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RUSSIA - 1917. RUSSIA – EARLY 1917. Russia suffered major military defeats which undermined support for the war effort and the Tsarist Regime. The Tsar assumed personal control of the war effort in 1915. Some as young as 14. Left blank on purpose. No boots. No gun. RUSSIA – EARLY 1917.
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RUSSIA – EARLY 1917 • Russia suffered major military defeats which undermined support for the war effort and the Tsarist Regime. • The Tsar assumed personal control of the war effort in 1915.
Some as young as 14 Left blank on purpose No boots No gun
RUSSIA – EARLY 1917 • Internal government was left in the hands of the Tsarina and her advisors, many of whom were not equipped to deal with the increasing difficult economic situation. • Continuation of the war and high casualties further eroded support for the regime.
RUSSIA – EARLY 1917 • The winter of 1916-17 exacerbated the economic and social distress of the people. • Food and coal shortages in the cities and industrial discontent led to an increase in strikes and protests.
I’m so cold but there is no point in going home because there is a shortage of coal and I can’t warm up my house. Oh dear! I’ve been waiting 3 hours for bread and I can’t even afford it. Boo!
RUSSIA – EARLY 1917 • The Tsar and Duma were unwilling to compromise or co-operate to resolve the situation. The Tsarist regime collapsed as a result of unwillingness to act. • The Tsar’s army sided with the working class and even his own Cossack’s could not be relied on to maintain order.
RUSSIA – EARLY 1917 • When ordered by the Tsar in March of 1917 to restore control in the capital, the generals refused to act. • By 14th March 1917 the city of Petrograd was in the hands of revolutionaries.
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THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT • By the 12th of March the Duma had already formed a provisional committee of 12 representatives to restore order and authority. - Its members had neither been elected or chosen
THE PETROGAD SOVIET • Also on the 12th of March, the Petrograd re-established the Petrograd Soviet of Workers Deputies. • Made up of Mensheviks, two Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries it broadly represented the interests of the workers and soldiers. It viewed itself as the body of government that was representative of the Russian people.
DUAL GOVERNMENT • Thus by the afternoon of 12th March 1917 there were two ‘governments of Russia’. Three days later Nicholas abdicated.