question_answer

What was the February Revolution? In what way did the First World War precipitate the February Revolution?

Answer:

(a) The Tsar abdicated his throne on 15th March 1917 and the Mensheviks under the leadership of Kerensky came to power. The fall of the Tsar is known as the February Revolution. (b) The Tsar took Russia into the First World War to further his own imperialist ambitions. But it proved disastrous and was the final straw which led to the oven row of Tsar's regime-an autocratic and largely inefficient regime which had outlived its usefulness. The war exposed Russia's weaknesses. (c) Russia lacked adequate railroads to provide transpiration. Munitions were woefully Shan in supply and Russian industry could not adequately equip and supply the army. The Tsar Nicholas was weak, incompetent and easily influenced by his ministers many of whom were dishonest and corrupt. (d) To make matters worse, rumors regarding the Tsar's desire to enter into a separate peace agreement weakened the war effort. The activities of the reactionary group headed by the Tsarina and the avowed pacifist and 'holy man' Gregory fimovich Rasputin angered the people. Members of the State Councilor Duma and the army officers complained of the Government's hampering tactics. (e) In an explosion of popular rage, Rasputin was murdered. In the countryside, peasants began to riot, workers went on strike and soldiers designed in large numbers. (f) By the spring of 1917, the Russians were weary of hardships and disheanened by the appalling casualties they had suffered. On 8th March, a crowd lining up for bread turned violent when told none was available, rioting spread rapidly. (g) The Tsar ordered the army to suppress the riots but the army failed to respond. Encouraged by the army's disobedience, the Duma refused the Tsar's order to disband. Tsar Nicholas tried to return to the capital from the but was prevented from doing so by officers of his own army. (h) A 'Soviet' or council consisting of soldiers and workers was formed in Petrograd to discharge the functions of the local government. At the same time the Tsar unable to control his army or his people abdicated. The Mensheviks under the leadership of Kerensky carne to power. This was the February Revolution.