The abdication of Tsar Nicholas II led to the success of the 1917 Russian revolutions. On 5th February/March 1917, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne in favour of his grandson Duke Michael. However, the Duke and other princes also refused to take over the throne. This marked the end of Tsarist regime in Russia which eventually led to the success of the 1917 Russian revolutions.
The weaknesses of the provisional government led to the success of the 1917 Russian revolutions. This government had been set up by the Mensheviks following the February/March 1917 Russian revolution but it had so many weaknesses that made it unable to govern Russia. For example, the new leaders continued with the war policy just as Tsar Nicholas II had done. The leaders were also weak in their policies and they failed to solve the social and economic problems that had caused the February/March revolution like unemployment and food shortages. This inspired Vladmir Lenin and Josef Stalin to organize a successful revolution in October/November 1917.
The execution of the Romanov family (Tsar’s family) contributed to the success of the Russian revolution. In July 1918, the Russian Imperial Romanov family (Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Tsarina Alexandria, and their five children) were executed by the Bolsheviks, bringing an end to the three-century old Romanov dynasty. This therefore contributed to the success of the 1917 Russian revolutions.
The popular support by the masses also contributed to the success of the revolution. When the revolution broke out, it was supported by the various sections of the Russian society because they had genuine grievances against the Tsarist government. The revolution was spear headed by the intellectuals and supported by the peasants together with the workers which eventually led to its success.
The unity among the Russians enabled them to succeed in 1917. They were united under the Bolsheviks party with a determination to establish a socialist government in Russia which led to the overthrow of the Tsarist government.
The support given by the foreign powers enabled the revolutionaries to succeed. The revolutionary leaders like Stalin, Trotsky, Kerensky and Lenin secured funds, manpower and arms from some friendly countries like Sweden, Germany and Switzerland. Germany for example supported the revolution in order to cause chaos in Russia so that it could withdraw from World War I against her. That is why Germany smuggled Lenin into Russia in a disguised train. Germany wanted Lenin to overthrow the provisional government and end the war which he did in October 1917.
The role played by the revolutionary leaders like Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin was vital in the success of the Russian revolution of 1917. These men mobilized and organized the workers, peasants and soldiers through their attractive speeches. For example, Lenin promised peace and food which earned him support that led to the success of the revolution.
The success of the New Economic Policy (NEP) contributed to the success of the 1917 Russian revolution. This was the official economic reconstruction program of the Soviet Union (Russia) from 1921 to 1928. The policy was introduced by the new Soviet government in 1921 through which industrialization, agriculture and transport were improved up on. This guaranteed the provision of enough food and funds which contributed to the success of the revolution.
The support from the army led to the success of the 1917 Russian revolution. By 1917, the only remaining instrument for the unpopular Tsar Nicholas II was the army. Unfortunately, when the army was promise an end to the war by the Bolsheviks, they decided to join the revolutionaries, thus leaving Tsar Nicholas II powerless.
The support of the minority races in Russia contributed to the success of the 1917 Russian revolution. By 1917, Russia was a multi racial empire consisting of many nationalities like the Poles, Latvians, Ukrains, Fins, Lithuanians and the Mongols among others. These minorities had been subjected to several injustices which provoked anger amongst them by 1917. For example, the Tsarist language had imposed the Russian language onto them. They therefore decided to support the revolution when it broke out in big numbers which eventually contributed to its success.
The increased economic difficulties in Russia led to the success of the 1917 Russian revolutions. By 1917, Russia was experiencing economic chaos or instability characterized by inflation, increased food prices and unstable wages among other problems. These problems provoked anger among the citizens which forced them to join the revolution in big numbers so as to bring about a change in their living conditions. This eventually contributed to the success of the Russian revolutions of 1917.
The use of violence by the revolutionaries made the revolution to succeed. The Russian revolutionaries adopted violence or the “red terror” which was directed towards those who were against the revolution. For example, in 1919 over 100,000 peasants were executed by the revolutionaries. This policy of terror helped to eliminate any opposition to the revolution, thus contributing to its success.
The large number of the Red Army against the small white army contributed to the success of the 1917 Russian revolution. Between 1918 and 1921, there broke out a civil war in Russia. This civil war was sparked off by the clashes between the “White Army” of the anti – communists and the “Red Army” of the Bolsheviks or communists. However, the communists who had a very big army managed to defeat the anti – communists. This therefore facilitated the success of the revolution.
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