Discuss the reasons for the final crisis of autocracy in February/March 1917.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why the Russian monarchy was in crisis by early 1917. Some may argue the autocracy had been in crisis for many years and had only survived to 1914 through a combination of limited reform (National Duma, Land Reform and some economic growth) and repression (limited power of the Duma, Stolypin’s Necktie and the Lena Massacre 1912). Others could argue that the reforms from 1905 were the beginning of a process that would strengthen the monarchy (Stolypin’s “gamble on the strong”) leading to gradual political change and stability. This process was disrupted by the outbreak of war in 1914 and the impact of the war (defeats, casualties, economic crisis) eroded support for Tsar Nicholas II. It may be argued that there were long term factors undermining autocracy but in the short term it was the failure to deal effectively with the war that led to a crisis, with even the army and moderate politicians turning against the autocracy.