The February Russian Revolution

The February Russian Revolution in 1917 saw the downfall of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar in Russia’s history. There were many contributing factors that led to Tsar Nicholas II'S abdication and the fall of his autocratic government, including economical aspects. However, economical problems were one of many complications facing Russia, such as the destruction that was occurring to Russians in World War I, and the lack of organisation in the government. All of these factors, and more, had an equal impact on the February Revolution, rather than giving the blame to only the economical aspects. In saying this, economical problems did cause mayhem in Russia, and can be to blame for the February Revolution, but other aspects need to be taken into
Russia had a great number of people, which according to the Tsar, was all they needed to do well in the war. However, the millions of men that were sent off to war were ill-equipped. As Russia had not yet had their industrial revolution, unlike the other major countries, the guns and other weapons Russia had were outdated and were in little supply. On frequent occasions Russian soldiers were forced to hold back their fighting as they were not equipped with a weapon, only being able to join the fight when other Russian soldiers were either killed or injured and had dropped their weapons. As the war continued, the Russian soldiers started to refuse to fight and disobey their officials, as they were being heavily defeated in all aspects. The destruction of the Russians in the war played a role in the February Revolution, just as the lack of organisation within the Russian Government
Tsar Nicholas II did not like to listen to his advisers, just as he was advised not to take part in World War I, yet ignored them. He lived in a bubble where Tsar Nicholas II thought that his people were happy, because he ignored all signs of anything other than this. Tsar Nicholas II was always against having a Duma, but agreed to having one simply so people would stop hassling him. Even after the formation of the Duma, the Russian people were not happy as only richer Russians were able to be apart of it. These people were mostly landowners who had different views to the peasants. Even though the Duma consisted of a more “civilised” part of the Russian population, Tsar Nicholas II still ignored their propositions, and made decisions for his benefit and for what he believed to be right. By ignoring his associates and his people, the hatred for Tsar Nicholas II grew, with more and more people seeing him as a leader who did not care for his people.

Although the situation Russia was in during World War I and the lack of organisation within the government, some may say that these factors were not as involved in the February Revolution as the economical factors were. The terrible working conditions and little pay that peasants received led to famine, riots and death. The destruction Russians faced in World War I and the lack of organisation within the government were results