AH History: Soviet Russia

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AH History Soviet Russia

• The February Revolution

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A revolution that no-one expected, planned or
controlled.

• How valid is this view of the February Revolution?

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Before 1917
LONG TERM PROBLEMS IN RUSSIA Problems of
Identity Russification Lack of Political
Development Problems of Industrialisation
Distressing situation of the Peasants Range of
groups that were disheartened by the Tsarist
regime The beginning of new ideologies Repressive
Tsarist Regime
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Was the revolution expected?

• The People, particularly the intelligentsia,
  urban workers and peasants were not satisfied
  with the Tsar. They wanted a bigger role in
  government and more political power.
• The war exacerbated the already inadequate living
  conditions and the economy suffered due to a
  disruption of supplies.
• McKean- The Great War acted as the spark which
  set the combustible of mass discontent alight
• There were earlier predictions of the possible
  failure of the Tsarist government in a revolution
  if Russia suffered a defeat in the war. As
  Sazonov stated, the regime would find itself
  hanging in the air and Durnovo agrees with
  this In the event of defeat, social revolution
  in its most extreme form is inevitable.
  Therefore, it could be argued that the revolution
  was expected to a certain extent.
• McKean states that there was mass discontent
  among the people.
• Figes argues that the Revolution was born in the
  bread queues.
• By the end of 1916, even the generals told the
  Tsar that they would not support him, because of
  Russias inevitable defeat in the war and
  therefore they thought that by getting rid of
  him, they could retain their own power.
• Pipes The tsar yielded to his generals and
  politicians.
• The tsars credibility was ruined by his
  inability to run the country and his decision to
  put the Tsarina and Rasputin in charge.
• Briggs states that the Tsarina could not control
  the government or win back the support of the
  Russian people.

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• After the Tsar went to the frontline in September
  1915 and took control of the army, he was held
  personally responsible for the defeats in war.
• Brusilov Everyone knew that Nicholas understood
  next to nothing about military matters
• Brusilova We are already convinced that the
  Germans will win the war.
• M. Lynch argues that it was clear that Russia
  would experience a confrontation.
• Foyd agrees stating that the Russian people had
  already lost faith in their monarchy before 1917.
• Trotsky argues that Nicholas II inherited from
  his ancestors not only a giant empire, but also a
  revolution.
• It could be argued that the changes that occurred
  under the Provisional Government could be used as
  evidence of discontent at the Tsarist regime and
  evidence that a revolution could have been
  expected, as popular unrest had been evident for
  a while.

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Was the revolution planned?

• For many years, opposition parties had been
  hoping for a revolution. It could be argued that
  a revolutionary atmosphere has been in the air
  since 1905.
• The Liberals formed the Progressive Bloc, wanting
  to change the government to a constitutional
  monarchy. However, the Tsar would not comply and
  it could be discussed that the Liberals had been
  planning the Tsars downfall and wanted to reform
  from within.
• Socialist Revolutionaries had killed a Tsar in
  the past and therefore, it could be argued that
  this made it clear that they were capable and
  willing to do the same again.
• While the main leaders of the Social Democrats
  were not present during the February Revolution,
  local Bolshevik leaders had told the women to go
  home, because they were planning a big
  demonstration for May Day. This meant that there
  was a certain amount of planning and White argues
  that the Bolshevik influence has been neglected
  by other historians and downplayed.
• Along with political groups, there were also a
  number of workers groups and influencers, such as
  the Petrograd Bureau, Mezraionka, Schliapnikov,
  Shop Stewards and the Vyborg workers that wanted
  revolution.
• As Rex Wade argues the long awaited revolution
  had come swiftly, arising out of strikes and
  popular demonstrations

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Was the revolution controlled?

• There were a huge number of disparate groups, so
  it would be difficult, if not impossible, to
  argue that there was one leader or one powerful
  group that led the revolution against the Tsar.
• However, during the February Revolution, members
  of the Bolshevik Revolutionary Party were active
  in protesting against the Tsar and encouraged
  workers to rebel on the streets.
• Pipes argues that it was not a workers
  rebellion, but that it was the politicians and
  the generals who really made the Tsar abdicate.
• Whereas, Service contradicts him, stating that
  it was workers, soldiers and sailors who acted
  and that no revolution takes place without
  action.

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How was the Revolution spontaneous?

• The unrest was sudden. The march on
  International Womens Day began as a peaceful
  protest, but suddenly the atmosphere changed and
  a political protest began.
• Figes states that it was the new law on bread
  rationing that acted as a catalyst to further the
  discontent of the people.
• It could be argued that the Revolution was
  spontaneous, as in the past. the Cossacks and the
  army had squashed demonstrations and rebellions,
  but this time, the soldiers switched sides and
  joined the demonstrators.
• As Figes argues Even on evening of 25th,
  authorities could have contained the situation.
  He also states later that the soldiers sudden
  mutiny was responsible for the full scale
  revolution.
• Chamberlain argues that the February revolution
  was One of the most leaderless, spontaneous,
  anonymous revolutions of all time.
• Williams agrees stating that no political party
  organised the revolution and that Revolution
  developed from ten days of popular
  demonstrations, army mutiny and political
  manoeuvring.

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The February Revolution came more from below
than above Discuss this view of the origins of
the February Revolution.

• The essay should be split into the two debates
  Was the revolution mainly organised and advocated
  from the generals and the aristocrats or was it
  engineered and brought to life by the peasants
  and workers from below?
• BELOW Long term discontentment with tsarist
  regime
• Desire for more political power
• Bad living conditions and food shortages - made
  worse by the war.
• Corin and Fiehn the main push came from
  workers in the cities
• ABOVE Role of Guchkov and the Generals Krymov
  and Alexeev- Generals willing to overthrow Tsar,
  as he was responsible for the defeat in war and
  they wanted to keep their power.
• Various political parties- The Liberals,
  Socialist Revolutionaries, Social Democrats -
  wanted to overthrow the tsarist government.

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February was not a workers revolution it was a
mutiny, a Russian workers riot, unchecked by
weak government. Is this an accurate assessment
of the events surrounding the abdication of the
Tsar?

• This essay would lead to a discussion of what was
  revolution at the time. In the beginning, the
  actions were uncoordinated and they appeared to
  be spontaneous, but despite this, it quickly
  turned into a more politicised protest within a
  few days.
• Was there a lack of direction in the revolution-
  a mutiny of the soldiers?
• Weak government- Tsars role, his influence
  over the Duma and repressive control. Therefore,
  was the revolution a popular one?
• Was the revolution controlled and planned?
  Arguably, the main leaders of the Bolsheviks-
  abroad/exiled, therefore no political party
  organised the revolution. On the other hand,
  influence of the Bolsheviks invisible hand-
  shown through shop stewards and men on the
  street.
• Perhaps, not a planned revolution- just reactions
  from other long term problems existing in Russia
  and led by reserve troops and workers.
• Revolution from above or below?

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Why were so few Russians prepared to defend
Tsarism in February 1917?

• Essay could discuss
• The tsarist regime and the tsar himself- reasons
  for little support, attitude of the people
  towards him, his role in the war and how the
  Tsarina and Rasputins rule affected the people
  of Russia.
• Range of groups from opposition parties,
  peasants, the palace coup - Yusupov, that were
  disheartened by the tsarist regime.
• No advances towards a more democratic/constitution
  al monarchy. Duma overshadowed by Tsars
  repressive control.
• Economic situation, food shortages and inflation
  caused by war.
• Revolution on 25th of February and International
  Womens Day- evidence of discontent.
• Political influence- part of the reason that many
  people failed to support the Tsar.
• Army joins protestors and generals turn against
  the Tsar.