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Opposition to the Tsar and the February Revolution, 1917
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In early 1917 Russia's Tsar, Nicholas II, lost control of his country. In a few days of strikes and mutiny, 300 years of Romanov rule ended.
Discontent before the war
Most Russians were peasants who wanted more land. Factory workers in cities like Petrograd lived in crowded slums with long hours and low pay.
Nicholas II was an autocrat: he ruled alone and the Duma (parliament) had little power.
Nicholas II was an autocrat: he ruled alone and the Duma (parliament) had little power.
The impact of the First World War
Military defeats and huge losses turned soldiers against the war.
Economic: food and fuel shortages, rising prices, and railways too busy with the war to supply the cities.
Political: in 1915 the Tsar made himself commander-in-chief, so he was blamed for defeats. He left the Tsarina, Alexandra, in charge at home, influenced by Rasputin, who was murdered in December 1916.
Economic: food and fuel shortages, rising prices, and railways too busy with the war to supply the cities.
Political: in 1915 the Tsar made himself commander-in-chief, so he was blamed for defeats. He left the Tsarina, Alexandra, in charge at home, influenced by Rasputin, who was murdered in December 1916.
The February Revolution
In February 1917 (March in the modern calendar), strikes and bread queues in Petrograd became huge protests.
The decisive moment: soldiers mutinied and joined the protesters instead of firing on them.
The Tsar was away at army headquarters. His generals and Duma politicians advised him to go, and he abdicated in early March 1917. A Provisional Government took over.
The decisive moment: soldiers mutinied and joined the protesters instead of firing on them.
The Tsar was away at army headquarters. His generals and Duma politicians advised him to go, and he abdicated in early March 1917. A Provisional Government took over.
Explain why the army mutiny was so important in February 1917.
- The Tsar relied on the army to crush protests, as in the past.
- When soldiers joined the strikers, the government had no force left to restore order.
- Without the army, Nicholas had no choice but to abdicate.
Answer: Once the army changed sides, the Tsar could no longer control Petrograd.
Peasant and worker discontent plus the strain of war (defeats, shortages, the Tsar as commander-in-chief, Rasputin) led to the February Revolution: strikes in Petrograd, army mutiny, and the Tsar's abdication.
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