The February Revolution
Figes writes that “the revolution was portrayed as a spiritual renewal, a moral resurrection of the people.” As the February Revolution itself was “transformed into a sort of cult,” celebrated as “Glorious February” it significantly symbolises the euphoria which masked the difficulties of creating a new society. The lack of direction or control by revolutionary leaders – Lenin stated six weeks prior, “We, the old, will probably not live to see the decisive battles of the coming revolution” – demonstrated triggers of the uprisings, such as a bread shortages. It also foreshadows Kerensky’s inability to prevent the rise of the Bolsheviks and “to control events” (Figes) in the events leading up to the October Revolution. Additionally, the Provisional Committee was formed out of the Fourth Duma at this time, and would share ‘dual power’ with the revived Petrograd Soviet, which in fact created a notable “power vacuum” (Pipes) contributing to the October Revolution.
VIVAN
VIVAN
Due to the long lasting food and fuel shortages as well as two and a half years of total war, the February revolution began. With rioters foreshadowing this revolution in April and May 1915 as Petrograd and Moscow endured ‘food pogroms’. Other events such as the government ministers decision to ration bread, lead to unrest and protests as well as 200,000 people recorded on strike in February. At first ignored by the Tsar, Nicholas then ordered its dissolution which they refused and instead formed their own committee of 12 men on 28th Feb. The ‘Duma’ then sought to compromise the Imperial Army by asking them to reject the Tsar’s orders in Petrograd. The officers turned on the Tsar and instead of following orders to shoot the protestors, many refused and one even shot their own commanding officer. Nicholas finally succumbed to the reality of the situation and agreed to abdicate, signing a document in a stranded railway car in Pskov on March 2 1917.
LIAM
LIAM
On March 8, 1917, Russia’s February Revolution began with rioting and strikes in St. Petersburg (Petrograd). The unrest was triggered primarily by food shortages in the city, which were caused by the wider problems of a worsening economy and repeated failures on the battlefields of World War I. When the strikes and riots began, they did not appear to pose a threat to the Russian monarchy headed by Tsar Nicholas II. However, in the ensuing days, the protests grew and began to take on a different tone. In “The History of the Russian Revolution,” Bolshevik leader Leon Trotsky recounted, “The slogan ‘Bread!’ is obscured by louder slogans: ‘Down with autocracy!’ ‘Down with the war!’” Czar Nicholas, who had survived a revolution in 1905, did not have the widespread support of the Russian people. He ordered Russian troops to suppress the protests, but many refused and instead joined the protesters. On March 15, having lost control over his people and his authorities, the czar abdicated his throne to his brother, who refused to accept it.
With the monarchy out of power, leaders of the Duma formed a provisional government. It reached an agreement with the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies to rule the country together, but it was an uneasy alliance. The provisional government, first under Georgy Lvov and later under Alexander Kerensky, made the unpopular choice of keeping Russia in the war, further weakening its power. And contributing to the October revolution
PO
With the monarchy out of power, leaders of the Duma formed a provisional government. It reached an agreement with the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies to rule the country together, but it was an uneasy alliance. The provisional government, first under Georgy Lvov and later under Alexander Kerensky, made the unpopular choice of keeping Russia in the war, further weakening its power. And contributing to the October revolution
PO