What do you think has happened?

Its all a question of timing! In 1917 Russia was still using the JULIAN calendar. The rest of Europe used the GREGORIAN calendar which was 13 days ahead. It can be confusing about when the two revolutions in 1917 took place!

Why was the Tsar forced to abdicate in March 1917? You will be given a character from Russia 1914 – Watch the following presentation and work out: 1.Why these events happened 2.How your character was involved in the 1 st Russian Revolution !

Russian Soldier fighting the Germans Russian soldier in Petrograd Deserter from the Russian Army Worker in Petrograd Woman in Petrograd Upper class noble TsarTsarinaAlexisRasputin Samsonov – top Russian general - leader of one Russian army Minister in charge of organising food who is disliked by Rasputin PeasantMinister of War Member of Duma The characters in this story:

August 1914 World War I started. Russia declared war on Germany and troops were mobilised. The Tsar was very popular. Events 1914 – March 1917 September 1914 The two main Russian armies were defeated in the battles of Masurian Lakes and Tannenberg.

End of 1914 Over 1 million Russian soldiers were now dead. Russia’s industry could not produce enough weapons to supply all the soldiers. The army lacked supplies, and the officers were sometimes incompetent – 1915 There were shortages of food, coal and industrial materials in the cities. Prices rose and factories closed. The government was blamed.

September 1915 The Tsar decided to leave Petrograd and go to the Western Front to run the Russian Army. The Tsarina and Rasputin were left in charge, and were very unpopular, even among the aristocracy. Rasputin persuaded the Tsarina to replace ministers that he did not like with his friends. The organisation of the supply of food to the cities broke down. Winter 1916 The winter was a bad one. Hardly any food or fuel got into Petrograd. Huge bread queues formed and prices rocketed.

7 th March 1917 The situation was desperate. 40,000 workers at the Putilov factory went on strike. 8 th March 1917 International Women’s Day. Thousands of women joined the demonstrations. The protestors demanded food, fuel and a new government.

15 th March 1917 The Tsar tried to get back to Petrograd but the railway workers stopped him. He was forced to flee. 12 th March 1917 The Tsar ordered that the army fire on the protestors. Many soldiers refused and joined the demonstrations. Soldiers and workers marched to the Duma to demand that it took control of Russia.

In your pair with your character card you must talk for 2 minutes about :- 1.Your feelings toward the Tsar 2.Your feelings about the war 3.How your country is being run You must consider the knowledge your character would have and the way they were likely to react to the different events and characters. Why was the Tsar forced to abdicate in March 1917? Warning: You should be prepared to answer questions at the end of your talk!