What were the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917? What were its results?
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open with the event. The Russian Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Tsar and set up the world's first socialist government.
2 · Autocratic rule. Tsar Nicholas II ruled with total power; people had no political rights, and even nobles were unhappy.
3 · Misery of workers and peasants. Inhuman working conditions, low returns and heavy taxes in a backward, farming economy.
4 · First World War. Russia was unprepared; soldiers lacked arms and warm uniforms, and thousands died.
5 · Famine and inflation. Food ran short and printed rouble notes pushed up prices, leading to strikes and riots.
6 · Ideas and the two revolutions. Marx and Tolstoy inspired workers, who formed Soviets; the Tsar fell in February 1917 and Lenin's Bolsheviks took power in October.
7 · Close with the result. Tsarist rule ended and the USSR, the first socialist state, was formed.
Scoring tip: Use the two months of 1917: February for the fall of the Tsar, October for Lenin. Examiners look for both.
