10. Opposition: ideas and ideologies Flashcards
Liberals
Zemstva and liberal critisicms
- Provincial Zemstvas frequently criticized Tsarist policies, attributing famine and industrial stagnation to government negligence.
- Frustration stemmed from their limited influence in national decision-making, advocating for a state Duma to advise the Tsar.
Liberals
Union of liberation and political objectives
- Union of Liberation, led by Peter Struve, sought constitutional monarchy with universal male suffrage, advocating peaceful evolution to adapt to industrialization.
- Aimed for a constitutional system allowing urban workers to campaign for better conditions.
Liberals
Push for constitutional gov
- 1905, a grand meeting declared the intent to establish a constitutional government, contributing to the growing momentum for political change.
- Nobles like Prince Lvov desired national assembly despite the Tsar dismissing it as an unrealistic dream.
Liberals
Beseda Symposium
- Ban of ‘All-Zemstvo Organisation’ in 1896 led to radical liberals establishing the Beseda Symposium in 1899, discussing liberal concerns like judicial reform and universal education.
- By 1900, Beseda Symposium assumed leadership in the liberal movement, gathering support from public figures, town leaders, legal experts, teachers, and industrialists.
SR’s
Who were Social revolutionairies?
- Adopted a blend of Marxist and Populist beliefs, seeking to overthrow the government in favor of empowering peasants.
- Conducted around 2,000 political assassinations before the 1905 Revolution.
- Most influential theorist: Viktor Chernov.
- Fairly disorganized organization with diverse views.
SR’s
Key ideolgies and base
- land redistribution but differed from Marxists in proposing a land coalition over nationalization.
- Wide national presence with a significant peasant membership.
- Urban working class constituted around 50% of their supporters.
SR’s
Their activities
- Continued a killing campaign until secret police infiltration foiled their activities.
- From 1905 to 1909, approximately 4,579 SRs were killed.
SD’s
Beliefs
- Rooted in Marxism
- focused on agitation among urban workers, viewing the working class as exploited and the catalyst for change in Russia’s future through class struggle.
SD’s
party split
- Mensheviks (led by Martov) envisioned a natural worker-led revolution.
- Bolsheviks (led by Lenin) advocated for an immediate revolution.
Trade unions
Aims of legislation
to improve employer-employee relationships and reduce discontent among workers.
Trade unions
State’s challenges
state remained wary of independent working-class activity and the potential for revolutionary influences within trade unions.
Trade unions
closures and registrations
- 497 trade unions were shut down, and 604 were denied registration between 1906-1910.
- Surviving unions mainly represented better-paid, skilled male workers in metal trades.
Trade unions
economic impact
Post-1907 economic depression led to increased unemployment and limited opportunities for political action, sparking new strikes, notably the Lena Goldfields strike.
Trade unions
In st. P
- Trade union activity predominantly centered in St. Petersburg and neighboring areas, where 3/4 of strikes occurred, highlighting the failure to pacify the working class.
- Repressive measures during strikes fueled employee resistance and opposition.
Extent
Between 1905-1914, SR’s + SD’s weakened by:
- exile of leaders
- their rivalry
- split w/ SD’s
- idea divisions + disagreements over 1905 rev response.
- sucsess of secret police
- lack of finance, secret printing and press shortage.
