Order No. 1

Definition

Order No. 1 was a directive issued by the Petrograd Soviet on March 1, 1917, during the early days of the February Revolution, which aimed to ensure that the military obeyed the revolutionary committees rather than the traditional chain of command. This order reflected the growing influence of the Soviets in Russia and marked a significant shift in power dynamics as soldiers were encouraged to organize and assert their rights, ultimately contributing to the collapse of Tsarism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Order No. 1 instructed military units to elect their own officers and form committees to represent their interests, undermining traditional military hierarchies.
2. The order was a response to growing unrest among soldiers who were frustrated with their treatment and the ongoing hardships of World War I.
3. It significantly contributed to the erosion of loyalty towards the Tsarist regime, as soldiers began to view their allegiance as being owed to their fellow comrades rather than to the monarchy.
4. Order No. 1 is often seen as a pivotal moment in establishing the dual power structure between the Petrograd Soviet and the Provisional Government.
5. The issuance of this order showcased the increasing influence of socialist ideas among soldiers and workers, setting the stage for future revolutionary developments in Russia.

Review Questions

• How did Order No. 1 impact military organization and loyalty during the early stages of the February Revolution?
  • Order No. 1 fundamentally transformed military organization by enabling soldiers to elect their own officers and form committees, which shifted loyalty away from traditional military hierarchies toward fellow soldiers. This change fostered a sense of empowerment among troops who were tired of their treatment under Tsarist rule. As a result, many soldiers began prioritizing their allegiance to revolutionary ideals over their loyalty to the monarchy, contributing significantly to the weakening of Tsarism.
• Discuss the relationship between Order No. 1 and the emergence of dual power in Russia after the February Revolution.
  • Order No. 1 exemplified the shift towards dual power in Russia by reinforcing the authority of the Petrograd Soviet while simultaneously undermining the Provisional Government's control over military forces. With soldiers now taking orders from elected committees rather than higher-ranking officers loyal to the old regime, this led to increased tensions between these two entities. The Provisional Government struggled to exert authority over an increasingly empowered military, making it clear that popular support was shifting towards revolutionary governance represented by the Soviet.
• Evaluate how Order No. 1 foreshadowed future developments in Russia's political landscape leading up to the October Revolution.
  • Order No. 1 foreshadowed critical developments leading up to the October Revolution by demonstrating how grassroots revolutionary sentiments could disrupt established authority structures. By empowering soldiers through elected representation, it paved the way for greater revolutionary organization and collective action among workers and soldiers alike. This empowerment not only contributed to increasing disillusionment with the Provisional Government but also laid essential groundwork for Bolshevik influence, ultimately culminating in their successful seizure of power later that year.

Related terms

Petrograd Soviet: A council of workers' and soldiers' deputies formed in Petrograd during the February Revolution, which played a crucial role in representing revolutionary interests and challenging the authority of the provisional government.

Provisional Government: The temporary government established after the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, which sought to maintain order but struggled to gain legitimacy and authority among the Russian populace.

February Revolution: The uprising that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in March 1917, resulting from widespread discontent with the autocratic regime and socioeconomic hardships faced by the Russian people.