Russian Revolution (nov 14, 1916 – jan 24, 1917)
Description:
On the 1st of November, the Union of Zemstvos, a liberal civil society group set up to help the Russian war effort drew up a series of demand for the Russian government to meet, stating that if Russia did not follow this path, it had no hope of victory in this dire situation.
The first was that the law of the October Manifesto was to return in force. Many in the Zemstvos added additional liberties to this Manifesto, drafting the extended and far more openly liberal, November Manifesto. Other demands were added as well, such as the opening of Russian markets and the improving of the condition of the average Russian. The Zemstvos noted, in the very petition to Moscow, that they were not traitors or rebels but instead were seeking to help Russia, stating that without such reforms the monarchy would lose the support of the people and would face open rebellion.
The most prominent and scandalous demand though was the abdication of Czar Nicholas II in favor of Grand Duke Michael. The Grand Duke announced that he would willingly take the position if Nicholas lawfully and willingly abdicated.
To further this along, Russian officers, patterning themselves after the Decembrists, stormed the Winter Palace and forced Nicholas at gun point to resign. He did so, as well as recognizing Michael as his heir on Christmas Eve of 1916.
Michael was appalled by the series of events and considered throwing the crown away, but recognizing the awful state of affairs of his country decided against it. He would have much to do in order to salvage his country, as news of the revolt only spurred on more radical insurrections throughout the country.
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