Compare and contrast the causes of the February/March and October/November Revolutions in 1917.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the causes of the two revolutions. Candidates may refer to issues such as the problem of weak ineffective governments that were blamed for the difficulties caused by the First World War, including continued defeats and the high number of casualties. In the case of the February/March Revolution, the Tsar lost the support of the military and was forced to abdicate. Similarly, Kerensky had lost military support and the Bolshevik coup easily overthrew the Provisional Government. Other linked causes, such as economic problems, food shortages and poor working conditions may also be examined. Some may argue that the major difference was the level of popular agitation for revolution. February 1917 saw a spontaneous popular revolution with various mass demonstrations (International Women’s Day) and strikes (Putilov Armaments Workers), whereas events in October/November arguably constituted a coup d’état carried out by the Bolsheviks with limited popular involvement. Both similarities and differences must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal number of both.

The question required candidates to give an account of the similarities and differences between the causes of the two revolutions. Some excellent knowledge and comparative analysis was seen in answer to this question.