For many revolutions people may argue different reasons why that particular revolution was caused, but there often one that is the primary cause. The Russian Revolution began February 1917, many people in Russia lost faith in their government, especially since they had not done so well to begin with when they participated in World War I. Which resulted in a lot of expenses. Others may argue that since Tsar was an unproductive leader and because of the decisions he made when he was in power that influenced the Russian Revolution. Although Tsar’s weak leadership may have influenced the Russian Revolution, World War I was the main cause of the Russian Revolution because it destroyed the economy, which led to riots and many people …show more content…
Russia struggled to provide food for its populations. Citizens took control into their own hands, Ludovic Naudeau wrote in October 1917, “One morning recently I was awakened by the cries of my neighbor in the next room. His boots had been stolen. The same day the manager of a newspaper office told me that he had been robbed six of pairs of pantaloons, … “Four hundred thefts every night!” he cried; that is the average for the last two weeks,”(One Aspect of Bolshevist Liberty). Russia could not even uphold itself because the economy was not successful compared to other countries. This led people to desire a change in the government; therefore this led to the Russian Revolution. People went to different maters to get what they wanted such as stealing since they were not getting the aid that they needed and they needed financial support. This caused them to protest against their government because many people from the lower class could not take care of their families. This cause led to a greater impact compared to Tsarist weak authority. Some may argue Tsar Nicholas weak leadership help contributes to the Russian Revolution but World War I was be the primary cause. Tsar Nicholas was not the best leader but that did not have a big enough impact to cause the Russia Revolution because his actions did not lead to as many problems that World War I had caused. World War I had a greater impact because it led to many problems within Russia that caused the citizens to be furious.
During the first revolution the political issues were a large factor for it to happen. With the Tsar leaving the country to command the army, the Tsarina was left in charge. This was a poor decision at first because the Tsarina was German and many people saw her as either a spy for Germany or having split allegiances so would make poor decisions and not consider what was best for Russia. The government became very unstable with the Tsarina in charge as she continually kept changing the ministers especially if they did not want to make decisions directed by the ‘Man of God’. On top of this the Tsarina took advice from a peasant called Rasputin, who was first Tsars Nicholas II’s sons doctor to try and cure his haemophilia. Rasputin was a advisor to the Tsarina and many speculated
Another reason for the fall of Tsarism in 1917 that was highlighted but not caused by the war is the fact that Russia was a difficult country to run. Russia's economy was backward compared to those of other Western countries, 4/5 of it's population were peasants, who were more often than not illiterate and lived in severe poverty. Although by 1917, improvements had been made to the
This led to instability in the government and resulted in people seeing reformist groups as an easy way to create change. And therefore people resulted in violence and uprisings put pressure on the Tsar creating a tense revolutionary ready Russia.
Tsar Nicholas II was one of the central figures to the Russian February Revolution of 1917 and secured the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. Nicholas II continued the regressive reforms of his father Tsar Alexander III, ultimately disenchanting the constituents from the neglect of longstanding grievances; he epitomised the fundamental problem of absolute rule, as years of suffering would eventually lead to revolution. His mismanagement and direct involvement in World War I undermined the already unstable government, causing his subjects to join radical movements to overthrow the tsarist regime.
Therefore, morale in Russia was not a reason why there was an outbreak of revolution in 1917. Nevertheless, the few military successes could not make up for the shocking casualty list revealed later on in wartime. Also, when the economic and military problems arose they could have been tolerable for the general public if they were encouraged by the people at the top such as the Tsar but no leadership was shown. Though this was a problem in Russia the morale in Russia was not too bad although people did begin to focus more on taking care of themselves because of the effects of the war on everyday life. On the other hand, the fact that central leadership was not being provided to the Russian public, criticisms began to be pointed directly at the Tsar. Nicholas failed in being commander-in-chief of the Russian armed services. He did not encourage war effort and did not prove to be the appropriate representative for the Russian people. In addition, the fact that he took on this important role meant that he was responsible for the wars consequences and the survival of Tsardom depended on military success. Due to the lack of success, Nicholas II was blamed and not his generals. This was a reason for the revolution in February 1917 to happen as it appeared to the citizens of Russia that they did not have a strong leader, also the tsarist system’s claim to the loyalty of the Russian people had been forfeited thus
The fall of the Romanov Dynasty in 1914 proved that the Tsar could not handle the problems of Russia. Ironically, he would have been ideal as a constitutional monarch, but was adamant against the idea. As the First World War started Russia’s problems arises, from short-term and long-term causes. The war brought back inflation which led to “demonstrations over food shortages combined with workers’ grievances,” (Hosking, 2012, p. 91) thus this destroyed Nicholas’s image as Father of Russia. Military became ineffective as the transport system was not adequate, thus leading to food supplies decreasing in key cities such as Petrograd. Historians believe the impacts of the First World War led to Russian society becoming unstable and was ultimately the main reason of the downfall of the Tsar. However other factors, such as the Tsarina placing large amounts of trust into Rasputin who was notorious for his reputation as an alcoholic and a womanizer (Westwood, 2002, p. 215) and the role of the revolutionaries due to Lenin promising peace, land and bread, eventually leading to the growth of the Bolsheviks Party. Although, it can most rightfully be deemed that the impact of the war was the main reason for the fall of Tsar Nicholas II in 1917.
Another reason for the Tsar’s downfall was the impact the war had in Russia. There was increased inflation and there were seven price rises from 1913 to 1917. As so many people were fighting in the war, there were not enough people to work on the land which meant less food. This meant even more starvation amongst the poor. The people blamed the Tsar for not doing enough to help
The first factor that led to the 1917 Russian Revolution and the communist government that followed was Russia’s participation in World War I. When Russia first entered the war in 1914, they were confident, but their economy and political and social states were not doing well enough to sustain a war. At the time, Czar Nicholas Romanov II was the leader of Russia. Russia had an autocracy for a government, which meant Nicholas had all the power. He appointed his cousin, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich, to be the commander-in-chief of the Russian army for World War I. Nikolaevich had never been a commander before, but Nicholas still chose him
During the 1900’s the Russian Government made it extremely hard for the Bolsheviks to progress which made them revolt against the government making this a prime matter for the start of the Revolution. The Czarist government was ostracized by the common people of Russia so Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown by the Provisional Government, whom later on were overthrown by Lenin and shortly after the Bolsheviks took control over Russia. Russia was hard to develop because of the major leaders who had control; Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky. Almost overnight an entire society was destroyed and replaced with one of the most radical social experiments ever seen. Poverty, crime, privileged and class-divisions were to be eliminated, a new era of socialism
Frigid. Famine. Bankruptcy. These are just a few terms that describe the Russian social problems during the revolutions that took place from March 8th, 1917 to November 7th, 1917. The revolution involved the people of Russia and the imperial family. The cause of this massive revolution was caused by famine, death, impending advancement, and corruption, especially within the government.
In analyzing the events of the First World War I will be able to fit the facts and information into how it caused the Russian Revolution. A diverse range of historians offer differing opinions over how effective the first world war was in the roots of Russia’s revolution. Economically, socially, politically and economically, the First World War constructed the stress imposed on upon the Tsarist regime.
The effects that came from the Russian Revolution
It is evident that Nicholas II was mainly to blame for the 1905, due to his lack of response to the growing discontent amongst the Russian people. Although it could be argued that the actions of previous Tsars were the cause of this discontent, and this was certainly influential, Nicholas ' failure to act upon his people 's requests was ultimately the cause of the revolution.
Revolution was part of Russian life. There had been uprisings and revolutions throughout its history. The 18th and 19th centuries saw a big push toward “Westernizing” the country but as long as there were serfs; Russia could never truly be Western. The serfs were the biggest dilemma that the Tsars faced. The happiness of a people can gauge whether a ruler stays in power or not. The majority of Russians were serf peasants, dependent on their overlords for their bread and board. Their overlord was dependent on the serfs, the Tsar dependent on the nobles for their devotion and taxes.
Since 1613, Michael I was elected to be the Tsar of Russia, the political situation has never been stable. Trace to the causes, most of them are power struggles among nobles and their armies, however large-scale public riots didn 't appear. During the year of 1905, the situation changed. People’s discontent has been accumulated to a critical point; the Tsar’s status seemed to be overturned. What led the Russian people, which was passive and cowardice, started Russian revolution in 1905?