Topic A Analysis: Two Revolutions in Russia in 1917 Introduction to the Topic: The two revolutions that took place

in 1917 were: the March Revolution (or February Revolution in the O.S. calendar) and the November Revolution (or October Revolution in the O.S. calendar). These two revolutions combined are known as the Russian Revolution (or the Bolshevik Revolution). Before we analyze both of these revolutions, it is imperative that we understand the events that took place in pre-1917 Russia. Before the March Revolution took place (in early March), there were numerous sections of Russian society *that+ had serious social and economic grievances (14). These grievances can largely be attributed to Russias participation in the First World War (14); in addition, these economic and social factors largely helped push Tsarist Russia from a state of crisis to a revolution (14).

What Caused the March Revolution?

Economic Factors: WWI destroyed the financial stability that had existed before 1914 (14). This led to high inflation rates that were greater than the incomes of the peasant workers. This led trade to become unprofitable, and they instead began to hoard it or use it to make vodka (14). Harshas Economics Lesson 1: People with low incomes often have more of their financial assets in the form of cash. Those who have high-income have cash, but also have much of their wealth in other real and financial assets. For the poor, inflation is more costly economically because it destroys the value of their primary asset (cash). The higher-income earners are able to reduce the effect of inflation by maintaining assets that actually appreciate with inflation. This growing inflation also negatively impacted firms and led to many firms going bankrupt (15). This created an increase in unemployment, while those still in work saw their real wages drop by as much as 30% in 1917 alone (15). Harshas Economics Lesson 2: The reason why inflation is bad for firms is because it creates uncertainty; the possibility of future inflation can discourage investment and savings in the firm. Furthermore, high inflation can create shortages of goods (especially if consumers begin hoarding their goods to make vodka) due to concern that prices will increase in the future. Essentially: less money to spend --> less purchases --> less revenue made by firms --> costs of maintaining a firm > profits generated by the firm --> bankruptcy.

Societal Factors: Russia had a backward agricultural system *that+ was highly dependent on both manpower and horses (14). The effects of having an unmodernized agricultural system were two-fold: it used both men and horses which, at this time, were needed on the war-front. After two years of war, over 15 million men and over 60% of horses had been removed from farming and the agricultural sector began to crumble (14). This is also what essentially caused the instability in the economy. Lets briefly take a look back at the inflation problem and how it relates to this agricultural deficiency. Firstly, we know that men and horses are being taken out of the agriculture industry and placed into the war front, what does this mean? This means that there are less men and horses to get work done on the fields. This inherently means that there are fewer resources to plant, pick, and package the food which also means that less food is being produced by these men (and horses) that run the field. This means that these farmers have

less food to sell to the consumers. When the supply of goods decreases, the price of those goods increases. This leads to inflation because the price of these goods far outstripped the peasants incomes (14). Since the peasants were not making sustainable profits, they were reluctant to sell their grain. This meant that was a fewer supply of food for army which by 1917, numbered over 36 million (14-15). This caused a drop in daily bread rations. Brainstorming! : Lets take a look back at WWI; we know that in 1916 another Russian offensive in Galicia exacerbated the already desperate situation of civilians in the war zone. Approximately 1 million Polish refugees fled eastward behind Russian lines during the war. Although the Russian offensive of 1916 caught the Germans and Austrians by surprise, poor communications and logistics prevented the Russians from taking full advantage of their situation. Poland was lost to the Germans in 1916 and they advanced to just 200 miles from Moscow. These events reduced the morale of the ordinary Russian soldier was extremely poor and desertion became a growing problem. Here are some questions to consider: How do you think that low food supply contributed to morale on the war front? Do you think that this decrease in morale and supplies affected Russians support towards their existing government and their need to rebel against it? War disrupted the transport system that allowed these goods to be transported as well, to the point of collapse.

Political Factors: The political and administrative machinery of Tsarist Russia was fragile, leaving the regime vulnerable to any serious crisis (15). Essentially (as alluded to above), reduced confidence in the undemocratic Tsarist state (15). Furthermore, Nicholas II assumed personal command of the army and left for the front in 1915. History Time! : Nicholas II (Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias) is the last successor of the Romanov dynasty. Under his rule, Russia was defeated in the Russo-Japanese War, including near annihilation of the Russian fleet at the Battle of Tsushima. As head of state, he approved of Russia's involvement in World War I, a war in which 3.3 million Russians were killed. The Imperial Army's big losses and the monarchy's incompetent handling with the war, along with other policies directed by Nicholas during his reign all attributed to the lack of public support, and the fall of the Romanov dynasty. As the government failed to produce supplies, there was mounting hardship creating massive riots and rebellions. With Nicholas away at the front in 1915, authority appeared to collapse, and the capital was left in the hands of strikers and conscript soldiers who mutinied against the Tsarist government. This left the capital and court open to intrigues and insurrection. Who in history believed that it was best to take military matters into his own hands; what resulted in his action of doing so? What Else? : Since Nicholas II was away from his throne, this gave rise to people like Gregori Rasputin who helped alienate the political elites who previously supported the Tsarist system. Till his death, Rasputin continued to draw the support of influential people away from the Tsarist system. By 1917, many people were too angry or too weary to attempt to save Nicholas II. Troops of the Petrograd garrison soon became unreliable (for the reason mentioned above) and many began to mutiny against the Tsarist government. This paralyzed the Tsarist system and led to what is known as the March Revolution.

So that is the explanation for the cause of the first revolution in Russia.so what caused the second?

The November Revolution

Doesnt really need an explanation, kind of a reiteration of the facets said above. The book does a good job explaining the November Revolution and what caused it, but here are some additional links to consider:

http://www.johndclare.net/Russ5.htm http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/russia/longtermcausesrev4.shtml http://www.st-petersburg-life.com/st-petersburg/1917-russian-revolution

Topics

A) Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917?

B) Assess the part played by Lenin in the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and in the new Soviet State through the end of the Russian Civil War.