February Revolution 1917: Causes and Effects

Causes of the February Revolution

The February Revolution was provoked by Russian military failures during the First World War, as well as public dissatisfaction with the way the country was run on the home front. The economic challenges faced due to fighting a total war also contributed.

Short-Term Triggers

• The Tsar being away from Petrograd
• Contempt for the Tsarina
• The army's mutiny against the Tsar's rule
• Unusually mild winter weather
• Demonstrations in support of the Duma
• The International Women's Day march
• Industrial unrest and strikes
• Announcement of bread rationing and food shortages in Petrograd

Tsar Nicholas II's Response

Nicholas sent the police and soldiers into Petrograd to end the unrest. They opened fire on more than 50 people, which some people called the second Bloody Sunday.

Army Mutiny in Petrograd

On 26 February, soldiers of the Pavlovsky Regiment learned about the shootings in Petrograd. They started a mutiny, a rebellion by soldiers against the orders of their officers. They joined with workers and captured over 40,000 rifles and 30,000 revolvers. The mutiny made the fall of the Tsar almost certain, because without the soldiers' support, Nicholas' government had no real way of controlling the city.

Tsar Nicholas II's Abdication

In February 1917, strikes in Petrograd led to a demonstration. Cossack soldiers refused the Tsar's orders to fire on demonstrators. Nicholas' loss of support and weakening leadership led to his abdication.

Social Impacts of the Revolution

• There was an increase in weapons and ammunition thanks to the change of industrial production to military needs.
• Railway transport focused only on getting food to the army. Food couldn't be transported to cities, so it rotted.
• Inflation occurred, where prices increased faster than wages. The working class struggled, and the middle class had their savings, but they became less valuable each day.
• The countryside lost many working men; there were twice as many women in the countryside as there were men.
• In the first three months of the war, 150,000 workers lost their jobs because there was no work for them to do.

Political Consequences

• The Fourth Duma was suspended. As the war got worse, the members of the Duma demanded that it should be replaced by Duma deputies.
• When the Duma met again, it continued to be very critical of the Tsarist government and the influence of Rasputin.