HISTORY SUB-TOPICAL

Russian Revolution (1914-17)

Q1. Why did Tsar abdicate in 1917? [10]
OR
Why did the Tsar become increasingly unpopular after 1914? [10]
OR
Why was the Provisional Government formed in 1917? [10]
Ans.
• Russia was undergoing a severe economic crisis, with prices of
basic commodities soaring to all-time highs. This was Mainly due
to the fact that the entire economy was focused on serving the
army but on the cost of Russia’s Civilian Population
• The World War 1 didn’t go as planned for the Russians and they
suffered some humiliating defeats, along with millions of
casualties. Tsar lost a lot of popularity as a result and by 1917, was
left with no choice but to abdicate.
• The Tsar was a very incompetent ruler for such a large empire and
most of his decisions and policies were against the interests of the
common man. Along with that, Russia faced numerous problems
other than economy and the war. Nicholas was pressurized by his
generals and courtiers as well which led to him finally stepping
down in 1917.
• He felt that he could hand over the throne to his brother as
radical opposition against him was at its peak.
Q2. Why did World War I have damaging effects on the Russian
economy? [10]
Ans.
• The Russian economy was already really weak before the start of
the War. Industrialization was at its earliest stages. It was a phase
of transition from being an agricultural economy to an industrial
economy. The war came at the worst possible time for Russia as
their economy wasn’t capable of supporting it.
• Most of the Transport Routes in Russia were blocked in the winter
seasons. This costed much more than normal, in transporting
weapons, food and clothes to the Russian army on the
battlefront.
• Conscription led to most of the industry workers being sent to the
war, which reduced manpower in the industrial sector and
production of goods and commodities was badly hindered.
• Industries were producing large number of goods for the army at
an extremely low cost, putting them in deficit. This couldn’t last
for long and eventually the national economy was the victim again

Q3. Why was World War I an important reason for two revolutions in
Russia in 1917? [10]
Ans.
• Russia faced humiliating defeats throughout the course of the
war. The Russians felt their pride was hurt. They grew angry at the
government for not managing the war well and started
demanding change. Soon it turned from peaceful to violent.
 • Many families lost at least 1 person each from their family and
were now not willing to pay anymore cost for the war, that too for
one which wouldn’t do them any good keeping in mind the recent
conditions of Russia.
• Tsar Nicholas II went to the battlefield himself hoping that he
could change the scenario over there. He made some really
pathetic decisions which further enraged the people against the
Tsarist government. The people were now sure that a revolution
was necessary to bring about change.
• The Provisional Government decided to continue fighting the war
in a bid to gain support from the people and continue getting
loans from their war allies, but instead the people spoke up
against them. They didn’t want to be a part of the war anymore as
it had torn apart Russia’s economy and led another revolution in
the same year against a new government.

Q4. Why was the Provisional government overthrown? [10]

OR
Why did the Provisional government face problems in ruling Russia?
[10]
Ans.
• It decided to continue fighting in the First World War, against the
interests of the Russian people, so they faced a backlash and a
huge drop in support. Plus, Russia continued to suffer defeats and
the tally of casualties kept increasing.
• There were continuous food shortages in the country, which led
to food riots in many places. The failure in tackling these issues
led to the Provisional government losing even more support.
 • The government postponed the demands for land by the peasants
until after the elections. Peasants were unhappy about this, and
started seizing land. Many peasants started deserting the army to
seize their share of land as well. The government lost control over
affairs and became increasingly unpopular by each passing day.
• The Kornilov Affair was a military coup staged by general Lavr
Kornilov. Although the Coup failed, it was an alarm bell for the
government that they were disliked and surrounded by enemies,
which made it even more tough to rule the country with full
authority.

Q5. Why was Rasputin murdered? [10]

Ans.
• Rasputin exerted a powerful influence on the Tsar and Tsarina
after he healed their son in 1908. He was too much into the state
affairs and the courtiers and generals were jealous of him and
wanted to get rid of him.
• REST I DONT KNOW :(

Q6. Why was the Kornilov affair important in bringing about the
downfall of the Provisional Government? [10]
Ans.
 • The Kornilov Affair was a military coup staged by general Lavr
Kornilov. Although the Coup failed, it was an alarm bell for the
government that they were disliked and surrounded by enemies,
which made it even more tough to rule the country with full
authority.
• Coincidentally the Coup came at a time when the Germans
launched an offensive against the Russians. The government
panicked and the situation became worse for them
• Petrograd Soviet got armed, and along with the Mensheviks and
the Socialist Revolutionaries, worked to stop the Kornilov
advance. Later on, they were the ones who would bring down the
Provisional government
Q7. Why did the Kornilov Revolt Fail? [10]
Ans.
• Petrograd Soviet fought against Kornilov’s men
• The failings of the military in the world war had ended the trust of
the people in the army. Let alone the people, Kornilov didn’t even
have enough support from the army itself, nor from any major
political group.
• Kornilov could not even make his aims clear or tell his vision to
the people, so he could not muster up a large support group,
leading a failed revolt.

Q8. Why was Trotsky’s role in the October 1917 Revolution important?
[10]
Ans.
 • He was the chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and played a vital
role as the organiser and motivator of the overthrow of the
Provisional Government in October 1917.
• He was an important supporter of Lenin and his ideas. He
validated Lenin in front of the public and opposed the views of his
rivals.
• He dealt with the Cossacks who attempted to destroy the
revolution in its early stages.
• His role in Brest-Litovsk was also of much importance as he
helped sign a treaty that ended Russia’s participation in the World
War, much to the appreciation of the people.
• It can be said that had Trotsky not been there, a revolution
couldn’t have taken place.

Q9. To what extent did Nicholas II bring about his own downfall in
1917? [20]
Ans.
FOR:
• Decision to fight WWI despite a weak economy, followed by
continuous defeats and millions of war casualties.
• Economic Problems. Entire economy was focused on providing for
the army, almost ignoring the civilian population. Food prices
were soaring. (Relate it to the mismanagement done by Nicholas
II)
• Left the state affairs in the hands of his wife and went to the
warfront himself. Made one tactical blunder after another, while
the throne was empty and the country was already in a lot of
turmoil.
 • Tsar was unable to retain the support of the industrial workers.
The Tsarina’s leadership had failed miserably and there were
bread strikes to force the government to improve food rations for
the workers. Soviets were forming and there was huge social
unrest.
OTHER REASONS:
• Rasputin. He was one of the most hated figures in Russia at that
time, as he had great influence over the Tsar and Tsarina.
Courtiers and even some common people hated him and were
jealous that such a creepy man was able to indirectly rule Russia.
Many people started giving up their support for the Tsarist
Regime.
• Loss of support of the army was also a major setback to the
Tsarist Regime as they lost control of St Petersburg once the riots
became critical. Many factions of the Russian Army joined the
opponents of the Tsarist Regime.

Q10. How far was Kerensky responsible for the fall of the Provisional
Government? [20]
Ans.
In Support:
• Most of the decisions he took were ones which had been taken by
rulers before him, and had failed.
• He was unable to understand the crisis at the warfront or even
the problems within the army.
 • Kerensky was unable to comprehend the issue with land seizures
by the peasants. He had minimal background knowledge about
this issue and hence was not able to solve it.
• He had to stay committed to Russia’s allies in order to allow influx
of money through loans, but this was not received well and was a
further dent to his decreasing popularity.
• His ideas were not suited for Russia at that point of time.
Other Reasons:
• Russia was in such a bad state that it could not be possible to deal
with the issues without a dictatorial approach. Lack of support
from major parts of the army did not allow Kerensky and his
government to take such measures and were forced to deal with
issues in other ways. Kerensky had inherited a failed state so he
could not be blamed for its condition.
• His opponents, The Left, had better solutions for Russia at that
time and so gained more and more support of the public.
Kerensky and the Provisional government stood no chance of
survival against such a strong opposition and were bound to be
overthrown.