Page 37 - Understanding NCERT Histroy 09th

Russian soldiers who were fighting the battle were poorly trained and poorly equipped.
Russia had lost to Austria and Germany and Austria in the eastern front WWI, and had
over seven million casualties by 1917.
If I was a General who had the position to criticize the government or ruler and bring
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
about change, I would ask for better and improved rail lines, since majority of Russia’s
supply problems were owing to not utilizing uniform rail gauges, and by bringing better
rail line would help in transporting more food and other requirements to the Russian
troops.

3. THE FEBRUARY REVOLUTION IN PETROGRAD
l Petrograd experienced harsh conditions and a food scarcity in the winter of 1917.
• On the right bank of Neva River, a factory was shutdown on February 22.

• Lockout led to strikes in fifty factories the next day.
• Women played a prominent role in the strikes, and this came to be called the International
Women’s Day.
• When the workers surrounded the fashionable quarters and official buildings, the
government immediately imposed curfew.
• On February 25, the government suspended the Duma, leading to increased protests.
• Police Headquarters were ransacked on February 27, and the streets filled with people
demanding bread, wages, better hours, and democracy.
• The cavalry refused to fire on the demonstrators, and regiments mutinied to join the
striking workers.
• A soviet or council was formed, known as the Petrograd Soviet.

• On March 2, the Tsar abdicated, following the advice of military commanders.
• A Provisional Government to run the country was formed by the Soviet leaders and the
Duma leaders.
• The February Revolution of 1917 brought down the monarchy in Russia, and a constituent
assembly was elected on the basis of universal adult franchise.

BOX - 1 (Page no. 36)
Women in the February Revolution
‘Women workers, often ... inspired their male co-workers … At the Lorenz telephone factory,
… Marfa Vasileva almost single handedly called a successful strike. Already that morning, in
celebration of Women’s Day, women workers had presented red bows to the men … Then
Marfa Vasileva, a milling machine operator stopped work and declared an impromptu strike. The
workers on the floor were ready to support her … The foreman informed the management and
sent her a loaf of bread. She took the bread but refused to go back to work. The administrator
asked her again why she refused to work and she replied, “I cannot be the only one who is
satiated when others are hungry”. Women workers from another section of the factory gathered
around Marfa in support and gradually all the other women ceased working. Soon the men
downed their tools as well and the entire crowd rushed onto the street.’
From: Choi Chatterji, Celebrating Women (2002).

H-30 History Class IX