A nation in turmoil
Revolution of 1905
Russia was in turmoil because all resources were being funneled into the Russo-Japanese War that the Russians were losing miserably. Adding to the strife was a poor harvest and business failure, causing starvation and a poor economy in the cities. This led to many citizens asking for reform and their basic rights, but Tsar Nicholas II refused. Protesters went to the Winter Palace to present their petition for change, but the Tsar's Imperial Guard disregarded its responsibility to protect the people and fired upon the crowd in an event called Bloody Sunday. Nicholas knew he was losing support and eight months later he released the October Manifesto, which promised civil liberties and an elected parliament called the Duma. The public opinion of the Tsar began to temporarily improve.
"Comrade Workers, tear up all portraits of the blood-sucking Tsar and say to him: Be thou damned with all Thine August Reptilian Progeny."
-Georgi Gapon, lead the strike of 1905
Professor Weisensel explains the Revolution of 1905.
February, 1917
“Situation serious. There is anarchy in the capital. Government paralysed. Transport of food and fuel completely disorganized. Public disaffection growing. On the streets, chaotic shooting. Army units fire at each other. It is essential at once to entrust a person enjoying the country’s confidence with the formation of a new government. There should be no delay. All delay is death.”
Mikhail Rodzianko, telegram of February 1917
After losing many battles to Germany on the eastern front, the people were outraged, and the Tsar took personal control of the army. The winter of 1916-17 was very severe and the food supply was running dangerously low. From February 23-27, the people began a general strike and protested against the Tsar as the people once again begged for basic rights, but this time the Imperial Guard joined the revolt. The Duma abandoned the Tsar, and respecting its responsibility to represent the people, ordered him to abdicate. On March 2nd Tsar Nicolas II stepped down. Following this event, the Duma took over Russia and placed Alexander Kerensky as Prime Minister of the Provisional Government.