Compare and contrast the causes and nature of the February and October revolutions in Russia in 1917

Compare and contrast the causes and nature of the February and October revolutions in Russia in 1917. There were two Russian Revolutions in 1917; one was in February, and the other in October, is also known as the Bolshevik Revolution. They both have a wide range of differences and similarities in their causes and nature. The February Revolution led to the abdication of the Tsar and brought the Provisional Government to power. The October Revolution led to the downfall of this government and brought the Bolsheviks to power. The February Revolution grew from a street demonstration gone out of control; there was no political force to support it and neither a strategic plan to carry out. On the other hand, the October Revolution was a planned coup, where Lenin and the Bolshevik Party had designed and led it. This second revolution was a deliberate attempt to overthrow the current government, take power and start a Communist state in place of the monarchy. However, this revolution was similar to the first one as it also didn’t have a detailed plan for how the government should be run. World War One is both a comparison and a contrast in both revolutions. One main factor of the February Revolution was the First World War which began in 1914. …read more.

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How Lenin proposed to actually provide sufficient bread was not discussed, although taking Russia out of the war would clearly be a start. Therefore, it can be seen that the war was important for both revolutions but in different ways. One of the biggest differences between both revolutions is that the February revolution was spontaneous and grew out of the bread riots of 25th February whereas the October revolution was planned by the Bolshevik party. The February revolution broke out because of the frustration against food and fuel shortages, as well as those who lost employment as a result of the factories being shut down. On the 25th of February, as many as 300,000 people rioted violently against the situation. The Police began to fire at the crowds and men were killed. This caused even more chaos as police stations were also burned down. However, some members of the army troops and secret police joined the revolution against the government, greatly increasing the number of people revolting. This revolution only stopped when the government collapsed, the Tsar was forced to abdicate and was replaced by the Provisional Government. The October Revolution began in April when Lenin gathered the Soviet Party (the Bolsheviks) to overthrow the Provisional Government. However, during the summer as the Bolsheviks were getting arrested and persecuted, Lenin had to hide in Finland. …read more.

Conclusion

Alternatively, in the October one, it were the women who stood up until the end of the revolution against the revolutionaries as the other forces had abandoned their role. As they were outnumbered, the Bolsheviks then managed to take control of the Winter Palace and take over the Provisional Government. World War One was a major cause for both revolutions and gave a widespread discontent with the Tsar and his regime. Although in the first one it was because of the effects of WW1, including the role of the Tsarina and Rasputin. Whilst in the October one, it was the participation of Russia in war, and loosing battle after battle. This revolution enjoyed the support of the public who became disenchanted with the Provisional Government that followed the Tsar. Instead the February revolution had its support in the cities and rural ar