1905 Revolution

Question 1

Why was there a revolution in 1905?

Answer 1

-Alternate intelligentsia
-Witte’s Economic Policy
-Bloody Sunday (Jan 9th)
-Peasants
-Workers
-1905 Strikes
-revolutionaries
-Father Gapon
-Tsarist Regime
-National minorities: Finns, Poles Jews ect.

Question 2

Alternate intelligentsia

Answer 2

Middle class liberals wanted to to participate in government and some form of elected parliament.

Students protested against repressive government control

Question 3

Witte’s Economic Policy

Answer 3

Under his policy workers and peasants were squeezed by high taxes and low wages

economic slump after 1902 led to high unemployment and tension

Poor harvests in 1900 and 1902 led to starvation and violence in the countryside

Question 4

Bloody Sunday: 9th January 1905

Answer 4

150,000 men, women and children marched to the Winter Palace - not aggressive and were well disposed to the Tsar
As they approached they were charged at by cavalry and troops opened fire.

Question 5

Peasants

Answer 5

Grievances e.g tax, starvation, poverty and more land

Suffered periodic famines increasing population put pressure on limited resources.

Question 6

1905 Strikes

Answer 6

100,000 took part
Workers across cities protested for better wages and working conditions.

Question 7

Workers

Answer 7

wanted better working and living conditions
Wanted more political power

Question 8

The Russo-Japanese War 1904

Answer 8

Defeats on land and sea shook public
Lost Port Arthur in 1905
Caused food and fuel shortages, high prices and unemployment
Tsar’s government seen as incompetent.

Question 9

National Minorities

Answer 9

wanted more autonomy and independence
wanted an end to Russification

Question 10

Tsarist regime

Answer 10

Weak and indecisive leader
Repressive government
No moves towards a constitutional government
Denied basic freedoms, eg free press
No concessions to nationalists- all protests repressed

Question 11

Father Gapion

Answer 11

A Priest, Organised the march to the Winter Palace, calling for fair wages and representation. His demands escalated tensions.

Question 12

Revolutionaries

Answer 12

Socialist Revolutionaries wanted a peasant revolution.
Social Democrats (Marxists) wanted the Working class to stage a revolution to start a communist state.

Question 13

The Oct Manifesto - Main consequence of the Oct Revolution

Answer 13

October Manifesto October 17th - A Duma was to be set up and no law to be passed unless approved by the duma. Censorship was loosened and more freedom of speech was encouraged. People would have more rights to gather for discussions and meetings. It promised a constitutional monarchy.

Question 14

Political reasons for Revolution

Answer 14

Income Tax: Russia lacked an income tax system; the Tsar heavily taxed peasants.
Ethnic Minorities: Policies of Russification oppressed ethnic minorities.
Marxism: Marxist ideas spread from the 1880s, proposing the overthrow of the ruling classes.
Opposition from Political groups
Government Reforms: Social Democratic and Marxist parties aimed to rally workers and peasants.

Question 15

Economic Reasons for revolution

Answer 15

Land hunger was widespread; peasants were overtaxed and faced grain requisitioning. - Famine. 80% of population were peasants, yet nobility = 1% but owned 25%.
Poor working conditions- work day remained at 11.5 hrs
Russo Japenese War - grain and fuel shortages

Question 16

Religious reasons for revolution

Answer 16

Russification: Suppression of non-Orthodox religions and enforcement of Russian culture - Jews were persecuted
Church’s Role: The Russian Orthodox Church supported autocratic rule.

Question 17

Military reasons for revolution

Answer 17

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905): Russia lost significant battles at Port Arthur and Mukden

May 1905: The Russian Baltic Fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Tsushima in 45 minutes, with over 5,000 sailors killed, cementing Japan’s dominance in the war.

War efforts diverted resources, worsening food and fuel shortages.

over 150,000 casualties during the war exposed military incompetence and outdated tactics.

The humiliation of losing to Japan, an Asian power, damaged Russia’s international prestige.

The defeats and mutinies eroded public and military confidence in the Tsarist regime, fueling revolutionary sentiment.

Question 17

Social reasons for revolution

Answer 17

Most peasants faced overcrowded homes and lacked basic necessities. - 80% of population were peasants

Poor working conditions- included a 11.5 hr working day.

Urban workers lived in squalid conditions, leading to heightened dissatisfaction.

1905 Revolution: Father Gapon led a peaceful march of 100,000 workers on January 22 to petition the Tsar. Troops fired on protesters, causing significant casualties.

Unions like the Assembly of Russian Factory and Mill Workers, founded by Father Gapon, gained support.

Despite suppression, protests continued to demand better working conditions and political reforms.