Analyse the short and long term causes of the 1917 Feb/March Russian Revolution

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Analyse the short and long term causes of the 1917 Feb/March Russian Revolution

 

The Russian Revolution of 1917 remains the only example of a successful revolution in which urban workers played a major role though questions remain over the role.

There were many factors which triggered the 1917 Revolution, some laid the foundation for a rebellion, and there was one factor which sparked the population to rebel. There was an increase in opposition between the liberals and the revolutionaries and that was a main factor in a developing conflict within the Russian people which lead to an outbreak in Russia, as the parties highlighted the instability of the government through propaganda, and they were able to gather huge armies to support allow the revolution to happen.

A catalyst, to speed up the outbreak was reasons such as the impact of role of the Duma and Liberals, Bread Riots and Demonstrations.

 

Through various military factors, Russia was led to a revolution by the long term and short term causes. By the end of 1916 the impact of war onRussia’s relatively untrained peasant conscript army had reached disastrous proportions. Estimated suggested 1.7 million dead, 8 million wounded and 2.5 million prisoners of war. The impact on the war really wound the loyalty of the Imperial of Army causing a tension towards the government. Rapidly trained draftees were often peasants who were insufficiently trained and led by inexperienced officers whom were normally members of the intelligentsia class. There was poor morale spread throughout the army and at home, and that was heightened by inadequate supplied, equipment food and clothing. Turkey’s entry to the war closed the Dardanelle Staits, which had been the major route for supplying Russia from the West. Due to this Russian industry and raw materials could not meet the army’s demands for weapons, boots, clothing and munitions. Improvements in the organisation of industry led to some improvement in 1916 but there was a growing anxiety between the soldiers and the officers ‘The behaviour of the soldiers, especially in the units located in the rear, is most challenging. They openly accuse military authorities of corruption, cowardice, drunkenness and even treason…” – M. Florinsky in ‘The End of the Russian Empire’ The soldiers began to demand for peace. However the army continued to be obeying and continued fighting, the disillusionment was felt more by those in the rear. Nicholas added to the problem by allowing a number of exemptions amongst the more privileged group in society – the educated, wealthy groups, and skilled industrial workers. His meant that most of the conscripts were peasants and they became increasingly responsive to revolutionary propaganda. By 1917 mass surrenders and desertions had become one sign of the army’s demoralisation particularly amongst units stationed rear. This was a long term factor, as it was the beginning of a rebellion, as the peasants in the army were not happy by their treatment.

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Through various political factors, Russia was led to a revolution by the long term and short term causes. There has been some reconsideration of the part played by the revolutionary and liberal parties in Russia 1917, but long term they were seen as having a role in the events leading to the revolution in February. The contribution of the revolutionary opposition played its role by providing propaganda, which helped undermine people’s loyalty to Tsarism. The very presence of the Revolutionaries frightened the government into repressing the Russians even more which therefore further alienated support for it. The Revolutionaries were able to show ...

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