Feb/March revolution

February/March 1917 Revolution

1) Feb/March demonstrations on streets as weather grew warmer.

Protests about war and shortages at first, then became a protest about the Tsar and his government.

2) Nicholas ignored warnings from Rodzianko (chairman of Duma) and listened to Alexandra who told him it was no real problem.

The protests became a revolution when the army joined the demonstrators.
3) Tsar forced to abdicate and a provisional government set up.
4) Provisional government weak as the Soviet had control of the army (order no.1)

5) Lenin came back from exile and criticised the Bolsheviks for accepting the February/March revolution.

Lenin promised ‘Peace, land and bread’
6) Provisional government continued the war, and the situation in Petrograd was worse than under the Tsar, but people now had freedom to criticise.
More defeats and less food. No elections held.

7) Kerensky took over the provisional government and was popular at first and ended an attempt by Bolsheviks to take over.

8) Chaos grew in late summer of 1917; as war dragged on people turned against Kerensky.
9) Some parts of the army loyal to the Tsar began to march towards Petrograd led by Kornilov. The people feared the Tsar would return.

Kerensky released Bolsheviks from prison and gave them weapons to help him.