Why Did Tsarism Collapse in March 1917?
H/W Why did Tsarism collapse in March 1917? 18/01/12
In March 1917 (Gregorian calendar) the Russian Tsarist government collapsed and was replaced by a provisional committee of 12 former duma members and a soviet (union) of workers and soldiers councils in a revolution ending over 300 years of Romanov rule, which was celebrated in 1913. This was due to a combination of events such as the Putilov factory strike; beliefs such as the views of the duma and what evidence suggests is the most important, the circumstances in Russia such as severe consumer shortages by the start of 1917.
The circumstances prevailing in Russia by the beginning of 1917 must be considered the most important reason behind the collapse of Tsarism. The direct effects of the war on Russia were a crucial circumstance that caused the collapse of Tsarism. Within months of Russia becoming involved in WW1, she was beginning to lose, with defeats at Tannenburg and the Masurian lakes morale began to weaken further compounded by the fact that Russia was now using its reserves as front line soldiers. By the beginning of 1917 however the situation was much worse, further defeats had eliminated remaining morale and many soldiers began to desert with at least 2 million having surrendered by the February revolution. This was a problem as these soldiers participated in the uprisings in Petrograd and other actions against the tsar in the revolution. Thus the effects of the war on the home front caused war weariness as people wanted an end to the huge casualties and deserter soldiers demonstrated for peace thus causing the collapse of Tsarism in March 1917.
Another key circumstance that caused the collapse of Tsarism was the portrayal of the Tsarina and Rasputin. Since Nicholas took command of the front in August 1915, the Tsarina was in charge as regent, however her German family background and her appearances with outrageous ‘holy man’ Rasputin soon soured her image. Worse still her constant
In March 1917 (Gregorian calendar) the Russian Tsarist government collapsed and was replaced by a provisional committee of 12 former duma members and a soviet (union) of workers and soldiers councils in a revolution ending over 300 years of Romanov rule, which was celebrated in 1913. This was due to a combination of events such as the Putilov factory strike; beliefs such as the views of the duma and what evidence suggests is the most important, the circumstances in Russia such as severe consumer shortages by the start of 1917.
The circumstances prevailing in Russia by the beginning of 1917 must be considered the most important reason behind the collapse of Tsarism. The direct effects of the war on Russia were a crucial circumstance that caused the collapse of Tsarism. Within months of Russia becoming involved in WW1, she was beginning to lose, with defeats at Tannenburg and the Masurian lakes morale began to weaken further compounded by the fact that Russia was now using its reserves as front line soldiers. By the beginning of 1917 however the situation was much worse, further defeats had eliminated remaining morale and many soldiers began to desert with at least 2 million having surrendered by the February revolution. This was a problem as these soldiers participated in the uprisings in Petrograd and other actions against the tsar in the revolution. Thus the effects of the war on the home front caused war weariness as people wanted an end to the huge casualties and deserter soldiers demonstrated for peace thus causing the collapse of Tsarism in March 1917.
Another key circumstance that caused the collapse of Tsarism was the portrayal of the Tsarina and Rasputin. Since Nicholas took command of the front in August 1915, the Tsarina was in charge as regent, however her German family background and her appearances with outrageous ‘holy man’ Rasputin soon soured her image. Worse still her constant