The document discusses the causes of the March 1917 revolution in Russia. It analyzes factors like the impact of World War I, economic issues, and lack of political representation. Domestically, Russia struggled with high casualties in the war, inflation, food shortages, and unrest among workers and peasants. The failure of the Provisional Government to address these issues led to growing support for the Bolsheviks and the second revolution in November 1917.

1. GCSE

2.  Why was there a revolution in Russia in March
1917?
 Why was there a revolution in Russia in March
1917? (2)
 What were the causes of the March
Revolution?
 Was the Provisional Government doomed
from the start?
 Why was there a Second Revolution in
November 1917?

3. Back to Contents
Effects of WW1 Domestic effects of WW1 Tsar Nicholas goes to the
• 1 million+ casualties and POWs by • Inflation front line
1914 • Soldiers returned • September 1917
• Many defeats • Unemployment • Tsarina (German) in charge
• Bad conditions • Food and fuel shortages • Personally responsible
• Ban of Vodka
Loss of support Revolution begins Army mutiny
• Resentment of Tsarina and • 7 March – 40,000 workers on strike • 12 March
Rasputin • 8 March – International Women’s • Duma in control
• Harsh winder in 1916 Day
• People wanted a say in • Tsar orders force
government
Tsar abdicates
• Tries to make deal with Duma
• Exiled to Siberia

4. Back to Contents
Long term Short term Trigger
• Tsar’s mistakes • Effects of war • Conditions in
• Economic on the army March 1917
situation • Effects of war • Crucial role of
before the war on the people the army
• Situation of • Role of the
peasants and Tsarina and
workers before Rasputin
the war • Lack of
representation
in government
via the Duma

5. Back to Contents
Introduction Before the War The War The Revolution Conclusions
• What were the • Economic causes • Effects of the • Conditions in • Was the War the
key events of the • How well were War on people March 1917 main cause?
Revolution? industry and • Effects of the • Crucial role of the • Were the failures
(define your agriculture War on the army army of the Tsar before
terms) doing? • The Tsar’s and during the
• How do you • Social causes mistakes War the main
intend to answer • Had the • The role of the cause?
this question? conditions of Tsarina and
the workers and Rasputin
peasants
improved in the
years leading
up to the war?
• Politics causes
• Were the
people’s views
being heard
through the
Duma? How
well was the
Tsar running in
the country?

6. Back to Contents
Temporary War Land Food Representation Political
government •Continued •Refused to reform •Shortages •Soviets Opposition
•8 months, 2 prime War, loyal to land ownership increased •3,00 members •SRs, Bolsheviks,
ministers Allies, need for •Peasants taking each – 1,000 Mensheviks, etc.
•Members of Duma supplies land illegally workers/soldiers •April Theses –
•Run country until •1917 offensive – •Controlled army, Peace, Land,
elections disaster leading to factories, railways Bread
disertions •Hostile to •Kornilov Revolt
•Key issues – War,
Land, Food •Mutinies 0 Provisional
Kronstadt Government
•Rival government Rebellion
– Soviets •Dominated by
•Kornilov Revolt Bolsheviks

7. Back to Contents
Conditions in Russia Mistakes of Provisional Government
• Mutinies • Continued war
• Revolt (July 1917) • Summer offensive 1917
• Increase popularity for Petrograd Soviet • Food shortages
• Land • Failure to distribute land to peasants
• Increase of opposition • Handling of July Days and Kornilov Revolt
• Failure to elect Constituent Assembly
Lenin and the Bolsheviks Trotsky
• Helped by Germans • Lenin’s right-hand man – Chairman of Military
• Finland Station Speech/ April Theses • Set HQ in Smolni Institute – made plans for
• September 1917 – Bolsheviks dominate take over
Petrograd Soviet • Controlled key areas
• Red Guard’s stormed Winter Palace
• Seized (later) Moscow