What part did revolutionary movements play in the collapse of autocracy?
February revolution happened as a result of bread shortages which led to worker protests which led to a mutiny in the garrison. The revolutionaries were taken by surprise (To quote Sergei Mstislavsky (an SR) “The Revolution found us, the party members, fast asleep, just like the foolish virgins in the Gospel.” (quoted in Figes: A Peoples Tragedy p323) so it would be easy to argue – none at all. but… The revolutionary movement had provided continuity since before the 1905 revolution so both the workers and the soldiers of Petrograd 1917 had idea in their minds that there was an alternative to Tsarism even if they were not responding to leaflets given out on the day. This is especially important for the soldiers. It is very much easier to mutiny if the result is revolution and the end of the old order because if the result is merely concessions you are faced with a government that regards you as having committed a serious offense. Mutineers tend to get shot unless they can become “Hero
