RUSSIA

1914 TO 1917 SUMMARY Russian people generally greeted the outbreak of WWI with enthusiasm. The Tsar enjoyed a brief period of popularity and the Duma even put itself into recess until hostilities were over. Russia had been concerned about a growing Germany for some time and was also concerned about the Austria- Hungary Empire, especially with its interest in the Balkans area. When the Austria-Hungary Empire absorbed Bosnia, an area that contained many Serbs, the Russians sought to defend the Serbs (fellow Slavs). Russia aligned itself with Britain and France in order to avoid isolation. When the Austrian Arch Duke and heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand was shot by a Serb nationalist, Austria- Hungary moved to invade Serbia. Russia began to mobilise its forces hoping to bluff the enemy. When Nicholas II ordered the full mobilisation of Russian forces, he unknowingly led to wars outbreak. Germany planned to declare war if Russia mobilised, so it could quickly attack and defeat France and avoid fighting drawn out campaigns on two fronts (west against Britain and France and east against Russia). Thus, in August 1914 Russia found itself in another war. The war did not go well. Three years of bitter war proved too much for the Russian economy to cope with. The impact of the war on Russia can be divided into: Inflation- more money was printed so that it became almost worthless. Food supplies-the army got first use of food supplies and transport, so pressure mounted to feed the population. Transport-the railway system completely collapsed under the strain of moving troops and supplies over large distances Army-lack of equipment was chronic and the army was a victim of poor supply lines. Stories exist about Russian soldiers fighting barefoot as they could not get boots. Tsar-as Nicholas took full control of the war effort, he was blamed for the poor showing as many blamed poor central leadership for the many problems. He effectively set up his downfall. Morale-dispirited troops began to desert in larger numbers as the war progressed

The Duma recalled itself in July 1915 and urged the Tsar to change the way the war was being managed, including replacing some of his ministers with Duma reps. The Tsar did not listen. He also ignored the Progressive Bloc, a joint liberal group that supported tsardom, but wanted the handling of the war to change. While Nicholas was at the front with his forces, his wife, Alexandra, assumed considerable power. She was heavily influenced by Gregory Rasputin, a self ordained holy man who was hated within the Tsars court. He had helped their son with his haemophilia, and thus Alexandra brought him into her circle as a confidant. Alexandras German background made her a further source of suspicion. Rasputin was murdered by aristocrats desperate to save the monarchy. It proved, however, to be too little too late.

FEBRUARY REVOLUTION 1917 Events moved quickly in February, starting with large groups marching in protest of the Tsar and the War on International Womens Day, Feb 23. This led to further strikes in Petrograd. The tsar wanted protestors to be dispersed, and he ordered to Duma to be dissolved. A group of 12, calling itself the Provisional Committee, kept in session. Troops openly revolted and refused to follow orders, so order in the city broke down. Alexander Kerensky, a leading member of the Duma and SRs, called for the Tsar to stand down. On 27 Feb, a meeting of the Petrograd Soviet (soldiers, sailors, workers) was held. This group (mostly Mensheviks) joined the Provisional Committee in becoming a de facto government, or dual authority. The Tsars ministers started to leave the city. Nicholas decided to return to Petrograd, however, he was intercepted by high ranking military leaders and advised to abdicate. His brother, Grand Duke Michael refused the throne, so the Provisional Committee became the Provisional Government and took over the running of Russia. The Bolsheviks played little or no part in the Feb overthrow. Most of their leaders, including Lenin, were in exile. The revolution was also contained to Petrograd, with the rest of the vast country playing very little part. It was due to a combination of factors, with political, social, economic and military factors all playing a part. THE DUAL AUTHORITY The Provisional Government was not an elected body and its partnership with the Petrograd Soviet was tenuous. The Soviet had the ability to restrict the Governments authority, especially with their rule that all matters to do with the military had to be approved by the Soviet. There was some harmony earlier, but as the months wore on the Government moved more to the right and the Soviet to the left. The Provisional Government had some achievements, such as freeing political prisoners, recognising unions, reducing hours for industrial workers and granting civil and religious freedoms. They were unable to handle issues to do with the war and the land and these were the critical issues. At this time the exiled Bolsheviks returned to Petrograd and a new stage in Russias turbulent history began. Lenin was assisted in his return by the Germans, who thought that a revolution in Russia would be a good thing, as Russia was still bogging down a large percentage of Germanys army in eastern Europe. Lenin arrived in April and quickly condemned the Provisional Government as bourgeois. His April thesis contained 2 main slogans: Peace, Bread and Land and All power to the Soviets. The Provisional Government was having its problems, and it split with the Petrograd Soviet over the war. There were resignations and Alexander Kerensky took over as war minister. He was keen to continue the war with Germany, but large numbers of men were rebelling and deserting on the frontlines. In July, there was an uprising in Petrograd. It is unclear who was behind it but the Provisional Government was put under significant pressure. The Bolsheviks were blamed and many forced to flee, including Lenin. Kerensky, now prime minister argued that the Bolsheviks were being paid by Germans. It appeared the Bolsheviks were gone as a political force. The Provisional Government limped on, but made some crucial misjudgements. It did nothing to solve the land question. Peasants began to take over property of landlords and disturbances were occurring everywhere. Then, there was the Kornilov affair. He was a right wing general who had no faith in the Soviet system. German troops were advancing on Petrograd and the city was becoming

a shambles with war refugees and deserting soldiers. Kornilov swore to march on Petrograd with his troops and save the city. It became apparent that Kornilov intended to take over the city himself and remove the Provisional Government. Kerensky called on all loyal citizens to defend the city against Kornilov. Bolsheviks came out in defence and were given weapons by the very government they wished to topple! Kornilov never got to Petrograd, as rail workers refused to transport his army and he found out about the workers militia that were waiting for him. The Bolsheviks watched all of this and realised that the Provisional Government was vulnerable to military threat. Lenin was still in Finland at this time and he called on Bolsheviks to rise. History will not forgive us if we do not assume power. He slipped back into Petrograd and began seriously working on doubters within his party. In the end, Kerensky made the first move. He feared a Bolshevik attack so he launched his own pre-emptive strike on them. It was his actions that started the October rising. Trotsky must take great credit for the Bolshevik success. He was chairman of the Petrograd Soviet at the time and he set up a Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), to avoid any future Kornilov type affairs and to defend the city against the Germans. He thus had a legitimate military force at his disposal. When Lenin ordered the uprising, Trotsky directed his Red Guards to take over key areas of the city. There was very little resistance, simply because the Provisional Government had very little military personnel at its disposal. Kerensky escaped from the city disguised as a female nurse and settled in America. In late October all resistance to the Bolsheviks had left the city. The All Russian Congress of Soviets met and were informed by Kamenev (a Bolshevik), that the Bolsheviks were in control of Russia. He announced the 14 members of a new government with Lenin named as Chief Minister. The Bosheviks were now in power. The Provisional Government was never really able to assert control in Russia. Their continuation with the war and reluctance to tackle the land issues meant that they lost a lot of support. It always intended itself to be a temporary government until elections were held. Other political parties also supported the war, and thinking that the Feb revolution was a major event, they supported the Provisional Government. The Mensheviks were pro Communism, however, they felt that things needed to progress slowly and that the Provisional Government was an important stage. They did not, therefore, challenge the Provisional Government in any major way. The following table outlines why the Bolsheviks were able to take over with such minimal opposition: Provisional Government Never permanent Lacked support Internal divisions Failure to solve land problem Continued losing war Low morale Deserted by Petrograd garrison Hindered from start by dual authority Bolsheviks Sense of purpose Lack of challenges from other parties General radicalisation of Petrograd Lenins leadership Trotskys organisation Control of MRC

In the end it was the Bolsheviks who had strong and determined leadership, something that was lacking in almost all other parties and groups. Although a bitter struggle for power was about to

ensue, by the end of 1917 it was the Bolsheviks who ruled Russia and they were determined to lead their country out of the devastation caused by years of tsardom and the brutal struggle of WWI. The civil war that broke out in 1918 was savage, fought between the Bolsheviks, or Reds, and various opposition groups collectively known as the Whites. Foreign troops, fearing communism also intervened and sided with the Whites, however, it was the Bolsheviks that were again able to prevail. In a nutshell, it was a combination of White weaknesses and Red strengths that led to the eventual victory of the Bolsheviks: White weakenesses: White armies fought as separate detachments No unified aim and the groups were not prepared to sacrifice their individual interests Scattered far and wide geographically Reliant on supplies from abroad, which proved to be very unreliable Lacked any cohesive leadership

Red strengths: Remained in control of central area in western Russia where they held supply and communication lines. These areas were the most industrial in Russia, giving them access to munitions and supplies They controlled most of the railway network, as well as Moscow and Petrograd Red Army was brilliantly organised by Trotsky Bolshevik propaganda set themselves up as champions of Russia, as opposed to the Whites who relied on foreign help in their Russian matter

By 1920 the Bolsheviks had prevailed and had now consolidated their hold on Russia. Over the next few years, the Bolshevik Cheka, or state police and the Red Army waged a terror campaign to remove opposition to their rule. War Communism, which aimed at gaining central control over industry and agriculture was followed by Lenins New Economic Policy, which relaxed central control, allowed peasants to sell surplus goods, restored public markets and stopped the policy of requisitioning peasant produce. Lenin led his party until his death in 1924 due to a series of strokes. Source: Michael Lynch, Reaction and Revolution:Russia 1894-1924 Access to History series.