“The causes of the October/November Revolution were the same as those of the February/March Revolution.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the causes of the two 1917 revolutions were the same. To agree with the statement, responses should discuss similar causes, such as war weariness and continuing defeat; weak, ineffectual governments (comparing the Tsarist government with the Provisional Government); continuing economic crises and food shortages. Candidates may argue that the period between the two revolutions saw continued revolutionary unrest (July Days), with increasing support for revolutionary parties such as the Bolsheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs). To partially challenge the statement, candidates may discuss the differing nature of the two revolutions, with February/March being a spontaneous revolution when various demonstrations and strikes coalesced (International Women's Day, Putilov Steelworks strike and food protests); whereas October/November was a planned seizure of power by the Bolsheviks. It could also be argued that the aims of the two revolutions were different in February/March when there was a demand for moderate reform and effective government; whereas in October/November increasing support for the Bolsheviks indicated a demand for more radical change. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the causes of the October/November Revolution were the same as those of the February/March Revolution. Some very good answers were seen to this question which was popular. Some candidates were able to use detailed knowledge to argue both for the similarities and the differences of the causes of the two revolutions in 1917. However, some candidates were confused about chronology and discussed the causes of the 1905 revolution and those of the February/March 1917 revolution.