The outbreak of the February/March 1917 Russian Revolution was mainly a result of the weak leadership of Tsar Nicholas II. Although other factors include the 1905 Revolution, social economic change, the Romanov rule (between 1906 and 1914), the effects of World War I and the policies of the Tsar and the autocratic government, is is proven that the main causes of the outbreak of the Revolution all stem from the Tsar’s inability to lead the Russian population efficiently.
The short-term cause that is seen as one of the direct outbreak to the 1905 uprising is the defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. Tsar Nicholas II and the Tsarist officials thought that their entrance into this war would distract the Russian public from the bad economic
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Tsar Nicholas II released this document in order to appeal to the masses. Tsar Nicholas II promised, in this document, to change the autocratic government and provide a national parliament (Duma) that would be elected by the Russian people of property and peasant communes. This document, The October Manifesto was a promise, and not legally binding; Tsar Nicholas II never upheld this promise, angering the middle class public. Although this could be seen as the root of the Revolution, this was a result of the Tsar’s …show more content…
Although he took charge of the Russian army, his lack of ability to efficiently command the military evolved into complete failure. The army had a shortage of ammunition, equipment and medical supplies, as well as poor leadership that also helped their defeats. Although the army had initially thrived, they had begun a series of defeats when the Tsar placed himself in command. Farmers were conscripted and trains used in battle that added to the food shortage. The Tsar was repeatedly seen as responsible for their defeats as it was his decision to take charge of the
This angered the Russian citizens which led to the Russian Revolution of 1905. On January 22, 1905, approximately 150 workers were killed by soldiers who fired on peaceful protestors, led by priest, Father Gapon, in Saint Petersburg. This event was known as Bloody Sunday and signified the beginning of the Revolution of 1905. Subsequently, several radical groups formed an alliance and organized several mutinies and strikes against the Russian autocracy. Left with no choice, Nicholas II issued a manifesto on October 30, 1905 that granted more suffrage rights, got rid of arbitrary arrest without a trial, and provided for an elected legislature.
The three-hundred year Romanov dynasty came to an abrupt end during the Russian Revolution of February 1917, following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. There were many factors that facilitated the fall of the Romanov dynasty; a much debated factor among them was the influence of Grigori Rasputin considered as ‘fatal disease’ by revisionist historian, Michael Lynch that imposed significant threat to the Romanov dynasty. Rasputin 's influence over government posts and his rumoured relationship with the Tsarina was undoubtedly damaging to the reputation of the tsar, as people began to mock the tsarist regime at a time when it was already under immense pressure. However, the role of Rasputin in the fall of the Romanov dynasty was less significant
The Russian Revolution of 1917 marked the end of the Romanov dynasty and centuries of Russian Imperial rule. During the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks, led by leftist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin seized power and destroyed the tradition of czarist rule. Civil War broke out in Russia between the Red and White Armies. The Red Army fought for the Lenin’s Bolshevik government. The White Army represented a large group of monarchists, capitalists and supporters of democratic socialism.
(Background Essay) Before Vladimir Lenin came into power to rule Russia, Russia was ruled by Czar’s. A Czar was an emperor that the ruled Russia before 1917. The last Czar to rule Russia was Nicholas II. He was overthrown by Bolsheviks in the year of 1917.
This further demonstrates Nicholas’ naivety and inability to lead himself without relying on another person’s opinions, no less Grigori Rasputin. Nicholas’ poor leadership would eventually lead to a civil uprising as socioeconomic state of Russia was out of order and the people wanted change which was another key factor in the fall of the dynasty. The Russian people began to hear about ways of governing such as Marxism and communism and they no longer wanted an autocratic government for their country. To please his people, Tsar Nicholas introduced the “Dumas”, parliament groups so the people felt they had more say, but it would later be revealed that Tsar Nicholas would not be listening to any of their discussions and still having the final say. Finally, on the 15th of March, 1917, Nicholas abdicates his position as Tsar.
In document 3, it states, “Unarmed Russian men had to be sent into the trenches to wait till their comrades were killed or wounded and their rifles became available.” While soldiers were being sent to war they depended on a comrade's death in order to grab a weapon and fight themselves. Soldiers going into war not provided with weapons shows how Russia was industrially behind and careless. In document 10, it states, “Last spring we had not ploughs enough to do the needed ploughing, and that is we do not have crops. There is not enough rye in the district to take us through the winter, let alone to feed the towns.”
“The czar refused to listen to demands for political change and in October, a general strike occurred as workers in the railways, industry and the banks stopped working” (document 3) A strike occurred because the czar didn’t listen to political concerns. This shows how unpleasant people were with the government. This can lead to the overthrow of the Russian monarchy. In document 3 it states, “...when a peaceful demonstration of 200,00 men, women and children in front of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg calling for reform was ended by the police and troops guarding the palace” Many people were unhappy with the Russian government and the fact the police were involved suggests how the government was willing to use force to stop political
Furthermore, Nicholas allowed his country to enter two wars, the Russo-Japanese war and WWI, Russia being ill-prepared for the wars both times. The battles did not go well in either of the wars and his actions dealt great suffering to the people of Russia, especially the minority, or lower class. Although his country was in peril and he knew it, he refused to implement reforms. Tsar Nicholas II truly wanted to aid his country although his inexperience did not allow him to do so. Hence, this led to the murder of his family and the end of 3 centuries of Romanov ruling when the Bolsheviks took power of Russia.
With no signs of the czar’s attempt to solve the complications, Russia banded together and filled the streets with strikes and riots. A revolution was peaking among the peasants. The uprising brought Nicholas ll no choice but to abdicate his throne. This was an opportunity
The Russians Fight Back Three outcome and causes of the Russian revolution were the large amount of peasant population, Russia joined the war when they knew that they couldn’t even pull their own weight, and communism took over Russia. The tsar joined the war thinking that he would gain nationalism and patriotism from the peasants.(doc.1).He thought that all the people would rush to sign up to fight for their country and support the tsar. The first months after joining the war were disastrous. The tsar had to steal from his people to give to the troops who had very little supplies.
When the time came, and Lenin felt that it is suitable to take action, it can be argued that he did not look at Marx for answers, but due to his practical nature, preferred looking at the state that Russia was in, and based his actions on that. This was because Lenin felt that the world had changed since Marx’s time, primarily due to the development of
The Russian Revolution is a governmental overthrow of a ruling that took place in the early twentieth century. Prior to the revolution, Russia was ruled by Czar Nicholas II who was a part of the last reigning Russian monarch, the Tsar. The Tsar had complete power in Russia as he owned much of the land, commanded the army, and controlled the church. During the reign of the Tsar, the Russian citizens were treated badly and unfair. They experienced vigorous labor in dangerous conditions for little pay and were without food and money countless times.
The Russian Revolution, which was started by Lenin and his followers, was a rebellion that occurred in 1917 which forced higher powers to act to the needs of the lower class. For instance, many citizens were worried for their protection in consequence to the lack of survival necessities due to an early drought. Furthermore, their current czar during the time was incapable for his position as a czar and made horrendous decisions as czar. For example, when the czar, Nicholas, entered in World War I, he sent untrained troops into countless battles of failure which costed in mass amounts of lost life (paragraph 23).
By doing this, they overthrown the poorly run government as the Russian people were in favour of a new system that would work in their favour. The Russian Revolution was triggered by the social, political and economic problems, that combined caused the Russian people to rebel. This Revolution was triggered by the poverty of the Russian people, the loss from the wars, the sneakiness of Rasputin and the failure of the Tsar, Nicholas II. The social causes of the Russian Revolution arose from centuries of oppression towards the lower classes.
The Outbreak of Revolution "I have a dream" is one of the most influential sentences in history, said by Martin Luther King, the famous revolutionary who called for justice and equality. Revolution is a historical process and the main reason for a new world appearing. Politically, revolution means changing or overthrowing the old regime to make a complete change in society and fundamental institutions. In other words, changing the current oppressive system to a new, fair, and impartial political system to provide all rights, freedom, and renaissance society. However, revolution sometimes has a negative effects on the country and the citizens.