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History Quiz - Russia: 1914-1917 - War And Revolutions (Questions)

Study how war, hardship, and political mistakes pushed Tsarist Russia towards the February and October Revolutions between 1914 and 1917.

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Fascinating Fact:

In 1915 Nicholas II took personal command of the army. This linked him directly to military failure and left government in Petrograd weaker.

In GCSE History, this topic explores Russia between 1914 and 1917. You examine how the First World War weakened Tsarist rule, why protests spread, and how revolution overthrew the old regime.

Key Terms

  • Eastern Front: The area of fighting in Eastern Europe during the First World War, where Russian forces faced Germany and Austria-Hungary.
  • February Revolution: The 1917 uprising in Petrograd that removed Nicholas II and ended centuries of Tsarist rule in Russia.
  • Provisional Government: The temporary government that took over after the Tsar abdicated, promised reforms, but chose to continue fighting in the war.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What were the main causes of the Russian Revolution in 1917?

Key causes included military defeats in the First World War, shortages of food and fuel, discontent among workers and peasants, and loss of faith in the Tsar's leadership.

How did the First World War affect Russia between 1914 and 1917?

The war brought huge casualties, economic disruption, and pressure on transport and supplies. These problems damaged support for the Tsar and increased anger in cities and the countryside.

What is the difference between the February and October Revolutions?

The February Revolution removed the Tsar and created the Provisional Government. The October Revolution later that year brought the Bolsheviks to power and began Communist rule in Russia.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. What nickname was given to the Tsarist Russian military machine, suggesting slow speed combined with great weight?
[ ] Steamroller
[ ] Steam Engine
[ ] Road Roller
[ ] Locomotive
2. Which Tsarist general did well with three successful offensives against Austria-Hungary in 1915, 1916 and 1917?
[ ] Brusilov
[ ] Grand Duke Nicholas
[ ] Samsonov
[ ] Kornilov
3. To which of her advisors did the Empress Alexandra refer as "Our Friend"?
[ ] Rasputin
[ ] Miliutin
[ ] Miliukov
[ ] Grand Duke Alexander
4. Nicholas relinquished the throne on advice from liberal ministers, who feared a further revolution if the Tsar did not go. What was the precise decision that he made?
[ ] To abdicate in favour of his son, the Tsarevitch
[ ] To abdicate in favour of his kinsman Grand Duke Michael
[ ] To remain as Tsar, but to abandon most of his political and military authority
[ ] To abdicate in favour of no one, so ending the Romanov dynasty
5. Why was the government which succeeded the Tsar, between February and October 1917, known as the "Provisional" Government?
[ ] It intended to hold elections soon to choose a constituent assembly
[ ] It expected to be overthrown by violent revolution
[ ] It was always determined to restore the monarchy as soon as the war was over
[ ] It had no plan at all: either to continue in power or to seek an alternative
6. Which noble was the first leader of the Provisional Government?
[ ] Alexander Kerensky
[ ] Prince Lvov
[ ] Tseretelli
[ ] Dimitri Yusupov
7. Which former Social Revolutionary took over as leader of the Provisional Government until it was overthrown?
[ ] Alexander Kerensky
[ ] Maxim Litvinov
[ ] Nikolai Chicherin
[ ] Nikita Frunze
8. What was the main reason why the Provisional Government took the fateful decision to carry on the war?
[ ] To remain loyal to her allies, Britain and France
[ ] Thoroughly to defeat Germany, and to wreak vengeance on her
[ ] To recover former Russian territory seized by Germany and Austria since 1914
[ ] To honour her responsibilities towards Serbia, for whom Russia claimed to have gone to war in the first place
9. Where did Lenin seek refuge after the failure of the "July Days", a premature attempt by a coalition of radical groups to overthrow the Provisional Government against the Bolsheviks' better judgement?
[ ] Finland
[ ] Switzerland
[ ] Sweden
[ ] London
10. Which warship from the Baltic fleet (and a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War) fired at the Winter Palace where the Provisional Government were in permanent emergency session, thus initiating the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917?
[ ] Potemkin
[ ] Aurora
[ ] Ordzonokidze
[ ] Alexander Pushkin

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Lenin and the Russian Revolution

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History Quiz - Russia: 1914-1917 - War And Revolutions (Answers)
1. What nickname was given to the Tsarist Russian military machine, suggesting slow speed combined with great weight?
[x] Steamroller
[ ] Steam Engine
[ ] Road Roller
[ ] Locomotive
Russia's armed forces looked impressive on paper, but they were slow to assemble. Hence the German plan to attack France first, and then to strike east at the Tsarist Empire
2. Which Tsarist general did well with three successful offensives against Austria-Hungary in 1915, 1916 and 1917?
[x] Brusilov
[ ] Grand Duke Nicholas
[ ] Samsonov
[ ] Kornilov
Russia was much more likely to succeed against Austria-Hungary than against Germany. Hence these spring offensives were directed against the southern flank of the Eastern Front
3. To which of her advisors did the Empress Alexandra refer as "Our Friend"?
[x] Rasputin
[ ] Miliutin
[ ] Miliukov
[ ] Grand Duke Alexander
When her husband the Tsar left St. Petersburg to take over overall command at the front, political power resided with the Tsarina. She did not lack for advice
4. Nicholas relinquished the throne on advice from liberal ministers, who feared a further revolution if the Tsar did not go. What was the precise decision that he made?
[ ] To abdicate in favour of his son, the Tsarevitch
[ ] To abdicate in favour of his kinsman Grand Duke Michael
[ ] To remain as Tsar, but to abandon most of his political and military authority
[x] To abdicate in favour of no one, so ending the Romanov dynasty
Nicholas was in an unenviable situation. He felt bound to heed his ministers' advice, but was reluctant to break the oath that he had made at his coronation to keep autocratic power intact for his successors. He was conscious at the same time of the dire state of the Russian war effort and of the imminent danger of a communist revolution
5. Why was the government which succeeded the Tsar, between February and October 1917, known as the "Provisional" Government?
[x] It intended to hold elections soon to choose a constituent assembly
[ ] It expected to be overthrown by violent revolution
[ ] It was always determined to restore the monarchy as soon as the war was over
[ ] It had no plan at all: either to continue in power or to seek an alternative
The Provisional Government concentrated on winning the war, always hoping that something would turn up
6. Which noble was the first leader of the Provisional Government?
[ ] Alexander Kerensky
[x] Prince Lvov
[ ] Tseretelli
[ ] Dimitri Yusupov
This was an unenviable task. The new government consisted of many difference parties and factions. It had decided to prosecute the war, and at the same time keep a wary look out for signs of further revolutions
7. Which former Social Revolutionary took over as leader of the Provisional Government until it was overthrown?
[x] Alexander Kerensky
[ ] Maxim Litvinov
[ ] Nikolai Chicherin
[ ] Nikita Frunze
Leadership of the government became increasingly difficult as the war effort flagged
8. What was the main reason why the Provisional Government took the fateful decision to carry on the war?
[ ] To remain loyal to her allies, Britain and France
[ ] Thoroughly to defeat Germany, and to wreak vengeance on her
[x] To recover former Russian territory seized by Germany and Austria since 1914
[ ] To honour her responsibilities towards Serbia, for whom Russia claimed to have gone to war in the first place
The Russian government was well aware that it was far from winning the war, that it had gone to war in the beginning to support a fellow Slav state and that it had also acquired allies in Britain and France. The more perceptive members of the regime realised that the war was not proceeding well, and that it was deeply unpopular among the Russian people
9. Where did Lenin seek refuge after the failure of the "July Days", a premature attempt by a coalition of radical groups to overthrow the Provisional Government against the Bolsheviks' better judgement?
[x] Finland
[ ] Switzerland
[ ] Sweden
[ ] London
Lenin feared that the Provisional Government would be less lenient with him, now that he had been directly involved in a violent attempt to supplant them
10. Which warship from the Baltic fleet (and a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War) fired at the Winter Palace where the Provisional Government were in permanent emergency session, thus initiating the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917?
[ ] Potemkin
[x] Aurora
[ ] Ordzonokidze
[ ] Alexander Pushkin
The Baltic fleet was based at Kronstadt, a short distance downstream in the Gulf of Finland from St. Petersburg. Thus it would be easy for ships from this fleet to intervene on one side or the other in the event of a further revolutionary outbreak
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