Why was the Revolution of March 1917 Successful? (Cambridge International IGCSE History)

Was the March Revolution Inevitable? - Summary

Historians debate whether it was inevitable that the tsar would abdicate in March 1917. A significant factor was the First World War. The conflict created poor conditions in Russia. Food and fuel shortages caused mass protests in Moscow and Petrograd. With a proper government, these issues may have been solvable. However, Tsar Nicholas' command of the army left Russia without a leader. Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin ran a chaotic government with multiple changes of ministers. Local needs were not being met. The zemstva took more responsibility than the government for the health and safety of the Russian people.

Some historians argue that the First World War only dictated the timing of the March Revolution. They argue that Tsarist Russia had unresolvable issues. The misuse of the army, the empire's economic backwardness and the mix of nationalities would cause a revolution eventually. The First World War sped up when this revolution would occur.

Exam Hint Students often get confused with the terms 'St Petersburg'and'Petrograd'. Before 1914, students should refer to Russia's capital city in an exam question as St Petersburg. After 1914, students should use the term 'Petrograd' in their answers.

Events of the March 1917 Revolution

An illustration showing the key events of the March 1917 Revolution

Worked Example Describe what happened in Russia in March 1917

4 marks

Final answer: Answer:

In Petrograd, thousands of women and workers went on strike (1). Many Russians were unhappy with bread rationing and high unemployment (1). The Petrograd Soviet took control of supplies (1). On 15th March, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated (1).

Exam Hint For a ‘Describe’ question, you should aim to complete the question in four minutes, one minute per point. This will give you one minute to read through your answer.

Popular Support

• The March 1917 Revolution is known as a 'revolution from below'

  • This means that the workers caused the revolution to happen

• The revolution had popular support because:

  • The First World War had caused fuel and food shortages

    • The people felt like they had no choice but to protest

  • Russia suffered huge casualties *in the First World War

    • People felt less patriotic
    • They did not support the tsar's decisions as Head of the Army

  • People began to turn against the Romanovs

    • Tsarina Alexandra was called the 'German Princess'

  • Industrial workers were less religious

    • There was a lower belief in the Divine Rights of Kings. They were less afraid to challenge the tsar's authority
    • More workers turned to the Marxist parties

  • Twp groups could govern Russia instead of the tsar. These were:

    • The duma *- supported by the middle classes
    • The Soviets - supported by the workers and the military

Military Support

• The Russian Army was a significant 'pillar' for the tsar

  • Nicholas II over-relied on the army to suppress protests as he had done in 1905

• The First World War turned the army against Tsar Nicholas

  • They did not respect the tsar's military leadership

• Without the army, the tsar lost his power

  • He could not use his autocratic power without the threat of violence
  • Any future government would need the support of the army to rule
  • Many soldiers joined the Soviets, increasing their power in Russia

Soviet Support

• After Nicholas' abdication, there was confusion about who would rule Russia

  • Nicholas' brother refused the position, ending 300 years of the Romanov dynasty
  • Both the duma and the Petrograd Soviet wanted power

• After the March 1917 Revolution, a system of Dual Power replaced the Tsarist government

An illustration showing the concept of Dual Power

• Both government bodies needed the other

  • The Provisional Government needed the Petrograd Soviet for their influence over the Army and workers
  • The Petrograd Soviet needed the Provisional Government for their influence over the middle classes

Exam Hint Students often get confused between the Petrograd Soviet and the Provisional Government. Try to remember that:

• The Provisional Government represented the duma
• The Petrograd Soviet represented the workers