Long term and short term causes of February/March 1917 Revolution in Russia

February/March revolution in 1917 could be argue by many Historians including Oxley and Gauci as avoidable if Tsar Nicholas II had taken a stronger stand against opposition and willing to be more cooperatives with the Duma. However due to Nicholas II weak regime and poor decision making, defeat war with Japan in 1905 and military disaster in World War One led to the outbreak of February/March Revolution in 1917. In addition to this, his reforms throughout the country also were a major contributor to the 1917 revolution.

One of the long term causes which led to the building tensions and riots with Czarist regime was the defeat in the Russo-Japan war in 1905. There had been disputes between the two countries for many years ago over Korea and the Manchuria.  Russia had long term objective to expand her influence in the Far East, to make up for her loss of influence in Europe. Russia believed that Japan would be easily defeated, but they were wrong. Japanese army were able to defeat Russia in every single major confrontation. The final humiliation came in the straits of Tsushima in May with the total destruction of Russia main battle fleet, which had sailed half way round the world from Baltic Sea according to Oxley. This forced Russia to seek for peace in 1905. This led to public discontent and economic problems in the country which led to the up rise of Bloody Sunday in 1905.

Furthermore, outbreak in World War One builds the public discontent further and also created economic and political problems in the country. By taking command of the army, Tsar made the war efforts worse and meant he was blamed for the defeats.  The living standards of the population in the city suffered a rapid decline. Gauci acknowledge that Petrograd population increased from 2.1 million to 2.65 million and Moscow’s from 1.6 million to 2 million, leading to severe overcrowding. Rising prices destroyed the buying power of wages. To meet the heavy cost of war, more paper money was printed which caused inflation in the country. Food shortages were also felt throughout Russia, due to shortage of workers in the farming section and severe winters in 1916-17. As men were needed during war, all men involved in the agricultural sector, were trained to become a soldier and as a result, this led to shortages of workers in the rural areas.  Approximately 15 million peasants were called up to the armed forces stated by Gauci. To make matter worse, severe winter made farming intolerable. As a result, the capital experienced shortages of coal and other fuels. Not only this affected homes but also factories, where they were forced to close and operate on short time in February 1917. The winter in 1917-18 was especially harsh, freezing railways which interfered with the distribution of food and fuel to the armed forces during WW1 and the urban areas consumers.
Nicholas II reluctance to work with the Duma was also one of the long-term causes of February 1917 revolution. In 1915, Nicholas formed the progressive Bloc. This meant that the Tsar should choose his ministers from the leading member of the largest parties in the Duma. Majority of the Tsars ministers had advised Tsar’s to make changes to the Duma, but instead he ignored and adjourned it.  In August 1914, given the huge challenges that the WW1 posed for Russia, the Duma voted money for the war while the Bolsheviks deputies voted against. The Tsar adjourned the meeting session again and made no concession. As no changes were made, the Duma politicians and leading members of high and middle class took over organising supplies and medical care in 1914. By 1917, it had 8000 associated institutions. At first, it was supported by donations but eventually the government provided money.

One of the short term causes of this revolution was the shutdown of metalworking plant Putilov. On February 22 1917, a large metalworking plant in Putilov closed its doors, leaving many unemployed due to wage dispute. Many employees were left unemployed and went on strike. On February 23rd, 400,000 workers in Petrograd went on strike over bread shortages (Gauci). This riot eventually led to riots which merged with the strike at Putilov armament factory. On the same day, women were marching on the street celebrating International Women day. Eventually, the women took the lead in politicising a march through Petrograd. By 26th February, the soldiers also joined the demonstrations since most of them were desperate not to be sent to the front line where the Russian army were facing huge losses.

The Tsar response to this was feeble, he was warned by his military commander and President of Duma, but he did nothing. Worse still, he dismissed the Duma. As a result, the Duma decided to meet in front of Tauride Palace on February 27th stated by Oxley. There they were joined by workers and soldiers. As the Tsar heard of the trouble in Petrograd, he ordered troops to put down the disorder- on 26th of February some regiments opened fire on the crowds.

The crowds became more hostile and one by one, the regiments moved over to the side of the people. This created a mutiny between the soldiers. On March 2nd, Nicholas II, was informed by his generals and a delegation of Duma deputies that they no longer support him. Nicholas agreed to abdicate to take care of his ill son and decided that Grand Duke Michael should be up for the throne, but he refused it therefore Russia became a republic.

The Czars abdication left Russia in a political vacuum. After the mutiny of the soldiers and the full-scale outbreak of the revolution, most people looked to the Duma, the Russian parliament, to control the situation. As a result the Duma started forming a new government known as the Provisional Government which ended 200 years of Czarist monarchy.