The Winter of 1916-17
History: KS3, topic 17.3.5
The Winter of 1916-17
The long-term trends combined with short-term triggers to tip Russia towards revolution.
Lack of food in Russia
- In Petrograd and Moscow, a lack of food and unrest among workers led to instability in the cities.
- This was made worse by the protests on International Women's Day on the 23rd February.
Putilov Steelworks
- Strikes protesting about the declining winter living standards began to combine with the people’s dissatisfaction with the tsar's regime. These strikes grew in size.
- During the Putilov Steelworks strike in February, workers demand higher wages.
- Tensions were made worse when the owners locked the workers out of the steelworks and refused to pay them.
Demonstrations
- 80,000 people demonstrated in February, demanding that the Duma take control from the tsar.
- The cold winter of 1916-17 had caused a great deal of suffering.
- Although the weather improved in late February, living conditions did not improve and more people took to the streets.
Test yourself on The Winter of 1916-17
How many people demonstrated in February demanding that the Duma take control and influence the tsar?