The Collapse of the Tsarist Monarchy in February (March) 1917 

   

Study Sources A to E and then answer all parts of the Question.

To answer the questions, use the Sources and your own knowledge.

In your answers, you should refer to the Sources by their letters. 

Source A

Petrograd at the beginning of 1917

The industrial workers are very discontented because of the impossibility of obtaining goods, the endless queuing, the poor housing and the lack of fuel.   All these conditions have created a desperate situation in which savage hunger riots are likely to break out.

from a Tsarist police report (early 1917)

Question 1a

Why was there widespread discontent in Petrograd at the beginning of 1917?   Explain your answer using Source A and your own knowledge.   (6 marks)

 

   

   

Source A

Petrograd at the beginning of 1917

The industrial workers are very discontented because of the impossibility of obtaining goods, the endless queuing, the poor housing and the lack of fuel.   All these conditions have created a desperate situation in which savage hunger riots are likely to break out.

from a Tsarist police report (early 1917)

 

 

Source B  

A cartoon published in 1916.

the words in the cartoon mean 'The Russian Royal House'.

Question 1b

Is Source B more useful than Source A to an historian studying discontent in Russia at the beginning of 1917?  Explain your answer using Sources A and B and your own knowledge.   

(7 marks)


   

   

Source C

Discontent in Petrograd

This is a hooligan movement.   Young people run around and shout that there is no bread, simply to create excitement.   If the weather were very cold they would all probably stay at home.   All this will pass and become calm, if only the Duma will behave itself.

from a letter sent by Tsarina Alexandra to Tsar Nicholas II on 26 February (11 March) 1917.

Duma means Parliament.

Question 1c

Is Source C reliable as evidence about discontent in Petrograd in early 1917?   Explain your answer using Source C and your own knowledge.   (6 marks)

 

   

   

Source D

Trotsky's interpretation of the February (March) Revolution

Who led the February Revolution?   We can answer easily enough.   It was the workers educated for the most part by the party of Lenin.   Petrograd achieved the Revolution.   The rest of the country simply followed its lead.   There was no struggle anywhere except in Petrograd..

from History of the Russian Revolution (1936) by Leon Trotsky.

   

Source E

Another interpretation of the February (March) Revolution

Most historians have concluded that the February Revolution was not planned.   the Tsarist government collapsed because of its own weakness and the problems caused by the First World War.   The Bolsheviks were not very active in the Revolution.   At the time, the Bolsheviks only had 25,000 members and their leader, Lenin was far away in exile.   He was completely taken by surprise by the news from Petrograd. 

from Russia and the USSR 1905-1991 (1997) by Philip Ingram.

This book was written for use in British schools.

Question 1d

Sources D and E give different reasons for the success of the February (March) Revolution of 1917.   Why do you think their interpretations differ?  Explain your answer using Sources D and E and your own knowledge.   (7 marks)

 

   

Question 1e

"The February (March) Revolution was caused by the defeat of Russia in the First World War."   Do you agree or disagree with this interpretation?   Explain your answer using the Sources and your own knowledge.   (10 marks)

 

   

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