Russian Revolution: Causes, Events, and Abdication

Russian Revolution: The Path to Change

Russia Under Tsarist Rule: Seeds of Discontent

His government was unpopular for several reasons:

• The Tsar held absolute power; there was no parliament. The country's wealth and land were primarily owned by a noble class, and the Church was firmly on the Tsar's side.
• Peasant villages were controlled by the ‘mir’ (local council), which interfered in business and had the power to decide what peasants were allowed to own.
• The growth of industry led to a large working population, but workers faced poor conditions and low wages.
• In 1905, Russia suffered a humiliating defeat by Japan.
• There were widespread strikes and demonstrations, such as Bloody Sunday. Workers marched to the Tsar's Winter Palace asking for better conditions, an end to the Russo-Japanese War, and the establishment of a Duma (parliament). However, the Tsar's soldiers responded by killing approximately 500 people. This event severely weakened the Tsar's image and fueled revolutionary sentiment.

Following these events, the Tsar allowed some changes and established a Parliament (the Liberal Cadet Party). This body sought to control taxes and compel the Tsar to fulfill his promises. However, he soon dismissed it, which led to the exile of many liberals.

In new elections, the Duma became more radical when the Marxist Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) won seats. The Tsar wanted to arrest some of their members, accusing them of terrorism. The Duma refused, and he dismissed it again.

The two subsequent Dumas obeyed the Tsar, forbidding the SDLP from running as candidates. 'Troublemakers' were now arrested, but the overall situation had not improved.

The Road to Revolution: Pre-War Instability

There was a significant reformist attempt, as everyone was aware of the country's deep-seated problems.

Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin sought slower, more natural industrial growth. He ended the control of the 'mir,' allowing peasants to rent or buy land to farm themselves. These peasants became known as kulaks.

The 'mir' system became less efficient when the kulaks left, causing problems in food supply.

To complete these reforms, they needed time, but Russia was heading into World War I, which further undermined the Tsar's authority.

Russia's entry into the war initially revived loyalty to the Tsar. People believed the war would be short and victorious, but they were gravely mistaken:

1. The Russian army lacked sufficient munitions, and leadership was poor. Russian forces were pushed back by the Germans, leading to a devastating stalemate.
2. Inflation quadrupled, and a severe food crisis emerged across the country.

The February Revolution of 1917

In 1917, widespread demonstrations and food riots erupted in Petrograd (formerly Saint Petersburg). The Tsar lost control, and when he ordered his soldiers to fire on the protestors, they refused, instead joining the rioting workers.

The Tsar abdicated, and a provisional government formed under the leadership of Alexander Kerensky. Russia was declared a republic.

Revolutionary parties were taken by surprise; this was a genuine people's revolution, fueled by shortages, high prices, and soldiers weary of war. This demonstrated that the government could indeed be overthrown. Among the emerging revolutionary groups was one called the Bolsheviks.