Causes of the Russian Revolution

1
Causes of the Russian Revolution

• February 1917

2
Long Term Factors

• The system of Autocracy outdated, growth of
  industry exaggerated the division between those
  with power and those without, demand for
  parliamentary democracy was grown, based on
  hereditary rather than ability
• The personality of Nicholas IIill suited to
  role, indecisive e.g war but obstinate, bad
  judgement in appointment of ministers

3
Long Term Factors

• Alexandra and Rasputin undermined the Tsar,
  German origins sparked rumours of treason,
  Rasputin alienated aristocracy and illustrated
  ills of Tsarism

• Aristocracy and Rasputintraditional supporters
  alienated by Rasputin, considered replacing him
  in Feb 1917, refused to rally to Nicholas

4
Long Term Factors

• The growth of organised opposition rapid
  industrialisation were to aid the growth of
  groups
• Large industrial centres enabled revolutionary
  groups to target workers e.g. Bolsheviks
• However support limited and members of groups
  mainly concerned with economic change e.g wages
  also peasants made up majority of population
  harder to organise

5
Long Term Factors

• Industrialisation increased proletariat working
  in poor conditions
• Peasants taxed to pay for industrialisation via
  surplus grain
• Organised strikes and demonstrations led to
  collapse of system

• Land question and peasantry growing land hunger
  due to emancipation and population increase
• Still unsolved despite Stolypins reforms
• Failure to supply sufficient grain during war led
  to urban discontent

6
Long Term Factors

• Russification and discontent amongst minorities
  attempt to impose Russian culture/language on
  minorities was counter productive
• Increased desire for autonomy
• Growth of middle class desire for modernising
  system, spread of education although limited
  increase in critical opinion and opposition
  propaganda

7
Short term factors
Supply problems

• The impact of the First World War

Food shortages
casualties
inflation
Tsars role
8
Immediate Factors

• Demonstrations and unrest in the cities
  especially in Petrograd, driven by economic
  hardship mainly spontaneous rather than organised
• The attitude and actions of the army loss of
  faith and sympathy towards the demonstrators
  meant they refused to take action, they also
  persuaded the Tsar to abdicate