People's Hardships Short Term O The Tzar example essay topic

491 words
Causes: - Long Term o The Tzar's deliberate flouting of his 1905 promises o Stolypin's Reforms - increases awareness among the people and made them demand for more freedom. o Increasing influence of Rasputin o Oppositional parties critical to the Tzar were increasing & reviving. Offered the Peasants something better. o Autocracy - nearby Europe transformed into liberalism & republicanism. o The Tzar was a weak man Easily influenced by his officers Did not actually witness the People's Hardships (Only read it on paper) Short Term o The Tzar expected World War 1 to be a quick and resounding victory for the Russians which would restore the people's faith in the government o Series of Defeats o Mass Desertions o Tzar made a mistake in appointing himself Commander in Chief. Not a good military leader People could now blame the Tzar personally Left control to Alexandra, his wife o Under the influence of Rasputin o Rumored to have supported Germany. o Unpopular o War lasted till 1918 - 9 million People Died o The war was straining a badly integrated economy, exposing the weak spots of agriculture, industry & transport system o Food and fuel shortages Lack of trains The cold caused trains boilers bursting. o The winter of 1917 was exceptionally cold o No supports from the Army & police (Cossacks open fire) o No support from DUMA Did not listen to the DUMA when there was still time o Anti - War propaganda by opposition Events 7th March The managers of the Putilov Steel Works locked out their 20,000 workers after pay talks broke down. Workers were now in mood of trouble.

8th March 50 Factories, 90 000 workers on strike. International Woman's Day Women on streets, demonstrating. 9th March 200 000 workers on strike 10th March No public transport & Newspapers Cossacks refused to attack a procession of strikers 11th March Duma sends a telegram to tell the Tzar that the situation is serious. The Tzar's response Duma to stop meeting.

12th March Evening - Duma holds a meeting. It sets up a 12 man committee called the Provisional Government to take over. 14th March Leading army generals send a telegram informing Nicholas that none of the army supported him. Nicholas, 500 km away from headquarters, now made a desperate attempt to return to Petrograd. 15th March Nicholas, now 250 km away from Petrograd where revolutionaries had halted his train to abdicate. Nature o Spontaneous reaction to the chaotic situation. o Outburst of anger. o Mass uprising o Developed a political undertone. o Worker's revolt o Mutiny of peasants Results o The royal family was taken prisoner and the Tsar was forced to abdicate. o Rivals for power - Duma & Petrograd Soviets. o Duma comes to power and sets up a 12-man committee called the Provisional Government To have a constituent assembly in November.