1917 revolution:
remember FLOGER or GOLFER
F- failure of the 1905 revolution
L- lessons learned
O- overthrow of Romanov Dynasty
G- growth of revolutionary parties (Bolsheviks etc)
E- effects of WWI
R- Rasputin
Failure of 1905 revolution
• Failed to achieve any real change to the political system
• Tsar resented concession of Duma in October Manifesto and reasserted his control by issuing a series of Fundamental Laws on 2nd May 1906
• These confirmed Tsar’s right to appoint his own ministers, to legislate by decree and have complete control over foreign affairs
• Laws passed by Duma had to be approved before legal
• Half of the members on Imperial Council were appointed by Tsar and Imperial Council would share power with the Duma
• First two Dumas in 1906 and 1907 criticised the Tsar and were dismissed
• Tsar altered electoral law and reduced representation of peasants, small land owners and town dwellers
• Subsequent two Dumas were docile and conservative
Lessons learned
• Support of peasants was vital to the long term success of a revolution. Peasants’ enthusiasm for change dwindled as the year went by, leaving revolutionaries alone on the towns
• Alliance between middle class and proletariat was fragile. Willingness of middle class to settle for concessions in October Manifesto showed they could not be relied on to press meaningful revolutionary change
• Army remained loyal to Tsar and whoever controlled them controlled fate of country
• Fundamental changes in society would not come about by parliamentary means. Tsar’s control over Duma guaranteed that parliament would always be ineffective
Effects of World War One
• Early support turned to disillusionment as early successes at Gumbinnen and East Prussia and German defeats when Hindenburg and Ludendorff took command of the Eastern front
• Heavy Russian defeats at Tannenburg and Masurium Lakes, marking end of advance against Germans
• Russia ill prepared for modern war- by 1916 soldiers were fighting barefoot and only one in three had a rifle
• Economy began to feel strains of war
• Trade routes severed, inflation, shortages
• Shortage of labour when 15 million men mobilised
• Wages remained low but prices rose
• Discontent grew with 189 strikes in October 1916 to 268 in January to February 1917
• By 1917, army wanted peace at any cost
Growth of revolutionary parties
• Provided a forum for discontented people who wished to see political change
• Groups included Bolshevik party, the Mensheviks and Octoberists and Cadets
• Revolutionary parties and support continued to grow despite being hunted by Okhrana and faced with death penalty or exile
• As WWI exacerbated problems, the Bolshevik party, the best organised, swelled in numbers with their catch cry “peace, bread, land and all power to the soviets!”
Rasputin
• Came to their attention in November 1905 as staretz, wandering holy man
• Able ease Alexis’ pain from haemophilia earning him the respect of Alexandra
• Influence at court brought criticism
• Alexandra and Rasputin controlled the capital from 1915 when Nicholas was as at military headquarters
• He promoted his friends and supporters to positions of power regardless of ability
• Russia went through 5 interior ministers under Rasputin and 5 foreign ministers in 10 months
• He sent notes dispensing favours- to ignore the note was to invite dismissal
• Rasputin was murdered in late 1916, but his death could not undo the effect of his years of influence
• Even the extended royal family and nobles disliked Rasputin and the ease with which he manipulated Nicholas and Alexandra, and they realised change was needed
Overthrow
• Talk of removing Nicholas began in early 1917 from Duma and Grand Dukes or Imperial family
• Nicholas ignored demands for change and left Petrograd on 7th March
• A day later riots and demonstrations broke out over bread shortages
• With little understanding of the situation, Nicholas ignored warnings that there was anarchy in the capital
• Turning point of revolution on 12th March when over 10000 soldiers mutineered, refused to fire on demonstrators, shot the officers who issued the order and joined the revolution
• Order number 1 by soldiers and workers united to revive Petrograd Soviets demanding regiments submit to its authority rather than Tsar’s generals
• Duma formed provisional government, urging Nicholas to abdicate
• He abdicated on 15th March
• Throne passed to his brother Michael who also abdicated
• Russia now a Republic and Romanov dynasty ended
Obviously, you don't need to know every single tiny detail, but if you use FLOGER it shouldn't be too difficult to remember =]