How far was the state of peasantry from 1900-1917 responsible in
causing the February Revolution?
Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of sources
This investigation will explore ‘How far was the state of peasantry from 1900-1917
responsible in causing the February Revolution? ’. Focusing on the state of peasantry from
1900- March 1917, looking at their living conditions before and during the outbreak of war,
and examining this alongside different social groups such as factory workers in big cities,
and soldiers, to draw up a final conclusion.
Source 1: Barbara Alpern Engel’s journal “Not by Bread Alone: Subsistence Riots in Russia
during World War I”, written in 1997. The origin is valuable as Engel is a history professor at
1
, the esteemed University of Colorado, who has published many works specialized in this
area, especially on the effect of industrialization on Russian peasant women. The date adds
value as it gives the benefit of hindsight to allow a comprehensive look into the state of
Russian peasantry. Moreover, the influence of third wave feminism in her lifetime provides
an in depth perspective into the life of peasant women during the time. However,it is
limited in its skewed focus on the perspective of peasant women, and thus neglected other
groups. The purpose,to look at the role and gendered nature of subsistence riots during
WW1, is valuable in showing the effect of WWI on the state of Russian peasantry from a
previously overlooked aspect of female peasants, but were responsible for the majority of
subsistence riots and played a major part in the factory workforce. The scope of the source
is limited in its purpose as Engel conveys the developments in a short time period (onset of
war) as opposed to the long term view of events.
Source 2: Jerome Davis’ “A Sociological Interpretation of the Russian Revolution” written in
1922. As Davis had personal experience staying in Russia during the communist revolution
years (1916-1918) and being acquaintances to revolutionary figures such as Lenin, adds
value of a more indepth view about their rise and the pre-existing tensions that led to the
revolution. Considering the date, Davis’ unpopular socialist leaning helped to strengthen the
source, provided an earlier alternative historiography of the large class disparity to help us
arrive at our conclusion. However, this is limited since Davis was a sociologist, not much of
his work is about the Russian Revolution which may make his work less valuable compared
to other historians. Due to his political views, the source it is more of an opinion,
persuading a more conciliatory view towards Bolsheviks and so can affect objectivity of
contents reported. Nevertheless, it provides an overview of the conditions of the peasant
2
causing the February Revolution?
Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of sources
This investigation will explore ‘How far was the state of peasantry from 1900-1917
responsible in causing the February Revolution? ’. Focusing on the state of peasantry from
1900- March 1917, looking at their living conditions before and during the outbreak of war,
and examining this alongside different social groups such as factory workers in big cities,
and soldiers, to draw up a final conclusion.
Source 1: Barbara Alpern Engel’s journal “Not by Bread Alone: Subsistence Riots in Russia
during World War I”, written in 1997. The origin is valuable as Engel is a history professor at
1
, the esteemed University of Colorado, who has published many works specialized in this
area, especially on the effect of industrialization on Russian peasant women. The date adds
value as it gives the benefit of hindsight to allow a comprehensive look into the state of
Russian peasantry. Moreover, the influence of third wave feminism in her lifetime provides
an in depth perspective into the life of peasant women during the time. However,it is
limited in its skewed focus on the perspective of peasant women, and thus neglected other
groups. The purpose,to look at the role and gendered nature of subsistence riots during
WW1, is valuable in showing the effect of WWI on the state of Russian peasantry from a
previously overlooked aspect of female peasants, but were responsible for the majority of
subsistence riots and played a major part in the factory workforce. The scope of the source
is limited in its purpose as Engel conveys the developments in a short time period (onset of
war) as opposed to the long term view of events.
Source 2: Jerome Davis’ “A Sociological Interpretation of the Russian Revolution” written in
1922. As Davis had personal experience staying in Russia during the communist revolution
years (1916-1918) and being acquaintances to revolutionary figures such as Lenin, adds
value of a more indepth view about their rise and the pre-existing tensions that led to the
revolution. Considering the date, Davis’ unpopular socialist leaning helped to strengthen the
source, provided an earlier alternative historiography of the large class disparity to help us
arrive at our conclusion. However, this is limited since Davis was a sociologist, not much of
his work is about the Russian Revolution which may make his work less valuable compared
to other historians. Due to his political views, the source it is more of an opinion,
persuading a more conciliatory view towards Bolsheviks and so can affect objectivity of
contents reported. Nevertheless, it provides an overview of the conditions of the peasant
2
