The February Revolution 1917

1. The February Revolution 1917 It was becoming increasingly clear to many, except the Tsar and Tsarina, that another attempt at revolution was imminent. But why now? The Causes of the Revolution Shortage of fuel Shortage of food Military defeats Soldiers mutiny Hatred for the Tsar Contempt for the government Industrial unrest Spiraling inflation It was a combination of factors, as opposed to one particular factor, that led to the February Revolution of 1917.

2. The Road to Revolution Thousands of women March through Petrograd and call for an end to Tsarism 23rd February About 250,000 industrial workers were on strike 25th February Revolutionary soldiers invade the Winter Palace and hoist revolutionary Flag. 27th February 20,000 demonstrators March on Tauride Palace where the Duma meets. 27th February Alexander Kerensky, and Duma Deputies set up the Provisional Government. 28th February At the same time Bolsheviks set up a workers and soldiers Soviet Petrograd to govern Russia. 28th February The Tsar abdicates 2nd March

3. Dual Government The Tsar’s abdication left uncertainty over who was running Russia. This resulted in a vacuum of political uncertainty. The result was TWO groups attempted to take control … Problems The Petrograd Soviet The Provisional Government The Provisional Government The self-appointed Provisional Government assumed power with little difficulty and appointed a Prince Lvov led cabinet of ministers. It was recognised by the Allied powers and even the Russian military pledged its loyalty. The army took over the administration of the Tsarist bureaucracy which enabled the Provincial Government to run the country. Problems for the Provisional Government It inherited the economic problems of the Tsarist Government It inherited the failing war effort of the Tsarist Government

4. The Petrograd Soviet Order # 1 In all political actions, troop units must obey the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers Deputies….. The order of the Military Commission of the State Duma are to be obey, with the exception of those instances in which they contradict the orders and decrees of the Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies. This order was in direct challenge to the Provisional Government’s sole right to govern Russia. The Petrograd Soviet Was re-established as a spontaneous in response to the …. Increasing unrest Distrust of the Duma Desire to participate in government A Play for Power The Petrograd Soviet made it impossible for the Provisional Government to act without its support. News of the revolution spread quickly. German’s helped key leaders like Leon Trotsky, Joseph Lenin and Joseph Stalin return to Russia from other countries or internal exile. to Lenin’s first speech to the Petrograd Soviet upon his return, called for an end to the Provisional Government. He was jeered and many wondered if he was out of touch with the people. A Menshevik called Bogdanov commented, ‘It is obscene to applaud such rubbish. These are the ravings of a lunatic’.

5. Lenin claimed that ..… ‘the highly remarkable feature of our revolution is that it has brought about dual power.’ Alexander Kerensky, Minister of Justice in the Provisional Government admitted that the ….. ‘Soviets had power without authority’ while ‘the Provisional Government had authority without power.’ Despite the challenges the Provisional Government faced, it was able to agree with the Petrograd Soviet to hold a general election in November 1917 to form a new parliament which would be called the Constituent Assembly. Lenin’s April Theses Was a direct challenge of the Provisional Government. It called for ….. For all land and property to belong to the people For the purpose of propaganda Lenin’s April Theses was simplified to ‘Peace, Bread and Land’. For all power to be given to the Soviets An end to the war World revolution

6. The June Offensive 1917 Russia was by now a country in crisis. In affect Russia was not only at war with…. Other nations (WWI) Itself (Popular unrest) Russia’s war effort was going badly. In an attempt to turn things around Kerensky was promoted to Minister of War in the Provisional Government. Immediately he set about inspiring his troops and the Russian people to continue the war effort and to support his new military initiatives. In reality, Kerensky had no military rationale for what would be known as the June Offensive. Rather it was… “..dictated absolutely by the inner development of events in Russia.” He was worried that his soldiers would become a.. “..meaningless mob…” Because they were preoccupied with the destabilizing events back home.

7. It was politically expedient for Kerensky to go on the offensive. It was…. • Trotsky • By this time…… • The Menshevik Leon Trotsky was becoming the • most influential revolutionary leader. • In July, Lenin persuades Trotsky to join the • Bolsheviks. • They work together to insight criticism of the • Provisional Government. Popular amongst the people Supported by the Soviet One Soviet member was moved to say that such an offensive would... “..stop the disintegration of the army.” A British nurse noted that when Kerensky visited his troops they… “...kissed Kerensky, his uniform, his car, the ground on which he walked.” Unfortunately for Kerensky and Russia, the June Offensive was a failure! • The Provisional Government’s Response • It had little difficulty stopping the demonstrators • because they were not well organised. • In an attempt to undermine people’s confidence • in Lenin, they released information that Lenin • was being supported by the Germans. • Lenin flees to Finland. • Trotsky and other Bolsheviks leaders are • imprisoned. Further Problems for the Provisional Government Food shortages Machine gun regiment mutiny Workers at the Putilov arms factory strike 20,000 sailors arrive in Petrograd and demand the Bolsheviks become the government Bolsheviks arm factory workers and formed Red Guard squads Demonstrators chant “All power to the Soviets”

8. The Kornilov Revolt 1917 • Speech by General Kornilov • Commander-in-Chief • 28th August 1917 • “In order to restore the army, the Provisional • Government must immediately adopt the measures • that I have proposed in this report……that there • can be no army without discipline……Only an army • welded by iron discipline, only an army that is led • by the single, inflexible will of its leaders, only • such an army is capable of achieving victory and is • worthy of victory….” It is important to note that opposition to the Provisional Government was not restricted to the revolutionary left. When Kerensky became Prime Minister on 11th July he was determined to stop Russia’s slide towards chaos. He banned street meetings and demonstrations., General Lavr Kornilov Kornilov’s Duty He also appointed General Kornilov as Commander- in-Chief of the army. Kornilov’s was charged with restoring discipline to the army. This task was almost impossible given Soviet Order #1. Kerensky’s Dilemma He needed the support of both his military leaders and the Petrograd Soviet if he hoped to remain in power after the general elections to choose a Constituent Assembly. Kerensky was in a no win situation given that both groups opposed each other. It seems Kerensky mistrusted Kornilov. He used the threat of a Bolshevik revolt as an excuse to relieve Kornilov of his command and to place Petrograd under martial law.

9. Kornilov Revolts • Leon Trotsky • Was to note later that by the 29th August the • Red Guard had; • been formed in every district • People queuing to join • Been trained by experienced soldiers • 40,000 soldiers in readiness by 29th August Kornilov revolt was a threat from the right…. Kornilov took his dismissal as a sign that the Bolsheviks had assumed control of Petrograd. In August he mutinied and tried to take control of Petrograd. • General Kornilov Proclamation • “People of Russia, our great country is dying. Her • End is near…..the Provisional Government, under • Pressure of the Bolshevik majority in the Soviets, is • Acting in complete harmony with the German • General Staff….is killing the army and shaking • the country….(I) call upon all Russians to save our • Dying land. All in whose breast a Russian heart • Beats, all who believe in God, in the Church, to pray • To Him (God) for the greatest miracle-the saving • Of our native land. • I, General Kornilov,…..declare to one and all that I • Desire nothing for myself other than the salvation • Of our Great Russia, and vow to lead the people, • Through victory over enemies, to the Constituent • Assembly, where we can determine its future destiny • And the form of its future political life. • I cannot betray Russia into the hands of her • ancient enemy, the Germans, who would make • Slaves of the Russian people…” Kerensky’s Response Kerensky, needing all the support he could get, released Bolshevik prisoners and armed them. Bolsheviks, concerned that Russia might lurch back to the right under Kornilov, rallied in support of Kerensky and the Provisional Government. Many Bolsheviks believed Kornilov had….. ‘ the heart of a lion and the brain of a sheep’. The Bolshevik’s Lenin was concerned that in opposing Kornilov the Bolsheviks were not seen as supporting Kerensky. From a Bolshevik perspective it simply was a matter of supporting the lesser of the two evils. The reality was that Lenin and the Bolsheviks. wanted both Kerensky and Kornilov ousted!

10. At this stage the Bolsheviks were still in the minority, but not for much longer for they now…. Controlled the Military Revolutionary Committee Had the support of the masses The initiative was now in their hands. It was now only a matter of time before the Bolsheviks seized power.