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Home , Alexander Kerensky, July 1917, June 1917, Petrograd Soviet, Smolny

Knowledge Organiser: History Year 10 Title: Topic 1 The revolutions of 1917

Key information Key information Key events Tsarist Russia – The Romanovs had ruled Russia for The Provisional Government – On the 2nd of March August 1st 1914 – Russia declares war on . over 300 years, tsar Nicholas II had the support of Tsar Nicholas was forced to abdicate, he had no – Tsar Nicholas becomes commander-in- the , his secret police (Okhrana) and the support from the Duma nor from the Army High chief of the . (Russian parliament) Command, Russia had become a republic. Nicholas February 1917 – Mass protests in Petrograd, unhappy However, many were living in poverty and was replaced by a Provisional Government, it was about Tsar Nicholas and WWI. wanted change. Political groups like the Socialist weak; it had no legitimate authority, it continued with – Tsar Abdicates on the 2nd March, the and the wanted to get the war and it was basically a Dual Government with Duma forms the Provisional Government. rid of the tsarist regime. the Petrograd who held a lot of the power, 1917 – Lenin returns from exile with his April WWI had a terrible effect on Russia, economically especially over the and sailors in Petrograd Theses, calling for Peace, Land and bread and All Russia lost money through debt and lack of trade. and other soviets in Russia. Power to the Soviet. This effected the society as food shortages were The decision to carry on with the war was a disaster, – Provisional Government decide to launch very common, unemployment increased, and 15 after the June Offensive, where there were 200,000 the “June Offensive” resulted in 200,000 Russian million peasants were forced to fight for the army. causalities, people protested in the streets of casualties and loss of territory (land). This led to unrest and even the Duma began to Petrograd between the 3rd -7th of July. – becomes leader of the criticise the tsar and the war effort. In 1915 Tsar Arguably the turning point in 1917 was during the Provisional Government and continues with the war. Nicholas II became the commander-in-chief of the Kornilov Revolt, General Kornilov wanted to take -7 1917 – Riots and protests led to an attempted army, this weakened his authority, not just within control of the and sent troops to the uprising involving Lenin and the Bolsheviks, it failed the army but in Petrograd, as his German wife, capital to take control. Kerensky thought this was a as the Petrograd Soviet supported the Provisional Alexandra, was left in charge of the Duma. military takeover, he freed Bolshevik prisoners and Government. Bolsheviks were arrested and Lenin fled Russia Topic 1: The armed them. The Red Guard stopped Kornilov’s troops to . revolutions of 1917 – Long-term unrest, because of and it appeared that the Bolsheviks has saved August 24th 1917 – Kornilov Revolt; General Kornilov food shortages and the war, led to strikes and Petrograd, their support began to increase rapidly, by (head of the Army) sent troops to Petrograd to shut protests in Petrograd in late February. Women the Bolsheviks had 340,000 members, down the Petrograd Soviet. Kerensky decided to celebrating International Women’s Day joined and 60,000 were in Petrograd. release and arm the Bolsheviks. These Red Guard workers who were striking in Petrograd. Between Key Terms and People convinced Kornilov’s troops not to attack the capital. th 23-25 Feb 250,000 peoples protested on the streets. Duma – Russian parliament who advised the tsar. October 10 1917 – Lenin returns to Petrograd and th 26 Feb soldiers were ordered to fire on the Bolsheviks – political group led by Lenin who was a convinces key Bolsheviks to support a takeover. st demonstrators, killing 40 people. Soldiers began to communist and believed in . October 21 – The Petrograd Soviet swear loyalty to th refuse orders and on the 28 Feb the tsar received a Abdicate – when a monarch steps down. the MRC and Trotsky. They, along with the Red Guard telegram reporting that Petrograd was out of Provisional Government – government in charge of seize important positions in Petrograd. th th control. the from March 1917 till Oct 1917. October 24 -25 1917 – seized control of Petrograd Soviet – A committee of elected members, the and arrested the remaining representing workers, soldiers and peasants. members of the P.G. th Soviets – same as above. October 26 – Lenin forms the Bolshevik government Kerensky – Alexander Kerensky became leader of the called the Council of People’s . P.G. in July 1917, made many mistakes including under estimating the Bolsheviks. Red Guard – a military unit consisting of Bolsheviks or Bolshevik supporters to protect to soviets. After the Bolsheviks seized power it became the .

Knowledge Organiser: History Year 10 Title: Russia Topic 1 The revolutions of 1917

Key information Key information Key Questions The Bolshevik Revolution – Following Lenin’s return On the evening of 25 October, Red Guards and sailors 1. What was the name of the ruler of Russia in in April, where he promised “All Power to the from Kronstadt advanced on the old tsarist Winter 1914? Soviet” and “Peace, Land and Bread”, support for Palace – where the Provisional Government had its the Bolsheviks slowly increased. By July the headquarters. 2. Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks? Bolsheviks had 10,000 Red Guard in Petrograd, and The palace was defended by officer cadets and a 3. What is the Russian word for a parliament? after the failed revolt by Kornilov the Bolsheviks women’s battalion – Kerensky could not persuade were in a powerful position with their support still more experienced troops to support him anymore. 4. What special day of marches led to the growing. There was almost no opposition and the Bolsheviks outbreak of the February Revolution? entered the Winter Palace, found the remaining By the beginning of October, Lenin and the members of the P.G. and had them arrested. 5. Why was it a mistake for the tsar to become Bolsheviks were beginning to prepare for the By the early hours of 26 October, it was all over. It was commander-in-chief of the army? revolution: declared at the that the Bolsheviks • 31 August Bolsheviks had won majority in the had taken power across Russia. 6. What was the name of the tsar’s wife and Petrograd Soviet where did she come from? • They had set up in Petrograd Reasons why the Bolsheviks were successful: • A Bolshevik Headquarters was set up in 7. What is the Russian word for a • The P.G. was weak, it continued with the war. Petrograd, in the council of workers, soldiers and peasants? • 10th October Lenin returned from Finland and • Lenin was a strong leader with a clear message. convinced 12 leading Bolsheviks to agree to a • “Peace, Land and Bread” was a powerful slogan. 8. What was the title of Lenin’s publication Russia Topic 1: The revolution. • Trotsky was an amazing planner who organised the revolutions of 1917 produced when he first returned to Russia? Red Guards into an effective fighting force. Lenin’s leadership was key for the Bolsheviks to be • Kerensky underestimated the Bolsheviks and didn’t 9. Who led the Provisional Government from successful, without Lenin the revolution would not break up the Red Guard after the Kornilov Revolt. July 1917? have happened. Key terms and People 10. Who led a military revolt against the Lenin – Leader of the Bolsheviks in 1917, exiled for Another important individual for the success of the much of this time, but led the revolution in October. Provisional Government in ? Bolsheviks in October was , he became He was a great public speaker, with a very persuasive chairman of the Petrograd Soviet and used its 11. What was given to the Red Guard after the and passionate personality. He was a true Marxist and Military Revolutionary Committee along with the believed in the idea of socialism. military revolt in August? Bolshevik’s Red guard to: Leon Trotsky – once a Menshevik (opposed the 12. What date did Lenin return from Finland to Bolsheviks) Trotsky planned the • Take control of road and canal bridges in and would go on to led the Red Army. Very intelligent lead the October Revolution? Petrograd individual, but could be arrogant. 13. Who organised the Bolshevik October • Take control of the Army headquarters Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) – made up • Took over telegraph offices to control of soldiers and sailors apart of the Petrograd Soviet. Revolution? communication in Petrograd Kronstadt – a naval base 20 miles west of Petrograd, 14. Name one area of the capital that the Red Kronstadt sailors were supporters of the Bolsheviks. th By the 24 October the Bolsheviks were ready to Congress of Soviets – A meeting of soviets in Guard controlled? seize power. Petrograd the night of the revolution. 15. What date was the October Revolution?