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Causes of the 1917 February Russian Revolution
Causes of the 1917 February Russian Revolution
Causes of the 1917 February Russian Revolution
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Was World War One the most Important cause of the March Revolution?
Nicholas II the eldest son of Alexander III and the Tsar of Russia was born at Krasnoye Selo in May 1868. Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. Nicholas II signed his abdication on 15 March 1917 after the Russian Army High Command recommended it.
There are many reasons why Nicholas abdicated including, the financial state of the country, its wide and varied population and their dissatisfaction with the way the country was being ruled. As Russia was already in a weak state and the people had been suffering for many years, the First World War proved the last straw for the Russian people and whilst was possibly not the most important cause was certainly the trigger or catalyst for the March Revolution and Nicholas’ abdication.
When The Russian army entered WWI they were huge but poorly led and very badly equipped, there were not enough guns for everyone. They just had lost the war with Japan so heavy casualties meant loss of morale and spirit yet they were expected to go into war again. To make up for the losses in Japan they had to recruit peasants for their army. In a backward country with little money there would have been no chance to train the peasants to be effective soldiers. Their equipment and method of fighting was also no match for the German Army. The Russian’s were trained in charging at the enemy with bayonets, the German troops had machine guns. As a result of this, whilst the Russians were defending the German attack on Poland, half their army was destroyed. Going into a war with such little chance of winning, did nothing to make the Russian people respect Nicholas.
The decision that Tsar Nicholas II took in August 1915, to take over the command of the Army, lead to further problems. Being so closely linked to the Army’s failure in the WWI meant even The Duma began to loose faith in his abilities to run the country. Also, while he was away, he left his wife, Alexandra, and Rasputin, a monk who had physic powers who knew when Nicholas’ son was in trouble, to run the country. This was a bad decision Nicholas made because they constantly sacked Ministers and allowed the transport and food problems to descend into crisis. Also Alexandra was half German, when she took charge rumors spread suggesting that she was a German spy.
Tsar Nicholas II was a family man who put his family before the wellbeing of the country. In the Bloody Sunday scene thousands of people were marching to the Winter Palace to request help and protection from the Tsar because he was supposed to be in St Petersburg. However he was not there, he had gone home to tend to his son because he was ill. This resulted in the massacring of approximately 200 people who meant no harm . After his abdication in a conversation with his son Alexi he tells him that he abdicated for him. He tells Alexi, “I didn't want you to pay for my mistakes.” Whether this was the reason for his abdication or not the movie led the viewers to believe that everything he did was for his family. The leader of a country should make decisions that will be better for the country, not their family. He put the wellbeing of his family before the country which shows inadequate leadership that ultimately led to the collapse of the old reg...
Understanding the role Bolsheviks play in affecting Britain's soldiers and citizens during World War One first requires background information on both Russian interests and Russia's relationship to Germany. Russia entered World War One after Germany declared war against Russia due to an alliance system between Germany and Austria. The Russians had little success in repelling the Germans, illustrated by the disaster at Tannenberg where more than 30,000 Russians soldiers died (Sherow). Germany subsequently made large gains into Russian territories. Tsar Nicholas II had no choice but to abdicate the throne in March 1917, allowing the Bolsheviks to take power (Sherow). It is very important to note that the Germans allowed "prominent Bolsheviks like Lenin and Trotsky" to pass by rail through their country "to start a revolution and knock Russia out of the war" (Simpson). Due to the Bolshevik revolution not completely coming from a democratic mandate from the people, Britain shows extreme suspicion towards Russian motives henceforth.
Nicholas II ruled Russia from 1894-1917 and was to be its final tsar. He ascended the throne under the impression that he would rule his whole life as it's undisputed leader. Accompanied by his wife, Alexandra, they lived a comfortable life of luxury while the country suffered around them. Nicholas was determined to rule as harshly as his father; however, he was a very weak and incompetent character who did not posses the qualities capable of guiding Russia through its time of turmoil.
I can use this source in my research project to defend why Czar Nicholas II is innocent to the abuse of power of the office of Czar.It reveales to me that even thouch Nicholas struggled with being the new Czar he truly did a lot for Russia to improve in learning abilities.Above all else, Nicholas loved Russia first and then his family; He thought the fate of the two was inseparable. No one knew the fault of the Romanov Dynasty better than him. Czar Nicholas sincerely felt his responsibility for the country, He thought that his destiny was within the country he ruled. I think it was really difficult for him but it was the only way to admit his mistakes and to say "sorry" to his people.
Rasputin and the Tsarina had been believed to have been in control of the Tsarist regime in the years 1914-17 during the Tsars absence in its entirety. But this was in fact not the case in all respects, such as the control of the armed forces, which were still very much under the control of generals as it had been in the time beforehand. Although Rasputin and the Tsarina seemed to have control over this, it was obvious that Tsar Nicholas II would not leave his army under the control of people who were not qualified, especially under the likes of Rasputin. Some people believe that Rasputin was able to influence the Tsar through the Tsarina who was highly fond of him for his ‘healing’ of her ill son, but this can be argued as wrong due to the fact that the Tsar, although he listened to almost everything his wife had to say, did not always actually use her advice in his acts as the Tsar, even if they could sometimes be persuading in his decisions.
It was Tzar Nicholas 2 political naivete and extreme obstinance that led to the downfall of the Russia
During the socio-economic adversity of the World War I, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated his throne and the 300-year reign of the Romanovs came to the end. Nicholas II faced copious difficulties during the holding of his monarchical sovereignty. There were both domestic and international obstacles during his time. Although it certainly was an unprecedentedly terrible circumstance for an authoritarian like Nicholas to rule due several revolutionary movements, he, himself, was actually self-destructive, and was responsible for the fall of the Romanovs. He was not a victim of history, but the victim of his on weakness. His weakness counts for the strong belief in God-given rights, the stubbornness to win the war, and his incapability. We witnessed Russia
Before the Russian Revolution, Russia was going through some hard times. In Russia, during the early 1900’s, there was a huge difference between the rich and the poor. There was a large number of peasants living in poverty. On the other hand, there was a restricted amount of people living in a life of lavish, who owned large plots of land, and had servants to tend to their needs. Czar Nicholas II was one of the few that was living a life of luxury, which angered the peasants. What also angered the peasants was a man named Rasputin. Rasputin lived with the Romanovs because he claimed that he had magical powers that could cure Nicholas II’s son’s disease: haemophilia. When World War I came along...
One of the most powerful countries in the 18th century established colonies across the sea. Great Britain established 13 colonies in North America as other nation started joining the race to own more land, causing controversy between both France and Great Britain. Great Britain finished, winning the war but ended with so much debt. Great Britain looked for a way to pay of the debts by establishing taxes on the 13 colonies. With the amount of power Great Britain had over the colonies, people started to go against them. The Declaratory Act of 1766 show the amount of power Great Britain had is the main cause of the American Revolution occur.
In this instance Nicholas did not understand the magnitude of his people's, more specifically the soldiers suffering while at war with Austria and Germany. Often times the war minister, Vladimir Sukhomlinov, misinformed Nicholas regarding the conditions of soldiers leaving the Russian army without food, clothing and weapons. Through this miscommunication, it left not merely the soldiers without defense, but the country defenseless along with them. As a result, “By the following spring, the shortage had grown so severe that many soldiers charged into battle without guns. Instead, commanders told them to pick up their weapons from the men killed in front lines. At the same time, soldiers were limited to firing just ten shots a day. Sometimes they were even forbidden to return enemy fire” (134). This was just one piece of the puzzle that led to the crumble of the Russian autocracy. Especially considering the fact that everyone could see their efforts for winning the war were dissipating all except for one, “. . . everyone in the tsar’s government knew it… everyone, that is, except Nicholas himself” (135). As shown in this instance, basic misconceptions can begin a ripple effect that has the power to put a country in
Few people had enough to eat or support themselves and were on the brink of death. On top of that, Czar Nicholas II, the leader of Russia, often abused his position in order to violate the Russian constitution called Duma and change laws to his own benefit and to help his friends and supporters get into the top governments. When World War One started, unlike most other countries, war production did not help get the country back on its feet. Instead, war production ensured that those at home in Russia did not get enough to eat while those fighting abroad got the food and supplies needed to fight. As agriculture’s worth kept on decreasing, more and more Russians left their country farms to work in weapon making factories and shops.... ...
Contradicting the Manifesto, the Fundamental Laws would reinstate the Tsar with absolute power and power. Nicholas II abdicated during World War One. in 1917 and his life was brought to an end in 1918. After Nicholas' death, the Bolsheviks took control of Russia with their Communist views and views.... ... middle of paper ...
In 1917, Russia was rocked by a series of revolutions, following the end of World War I. The country experienced great economic difficulties and famine, and the people became dissatisfied with the Tsarist rule. Tsar Nicholas II of the Romanov dynasty was abdicated, and on July 17th, he and his family, along with several servants were executed by the Bolsheviks.
There is so much that can be said in regards to the question “Why the Downfall of the Russian Empire? “ You cannot blame it on just a few individuals or because of any single factor, but you have to consider the historical and spiritual situation during the time Tsar Nicholas reigned. You have to consider historically development of Europe, its spiritual changes and also of course, the political aspects that had deeply affected the internal life of the Russian Empire and contributed to the downfall of the Tsar and the empire. In Russia, there were various spiritual changes that took place. Citizens began to turn away from their beliefs in God, and instead were influenced by new philosophical ideals and beliefs, many of which came from writers based in Germany. These writings had a tremendous influence on the Russian political life. Atheism was the new philosophy. The outcome was highly significant for Russia. There was a turning away from Divine Revelation and from the former attitude of respect and love for Tsar. Treason also was a key ingredient. From Germany, the Kaisers agents found Russian willing to collaborate with their plans of conquest, and used every means to influence supporters of the revolutionary cause. There were frequent, emotionally charged rallies, and much use was made of the press to exploit the revolutionary atmosphere being created. Rumors were encouraged and spread rapidly, and most citizens believed what they read, whether it was true or not. There was an fwere a German spy. Her Iapkaeokpamperial Highness Tsarirqtkoewna Alexandria, the empress and wife of qwettkgoeTsar Nricholas was accused of being a spy s born in Hesse, Germany. The war with Japan in 1904 didn’t help intrernal matters and the war wif Germany in 1914 caused Russia to lose some territory. Both of these wars severely damaged the economy of the Tsarist dEmpire, and the revolutionaries took advantage of these internal rand manipulated them to bsring afbout the efnd of Imperifrojqdqal governmentwnever been adequate and thrqfaunjnace war had reduced its capacity to transport essential supplies. The lack of food and medical supplies, which could no lrqrqiqcnonger be transferred from Western Europe rail, accelerated thafkoeakjorjnqe problems of the Russian Empire, and the Germans made safaeiijwure the trains did not get through to reach the needy people. The distress and anger this caused also contributed to the downfall of the Russian Empire.
The government and reform; the actual character of Nicholas II hindered his time in office, for example his outlooks on situations meant he did not trust a lot of his advisors, he was also seen to have been very lazy with respects to making decisions, other observations included him being, weak, timid and lacked guts. This all adds up to a very weak leader that is vulnerable to opposition, due to his tunnel vision and un-ability to see the main needs of the country. The duma was another challenge to the tsar; after the 1905 revolution the tsar had set up an elected body called the duma, this was a way of showing the public that he could be open minded in that delegating decisions to other people, looking back in hindsight this would also be seen as a challenge to the tsar as he never gave the duma any real power, and were easily dissolved, this meant that people were further angered and he was receiving opposition from all sides, it did however hold off opposition for a small period of time in order for the tsar to retain his power. Other individuals had an influence to the challenges facing the tsar, Nicholas had brought some new people in to try and conquer some problems, these included Rasputin who he had originally appointed to become saviour of family, he managed to influence the tsar in many of his decisions, this inevitably caused there to be conflict as the he was relying on Rasputin to relay details of the state of the country, these were not accurate which meant that tsar could not act upon opposition. Other people did help the tsar for example stolypin and his reforms.