Question 56

Russia's people were dissatisfied with the hardships they had to endure and with the country's poor leadership during First World War.

The widespread dissatisfaction among the Russian populace due to the hardships of World War I, combined with ineffective leadership, played a significant role in triggering the Russian Revolution of February-March 1917.

A) The Red Army under Vladimir Lenin had been very successful in its guerrilla war against the tsar's government.

This option is incorrect as the Red Army was not a prominent force prior to the February Revolution. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, did not gain significant military power until later in the revolution, particularly during the October Revolution of 1917.

B) Russia's people were dissatisfied with the hardships they had to endure and with the country's poor leadership during First World War.

This statement accurately reflects the sentiments that fueled the revolution. The Russian people faced extreme hardships, including food shortages, military defeats, and overall disillusionment with the tsarist regime, which were pivotal in igniting the revolutionary fervor.

C) Russian military commanders decided that Germany's announcement that it would resume unrestricted submarine warfare meant that the war was unwinnable.

While military commanders were concerned about the war's progress, this specific factor was not a major cause of the February Revolution. The commanders' decisions were more influenced by immediate tactical situations rather than a definitive conclusion that the war was unwinnable.

D) The tsar issued a decree to the effect that serfdom would be reestablished, angering many peasants and soldiers.

This option is incorrect as there was no such decree issued by the tsar regarding the reestablishment of serfdom. In fact, serfdom had been abolished in 1861, and the restoration of such a system would have been highly unpopular, but it did not occur in the lead-up to the revolution.

Conclusion

Option B stands out as the definitive cause of the Russian Revolution, reflecting the genuine discontent among the Russian people due to wartime hardships and poor governance. Other options either misinterpret historical events or fail to address the key factors that directly led to the uprising against the tsarist regime. Thus, the dissatisfaction of the populace was the critical catalyst for the revolution.