Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 1 The growth of opposition to the tsar in early 1917 — Edexcel GCSE History
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Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 1 The growth of opposition to the tsar in early 1917 explained
In early 1917, opposition to Tsar Nicholas II surged due to deep grievances among peasants and town workers.
Read the full explanation
Peasants suffered from severe land hunger, high taxes, and wartime conscription, which stripped villages of their agricultural workforce. Meanwhile, town workers faced appalling living conditions and overcrowding in rapidly industrialising cities like Petrograd. Their discontent was exacerbated by low wages, long hours, and severe food shortages caused by wartime inflation and transport breakdowns. This dual crisis in the countryside and urban centres created a volatile environment, uniting both groups in their desperation and anger towards the Tsarist regime, laying the groundwork for the impending revolution.
The impact of the First World War: military defeats; economic, political and social effects; the Tsar as commander-in-chief.
The First World War devastated Russia, catalysing the Tsar's downfall. Military defeats, such as at Tannenberg, shattered morale and highlighted equipment shortages. Economically, the war caused massive inflation and transport collapse, leading to acute food shortages. Socially, millions of casualties and widespread starvation fuelled immense public anger. Politically, the situation worsened in 1915 when Tsar Nicholas II became commander-in-chief. This disastrous decision meant he was held personally responsible for all military failures. Furthermore, his absence from Petrograd left the government in the hands of the unpopular Tsarina Alexandra and Rasputin, severely damaging the regime's credibility and alienating the Russian elite.
Your focus
- Identify the main causes of discontent among Russian peasants in early 1917.
- Describe the living and working conditions of town workers during this period.
- Explain how these grievances contributed to the growth of opposition to the Tsar.
Show all 6 objectives
- Evaluate the impact of military defeats on the Russian army and home front.
- Analyse the economic, political, and social consequences of the First World War on Russia.
- Explain why the Tsar's decision to become commander-in-chief was a fatal political error.
Option 30: Key topic 1: The revolutions of 1917 - 1 The growth of opposition to the tsar in early 1917 exam tips
Marking Points
- Identify specific peasant grievances, such as land shortages and the impact of conscription on farming.
- Describe the poor living and working conditions of town workers, including overcrowding and long hours.
- Explain how wartime inflation and transport failures led to severe food and fuel shortages in cities.
- Link the growing discontent of both groups directly to the increasing opposition to the Tsar's government.
- Detail specific military failures and their impact on army morale and public confidence.
- Explain the economic consequences, including inflation and the breakdown of the railway system.
- Describe the social impact of the war, focusing on casualties, conscription, and food shortages.
- Analyse the political consequences of the Tsar becoming commander-in-chief and leaving the Tsarina in charge.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use specific examples, such as the population boom in Petrograd, to illustrate urban overcrowding.
- 💡When explaining causes of opposition, link long-term social issues with short-term wartime triggers.
- 💡Ensure you address both peasants and town workers if a question asks about social discontent.
- 💡Use the decision to become commander-in-chief as a key turning point in the Tsar's loss of support.
- 💡Link the breakdown of the railway system directly to the food shortages in the cities.
- 💡When discussing political effects, mention the alienation of the aristocracy, not just the lower classes.
Common Mistakes
- Stating that peasants and workers had the exact same grievances; correction: distinguish between peasant land hunger and worker living/working conditions.
- Claiming that discontent only began in 1917; correction: explain that these were long-term issues severely worsened by the First World War.
- Ignoring the role of inflation; correction: explicitly mention how wages failed to keep up with the rising cost of basic goods like bread.
- Stating the Tsar was a poor military tactician; correction: focus on the political impact of him taking personal responsibility for defeats, regardless of his tactical skills.
- Confusing the economic and social effects; correction: clearly distinguish between economic factors like inflation and social factors like starvation and grief.
- Overstating Rasputin's actual power; correction: emphasise that the perception of his influence was more damaging than his actual political control.