The Russian Revolution: How World War I Enabled the Proletariat to Take a Stand

Arpan Sahoo, Darrel D'Souza, Jonathan Shen, Jeffrey Chen

Senior Division

Group Website

Word Count (Website): 1199

Word Count (Process Paper): 499

 Primary Sources

Duffy, Michael. Nicholas Romanovs Decree of Abdication. Digital image. First World War.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/nicholasiiabdication.htm>.

We inserted the original Russian version of Nicholas Romanovs Decree of Abdication

into the website for dramatic effect. By reading the English translation of the decree, we

were able to learn about Romanovs tone and about the reasons that led him to abdicate.

Gapon, Georgii, and Ivan Vasimov. Petition Prepared for Presentation to Nicholas II January 9,

1905 (Bloody Sunday). N.d. MS. Seton Hall University. Web.

<http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php?title=Manifesto_of_October_17th,_19

05&oldid=72>.

By reading the petition that the Proletariat made in response to Bloody Sunday and the

Tsars actions (translated by Daniel Field), we gained insight into what fueled the

Proletariats revolt against the Tsar. We learned that they were especially enraged by

their lack of voice in the nation, their poverty, their lack of upheld rights, the Tsars

mismanagement of state and war efforts, and the elites exploitation of power and wealth

in the nation.

Gurko, Vasily. The Battle of Tannenberg. N.d. MS. Seton Hall University. Web.

<http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/tannenberg_gurko.htm>.

The report of Vasily, commander of the Russian 1st Cavalry Division under

Rennenkampf, gave us a Russian perspective on the Battle of Tannenberg, the loss of

 which helped fuel the Russian Revolution. His words carried a solid meaning: that the

Russians were utterly defeated by the Germans. This defeat would shatter any conception

that the Proletariat had that the Tsarist regime may be good.

Lenin, Vladimir Ilich. What is to be Done? (1902). N.d. MS. Seton Hall University. Web.

<http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php/Lenin,_What_is_to_be_Done>.

Although we did not explicitly talk about Lenin in our website as our primary focus is the

February Revolution and how WWI galvanized the proletariat into revolting against the

Tsar, reading Lenins work allowed us to understand the after-effects of the Revolution.

He was a major figure of the Marxist revolutionary party, so viewing his ideas gave us a

perspective on how the Revolution developed after the February Revolution.

Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. Manifesto of the Communist Party. 1847. MS. Marx/Engels

Internet Archive. Web.

<https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/>.

The Communist Manifesto, written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was used to

disseminate ideas of communism during the time. This source outlines the constant class

struggle between the proletariat and bourgeoisie, and dictatorship of the proletariat. This

source was valuable as it provided insight into the views of Russian workers during this

time.
Romanov, Nicholas. Manifesto of October 17th, 1905. N.d. MS. Seton Hall University. Web.

<http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php?title=Manifesto_of_October_17th,_1

05&oldid=72>.

This document gave our group a perspective on Nicholas IIs view on his own reign. It

gave us the reasons for why Nicholas thought the way that he did, and it showed us how

Nicholas II struggled to maintain power during Bloody Sunday.

Sufshchinskii, Stepan Vasilevich. "Interview with the Dumas Chancellery Junior Staffer Stepan

Vasilevich Sufshchinskii (1895-?) - Recorded on May 1, 1917, in Room No. 2 of the

Tauride Palace." Interview. From St Petersburg to Notre Dame Digital Exhibit.

University of Notre Dame, n.d. Web.

<http://rarebooks.library.nd.edu/exhibits/polievktov/ssrr.shtml>.

This interview was interesting to examine primarily because it interviewed the

Chancellery Junior Staff of the Duma at the time. It offered a unique perspective on the

Dumas reactions during the February Revolution. It also helped us verify the idea that

during the Petrograd scene, protesters were unremitting and would not stop until the Tsar

was overthrown.

Secondary Sources

Books

Figes, Orlando. A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution, 1891-1924. New York, NY:

Penguin, 1998. Print.

 Orlando Figes is a British historian whose works center around Russian history in the

revolutionary period, as well as in the Stalinist era. In this source, Figes describes the

preconditions in Russia leading up to the 1917 revolutions, and their implications on the

course and effects of each. This source was valuable as it provided commentary and

analysis on certain pieces of Russian social structure, which exacerbated the public

disillusionment to the Tsar. In addition, Figes also provides details on unpopularity of

war on the homefront, and analyzes the wars effect on inciting the revolution.

Fitzpatrick, Sheila. The Russian Revolution. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1982. Print.

Sheila Fitzpatrick is an Australian historian who focuses on Russian history from the late

Tsarist period to the course of the Soviet Union. In this work, Mrs. Fitzpatrick analyzes

the importance of events, such as the Russian Famine and Bloody Sunday, on the onset of

the revolutions in 1917. This source was valuable in our research as it provided the group

with relevant info concerning precursor events to the revolution and their significance.

Pipes, Richard. The Russian Revolution, 1899-1919. London: Fontana, 1992. Print.

Richard Pipes is a prominent Russian historian and has published many works detailing

the rise of the Bolsheviks and also the course of the Soviet era. In this text, Pipes

provides a comprehensive analysis of the course of the Russian Revolution and its

precursors by using firsthand accounts, quotations, and figures. The source was valuable

in research as, with regards to the years covered in the source, covered the preconditions
 that led to the revolution. This allowed us to see the effects of failures of the Tsarist

regime, and also World War I, on the overall public sentiment of the authoritarian Tsarist.

Read, Christopher. War and Revolution in Russia, 1914-22: The Collapse of Tsarism and the

Establishment of Soviet Power. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave

Macmillan, 2013. Print.

This source was used to gather information about the state of Russia in terms of the

nobility and the proletariat. It outlined the conditions of the proletariat and factors during

the war that contributed to those factors, such as the heavy losses throughout the war. It

also gave specific descriptions of several factors that led to the abdication of the Tsar in

1917.

Riasanoovsky, Nicholas and Mark Steinberg. A History of Russia. New York: Oxford University

Press, 2010.

This comprehensive secondary sources afforded us the opportunity to garner an

understanding of the historical background of Russia, particularly the political,

international, military, economic, social, and cultural aspects of the empire. Examining

the content of the source allowed us to better understand the circumstances which led to

the Russian Revolution.

Sanborn, Joshua A. Drafting the Russian Nation: Military Conscription, Total War, and Mass

Politics, 1905-1925. DeKalb: Northern Illinois UP, 2003. Print.

 Joshua A. Sanborn is a history professor who specializes in Russian history. This specific

source from him focuses on the military aspects of Russia during the WWI period. It

helped us understand the military conditions of the soldiers, how the Russian army

operated, and why the army's conditions led to the outbreak of revolution.

Service, Robert W. The Russian Revolution, 1900-1927. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire:

MacMillan, 1999. Print.

Robert Service is a British historian who has written extensively on the Russian

Revolution and the Soviet era. In this work, Service analyzes economic, social, and

political factors and the implications that they had in the Russian Revolution. This source

is valuable as it provides a commentary on the state of the Romanov rule before, and in

close proximity to the February Revolution. In addition, Service provides a

comprehensive analysis of the failures of the Tsarist regime not only in World War I, but

also in the nature of their authoritarian rule. Because of this, the source allowed us to

evaluate the Tsarist regime and connect it to the public unrest during the era.

Troyat, Henri. Daily Life in Russia Under the Last Tsar. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University

Press, 1999.

This book was a particularly interesting read as the author conveyed the facets of Russian

life through the vehicle of a fictional Englishman visiting a Russian merchant family. It

provided an interesting twist regarding the lives of the people under Nicholas Romanov.
 Most importantly, the book gave us a stronger idea of what feelings and wishes for

freedom caused Proletariat to revolt.

Warnes, David. Chronicle of the Russian Tsars: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rules of

Imperial Russia. New York: Thomas and Hudson, 2009.

This source gave us a holistic perspective on the reigns of the Russian tsars. We were

able to understand the political and economic preferences and effects of each tsar, and we

were able to compare earlier tsars to tsars, such as Nicholas Romanov. This source also

allowed us to understand when the Proletariat started feeling oppressed.

Journals

Cox, Stephen. Russian Revolution. The American Scholar, vol. 64, no. 1, 1995, pp. 156156.

<www.jstor.org/stable/41212304>.

This source analyzed Richard Pipes perspective on the Russian Revolution and how

Marxism was related to the Revolution. He describes Marxism in a descriptive way,

which helped us understand what Marxism was better.

Dempster, Gregory M. The Fiscal Background of the Russian Revolution. European Review of

Economic History, vol. 10, no. 1, 2006, pp. 3550. <www.jstor.org/stable/41378433>.

In this source, Mr. Dempster provides an examination of the economic conditions of the

Tsarist period leading to the revolution, and the role that economics played in the demise

of the Tsar. This source was valuable in the research process as it allowed us to see
 certain fiscal policy failures, and also the effects of World War I. Additionally, we were

able to use this source to connect these precursors to the eventual onset of the February

Revolution.

Engel, Barbara Alpern. Not by Bread Alone: Subsistence Riots in Russia during World War I.

The Journal of Modern History, vol. 69, no. 4, 1997, pp. 696721.

<www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/245591>.

In this source, Mrs. Engel reviews the widespread disorder and the riots that ensued

during Russias involvement in World War I. This source was valuable as it provided a

background on the social implications of Russias involvement in the war, and also

allowed us to connect the unrest to the eventual demise of the Tsar.

Holmes, Terence M. One Throw of the Gambler's Dice: A Comment on Holger Herwig's

View of the Schlieffen Plan. The Journal of Military History, vol. 67, no. 2, 2003, pp.

513516. <www.jstor.org/stable/3093466>.

In this source, Mr. Holmes analyzes the view that the Schlieffen plan was inherently

flawed from the onset. This source helped us with research on the nature of World War I,

especially in Germanys attempt to consolidate the war to the Eastern Front.

Hill, Alexander. The Slavonic and East European Review. The Slavonic and East European

Review, vol. 88, no. 4, 2010, pp. 763764. <www.jstor.org/stable/41061932>.

 In this source, Mr. Hill describes the Brusilov Offensive, a military campaign by the

Russians in 1916. This source was valuable as it allowed the group to see the extent of

the casualties caused in war, which in turn caused popular unrest. In addition, it also

provided us with information regarding the nature of Russias involvement of World War

I in general.

Multimedia

USSR Workers Marseillaise English Subtitle. Youtube, uploaded by MonarchNacho, 28 May

2015, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO9CtMlw6ZU>.

The source shows the workers passions for the cause, and also the revolutionary masses

of the proletariat rising against the authoritarian regime. This source is valuable as it

provides us with a firsthand multimedia experience that expresses the opinions of the

workers (highlighted by lyrics), and the actions of the workers (highlighted by the

recordings).

Glinka, Mikhail. 'Glory' from 'A Life for the Tsar'. 1836. MP3.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJr-ki8RGcw>.

This source is a song that glorifies the Tsar, and it was valuable as it provided a

multimedia experience that highlights the authoritarian and quasi-cult of personality of

the Tsar.
Epic History: The Russian Revolution. Bridgeman Images, 4 Aug. 2016. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV9G1QUIm7w>.

This video provides valuable information explaining the causes of the Russian

Revolution, including World War I and why Nicholas Romanov was so unpopular. This

source was valuable as it provided a brief overview of how World War I influenced the

proletariat to take a stand in the Russian Revolution. This source also provided us with

first hand accounts of the February Revolution, which aided in this investigation.

Websites

"BBC - History - Historic Figures: Nicholas II (1868-1918)." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 31 Jan.

2017.

This was the source that we used to gather most of our information on Nicholas II. While

we learned most of the events in his life through the other sources we used, this website

provided us with essentially an outline of Nicholas II's life, highlighting the major events

while also mentioning some more minor things, such as his early childhood which

contributed to his reign.

Images - Primary

1917 February Revolution. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eY_H7ilt6yE/UWdf5a_WCZI/AAAAAAAATLU/iS_lmk01

c-w/s1600/9.+Manifestantesen+la+revoluci%C3%B3n+de+febrero+de+1917.jpg>.
A poster of the Russian Revolution serving to embolden the Proletariat to fight against the Tsar.

Digital image. Alpha History. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/russia_proletar

iat_2.jpg>.

Battle of Tannenberg. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://www.thinglink.com/scene/510602680645713921>.

Defence of St. Petersburg by All the Forces. Digital image. Alamy. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://l7.alamy.com/zooms/1a169b54858d420e9167c1712c39b5e4/russian-revolution-1

917-defence-of-st-petersburg-by-all-the-forces-d963am.jpg>.

Factory Closing. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.antiqpedia.com/admin/pictures/manufacturer/8/e47f1edd5ca04227b115fe4b

47786b85.jpeg>.

Karl Marx Stamp. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://finmag.penize.cz/ekonomika/298088-elektronicka-evidence-trzeb-a-novy-tridni-b

oj>.

Lenin and the Crowds. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://images.jacobinmag.com/2014/07/Unknown-Artist-Speech-by-Lenin.jpg>.
Markhall. Postcard signifying the escape of the Proletariat from oppressive Tsarist rule. Digital

image. Photobucket. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Markhall/media/Scan1.jpg.html>.

Nicholas and Wife. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://beautifulrus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nikol_wife.jpg>.

Nicholas at the War Front. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://antg.cand.com.vn/Ho-so-mat/Giac-mo-ky-la-cua-Hoang-hau-Nga-cuoi-cung-ve-th

am-kich-Khodynka-404549/>.

October Revolution Anniversary. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://rosswolfe.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/natan-altman-monument-for-the-anniversa

ry-of-the-october-revolution-1918a.jpg>.

Peasant Children. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a3/a6/3f/a3a63f56431cb4b5ab1290504e74

242a.jpg>.

Petrograd Bread Line. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://histclo.com/essay/war/com/sov/rus-rev.html>.
Petrograd Protesters With Banners. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://juliannahistory12.weebly.com/uploads/8/8/1/2/8812163/951079724.jpg>.

Picture of Karl Marx. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://s2.thingpic.com/images/Yo/4F66RTW1h6EXVSvrVjuqRFWt.jpeg>.

Pipes, Richard. "Picture of "Petrograd Crowds Burning Emblems of the Imperial Regime:

February 1917."" The Russian Revolution, 1899-1919. London: Fontana, 1992. 282.

Print.

Portrait of Nicholas Romanov. Digital image. Golbis. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://golbis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tech-news-24h-tech-news-24h-business-a

mp-educ-14033801244gk8n.jpg?x31284>.

Proletariat Protesting at the February Revolution. Digital image. Study.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/feb_1917.jpg>.

Pyramid of the Capitalist System. Digital image. The News Stalkers. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://thenewstalkers.com/gallery/image/gallery_image/677/1280>.
Russian Civil War. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/2c/26/72/2c26727c1564383186326abe9c4

deca2.jpg>.

Russian Court. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/katmax1/17697932/64084/64084_900.jpg>.

Russian Icon of Saint Tsar Nicholas II. Digital image. CloudFront. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://d2ydh70d4b5xgv.cloudfront.net/images/6/3/russian-icon-of-saint-tsar-nicholas-ii-

romanov-of-russia-in-frame-rare-49745eac06a788693e7a82bc3379be0c.jpg>.

Russian Prisoners at Tannenberg. Digital image. Wikimedia. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Russian_prisoners_tannenberg.j

pg>.

Russian Troops. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.czipm.org/Grafika/Foto/azkoulv04.jpg>.

Russian Tsar Nicholas II at the war front. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

The Overthrow of the Tsar. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/listing/object-205004266>.
The Revolutionary Masses of the Proletariat Uniting. Digital image. Haiku Deck. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/GJc1CZU.jpg>.

The Russian Proletariat. Digital image. The Imaginative Conservative. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/russia_proletar

iat_2.jpg>.

The Russo-Japanese War 1905. Digital image. JapanFocus. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.japanfocus.org/data/Russo-Japanese%20War.jpg>.

Troops Running. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<https://i2.wp.com/img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/dhampir/WWI/tumblr_nr141smM

ye1szkmvlo1_1280_zpsfftwvaid.jpg~original>.

Images - Secondary

Need Satisfaction WWI. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.popularsocialscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Davies81.jpg>.

NHD Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.nhd.org>.

Russia Map with Railroads. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/cf_images/20061223/CXM925.gif>.