2.3 - The February Revolution in Petrograd

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Causes of the February Revolution

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we will explore the causes of the February Revolution. Can anyone tell me what led to the unrest in Petrograd?

Student 1
Student 1

Was it mainly about food shortages?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Food shortages were a significant trigger. Can anyone summarize what the living conditions were like at that time?

Student 2
Student 2

Workers faced long hours and low wages, right? They struggled to feed their families.

Teacher
Teacher

"Correct! The culmination of poor living conditions and economic stress was palpable. Remember the acronym 'F.A.C.E.' to recall:

Key Events of the Revolution

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's discuss the key events during the February Revolution. What significant actions took place?

Student 1
Student 1

The protests began with women participating on International Women’s Day.

Student 4
Student 4

And there were strikes at many factories!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It was a mass mobilization. How did the government react to these protests?

Student 2
Student 2

They tried to enforce a curfew and sent the cavalry to control the crowds.

Teacher
Teacher

"Right. This led to military mutinies, where soldiers began siding with the demonstrators. Remember the phrase 'M.M.I.' for:

The Outcome of the Revolution

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's discuss what happened right after the abdication of the Tsar. What were the immediate outcomes?

Student 2
Student 2

The Provisional Government was established, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The new government aimed to create a democratic system, but why was this problematic?

Student 4
Student 4

They were still facing huge issues like the war and social unrest.

Teacher
Teacher

"Exactly. Even though the Duma members aimed for reform, many factions created competition for power.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

The February Revolution marked a pivotal moment in 1917, where rising discontent among workers and soldiers led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of the Provisional Government.

Standard

In February 1917, Petrograd was gripped by severe food shortages and unrest. A series of strikes and demonstrations, led mainly by women workers, culminated in large-scale protests that overwhelmed the government, resulting in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II. The revolution laid the foundation for the establishment of a Provisional Government while significant social and political changes unfolded in Russia.

Detailed

The February Revolution in Petrograd

The February Revolution was a significant uprising in Russia that began in Petrograd in February 1917. The protest was primarily driven by dire social conditions, including severe food shortages exacerbated by a harsh winter. The working class of Petrograd, especially women, played a crucial role in the protests leading to revolutionary changes.

Key Events Leading to the Revolution

  1. Food Shortages and Strikes: Workers faced extreme hardship with dwindling food supplies, which ignited unrest. On February 22, a key factory experienced a lockout, catalyzing strikes across 50 factories the following day.
  2. International Women’s Day: Demonstrations on February 23, coinciding with International Women’s Day, became a focal point where women led protests demanding bread and better working conditions.
  3. Escalation of Protests: As the protests grew, many joined forces to march towards the Nevsky Prospekt, the main thoroughfare in Petrograd. Despite the government imposing a curfew and mobilizing police, the crowd remained resolute.
  4. Government Response: The situation escalated when on February 25, the government suspended the Duma, provoking even more outrage and leading to ransacking of police headquarters on February 27, where a significant shift started to occur.
  5. Military Mutiny: Troops initially ordered to quell the protests ultimately sided with the demonstrators. Soldiers began mutinying and voiced support for the workers, culminating in the formation of the Petrograd Soviet by February 28.
  6. Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II: Facing insurmountable pressure, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on March 2. This event effectively ended centuries of Romanov rule, leading to the establishment of a Provisional Government comprised of Duma members and leaders from various political groups.

Significance

The February Revolution was essential as it dismantled the autocracy in Russia and set the stage for subsequent political transformations, leading to the October Revolution later in 1917. It illustrated the power of collective action among workers, particularly women, and highlighted the growing discontent with the monarchy, laying the groundwork for fundamentally different governance in Russia.

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Audio Book

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Conditions in Petrograd

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In the winter of 1917, conditions in the capital, Petrograd, were grim. The layout of the city seemed to emphasise the divisions among its people. The workers’ quarters and factories were located on the right bank of the River Neva. On the left bank were the fashionable areas, the Winter Palace, and official buildings, including the palace where the Duma met. In February 1917, food shortages were deeply felt in the workers’ quarters. The winter was very cold – there had been exceptional frost and heavy snow.

Detailed Explanation

The winter of 1917 in Petrograd was extremely harsh, affecting the living conditions of the people, especially the workers. The city itself was divided along social lines; workers lived in less affluent areas while the wealthy resided in more luxurious parts. The combination of severe food shortages and cold weather heightened the discontent among workers, leading to increased frustration with the ruling government.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a town where two neighborhoods exist: one with well-kept homes and gardens for the rich people, and another neglected and overcrowded for the workers. If a blizzard hits the town, the wealthy are warm and stocked with food, while the workers struggle to survive in their inadequate shelters. This inability to meet basic needs during a harsh winter creates anger and resentment, comparable to the situation in Petrograd.

The Initial Strikes

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On 22 February, a lockout took place at a factory on the right bank. The next day, workers in fifty factories called a strike in sympathy. In many factories, women led the way to strikes. This came to be called the International Women’s Day. Demonstrating workers crossed from the factory quarters to the centre of the capital – the Nevskii Prospekt.

Detailed Explanation

The unrest began with a factory lockout, prompting workers to protest in solidarity. Notably, women played a significant role in these initial strikes, marking the International Women's Day, which highlighted their influence in the labor movement. This collective action saw workers moving from poorer neighborhoods towards central areas, demonstrating their unity and rising discontent against the government.

Examples & Analogies

Think about a team in a company that starts protesting because their work conditions are terrible. One employee initiates the action, inspiring others to join. As the protest grows, it moves to a central company location to draw more attention. Just as this situation escalates, the women's strikes began transforming into a powerful movement.

Government Response

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At this stage, no political party was actively organising the movement. As the fashionable quarters and official buildings were surrounded by workers, the government imposed a curfew. Demonstrators dispersed by the evening, but they came back on the 24th and 25th. The government called out the cavalry and police to keep an eye on them.

Detailed Explanation

At this point, the protests were organic, lacking strong political leadership or organization. The government response included enforcing a curfew to suppress the growing crowd. Despite this, demonstrators returned, indicating their determination. The use of military forces like cavalry and police showcased the government’s attempt to restore order through intimidation.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a city where crowds gather to protest unfair laws. The city officials might impose a curfew to control the situation. However, the protesters feel strongly about their cause and return to the streets regardless. The government might then send in police, similar to how cavalry was used, to try to forcefully quiet the dissent.

Escalation of Protests

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On Sunday, 25 February, the government suspended the Duma. Politicians spoke out against the measure. Demonstrators returned in force to the streets of the left bank on the 26th. On the 27th, the Police Headquarters were ransacked. The streets thronged with people raising slogans about bread, wages, better hours and democracy.

Detailed Explanation

The government's decision to suspend the Duma was a critical turning point, as it triggered even more protests. As police headquarters were attacked, public anger was now directed at the government itself, with demonstrators voicing demands for basic rights like food and fair wages. This shift from strikes for labor rights to broader calls for democracy marked a significant escalation in the movement.

Examples & Analogies

This situation can be likened to a school where students protest for better lunch options, but when the principal decides to cancel the student council, the protests turn into broader demands for a say in school governance. The simple issue of lunches then evolves into a fight for students' rights and representation.

The Turning Point

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The government tried to control the situation and called out the cavalry once again. However, the cavalry refused to fire on the demonstrators. An officer was shot at the barracks of a regiment and three other regiments mutinied, voting to join the striking workers. By that evening, soldiers and striking workers had gathered to form a ‘soviet’ or ‘council’ in the same building as the Duma met. This was the Petrograd Soviet.

Detailed Explanation

A monumental change occurred when the cavalry, instead of repressing the protests, sided with the demonstrators. This event symbolized a significant shift in loyalty from the government to the people. The united efforts of soldiers and workers led to the formation of the Petrograd Soviet, a council representing the interests of the strikers, which indicated a challenge to the Tsar's rule.

Examples & Analogies

Think about a situation where police officers start siding with protestors instead of enforcing the law against them. This change in allegiance energizes the protest and can lead to the formation of a new collective body that represents the voices of the previously oppressed, just as the Petrograd Soviet emerged during the revolution.

The Abdication of the Tsar

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The very next day, a delegation went to see the Tsar. Military commanders advised him to abdicate. He followed their advice and abdicated on 2 March. Soviet leaders and Duma leaders formed a Provisional Government to run the country. Russia’s future would be decided by a constituent assembly, elected on the basis of universal adult suffrage. Petrograd had led the February Revolution that brought down the monarchy in February 1917.

Detailed Explanation

After the formation of the Petrograd Soviet, the message of the unrest reached Tsar Nicholas II, who was advised by military leaders to step down to prevent further bloodshed. He abdicated on March 2, marking the end of the monarchy in Russia. Following this, leadership was taken over by both Soviet and Duma representatives, who intended to establish a more democratic government through elections.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a sports team coach who realizes his strategies are drastically failing. Listen to the players’ calls for change and decide to step down to allow for a new leadership that promises a better chance at victory. This story parallels the Tsar's abdication, allowing for a potential new beginning.

Role of Women in the Revolution

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Women workers, often ... inspired their male co-workers … At the Lorenz telephone factory, … Marfa Vasileva almost single handedly called a successful strike. Already that morning, in celebration of Women’s Day, women workers had presented red bows to the men …

Detailed Explanation

Women played a crucial and transformative role during the February Revolution. Marfa Vasileva's actions at the Lorenz telephone factory exemplify how women not only participated in the protests but often led them. Their leadership inspired male colleagues to join the cause, emphasizing the importance of their contributions in demanding change.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a situation where a woman in a workplace stands up against unfair treatment and encourages her coworkers, both men and women, to join her. Her courage can rally a team and spark a larger movement for change, similar to how women like Marfa inspired the strikers during the February Revolution.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Abdication of Tsar Nicholas II: The event that ended Romanov rule in Russia.

  • February Revolution: A series of protests and strikes leading to the fall of the monarchy.

  • Petrograd: The capital city where the revolution primarily took place.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • The spam of a food shortage, leading workers to go on strike.

  • Women leading the initial demonstrations on International Women’s Day.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In February, the people shout, 'We want bread, we want out!'

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once upon a time in Petrograd, bread was scarce, and the women rose to lead. Their calls for change sparked the abdication of a king.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • F.A.C.E. - Food shortages, Absenteeism, Conditions poor, Economic troubles.

🎯 Super Acronyms

M.M.I. - Marching crowds, Military mutinies, Impact on the Tsar.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Provisional Government

    Definition:

    The temporary government established after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

  • Term: Petrograd Soviet

    Definition:

    A council of workers and soldiers that emerged during the February Revolution.

  • Term: International Women’s Day

    Definition:

    A global celebration on March 8 that marked key protests in Petrograd.