Describe how events in Russia1914-17 led to the downfall of the Tsar Nicholas II

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John Garvey        Page         01/05/2007

Describe how events in Russia 1914-17 led to the downfall of the Tsar Nicholas II

On 2nd March 1917 Tsar Nicholas II signed an act of abdication, and the 300 year old period of the Romanovs effectively came to an end. Less than two weeks earlier, the prospect of such an outcome had seemed unlikely. However political pressure had been built up even before then with events causing a strain before 1914. The start of the war had saw support for the Tsar which was sorely needed. But as military defeats built up and economic suffering grew, the survival of the regime saw little chance of survival.

    Events in the past contributed to the downfall. These things were not easily forgotten by the Russian people. The Russo-Japanese war was a result of increasingly expansion in Russian foreign policy in the East; intended as a way to increase the respect of the autocracy at home and abroad. But resulted in a humiliating defeat for Russia. This war marked the first time any Asian power had defeated a European power in a real war. With the defeat, Japan emerged as a major threat to Russian interests in the east and, in Russia, even moderates lost confidence in the old regime. The problem was that Russia could not fight a modern war and it still needed to play catch up in the world.  

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    Another old event was “Blood Sunday” in 1905. Peaceful marchers in St. Petersburg carried a petition to the Tsar asking for higher wages, a shorter work day, better working conditions, a legislative assembly, and universal manhood suffrage. Hoping reform would come from above. In reaction, guards fired into the unarmed crowd; when news of one hundred dead and hundreds more wounded escaped, public opinion almost universally turned against the old regime. People believed it was the Tsar who gave the orders and the “Little Father” image was completely destroyed. Women and children were killed and this caused strikes ...

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