1905 Revolution Flashcards
Who were the Populists?
Future of Russia in hands of peasants
‘Going to the people’
1879 ‘People’s Will’ assassination of AII
Established a violent anti-tsarist tradition
Didn’t work because peasants not interested in political revolution, and assassinating AII gave them a bad rep.
Who were the social revolutionaries?
Led by Victor Chernov. Supported peasant anarchism.
In 1891 widened term ‘people’ to include workers
Made up of two groups, left and right, left violent, right more moderate
1901-5 Left - 2000 political assassinations
After 1905 Revolutions, concessions to liberals, right to take over
Popular with peasants ‘returning the land to those who worked it’
Fractured, but until 1917 they were the party with the largest popular following in Russia.
Who were the Social Democrats?
Marxists
Revolution in the hands of the proletariat
‘No revolution ever waits for formal majorities’ - Lenin vs Plek
Lenin returned from exile in 1900,published ‘What is to be Done?’ in 1902, a strong attack on Plekhanov’s desire for a large party and his policy of ‘economism’
Split into Bolsheviks (Lenin) and Mensheviks (Plekhanov and Martov) in 1903
How many Bolsheviks were there before 1914 and in 1917?
5-10,000 and then 25,000
Very small
Why did liberals never form a common front before 1905 (or even before 1917)?
Until October Manifesto political parties were illegal in Russia
This made parties suspicious of each other, and cooperation difficult to organise
Reformers and liberals were made up of industrialists, lawyers and financiers from economic boom in 1890s and nationalist element from ethnic minorities.
When was the Union of Liberation founded and what was its aim?
1904 - Leaders Paul Milyukov and Peter Struve.
Aim to abolish Autocracy, replace with a constitutional regime with democracy.
Paved way for 1905 revolutions, but was unable to bring various liberal groups together in a single coherent movement with one purpose.
Who were the Octobrists?
Moderates, loyal to the tsar and his government, wanted constitutional advances like the Duma and OM
Made up of industrialists and large land owners - fear of peasant uprisings and social revolutions.
Led by Alexander Guchkov and Mikhail Rodzianko
Appealed for a ‘strong and authoritative regime’ to work with representatives of the people’ to bring peace to Russia. Would criticise, not overthrow tsardom.
Who were the Kadets?
1905 - Constitutional Democrats
Largest of liberal parties
Wanted Russia to develop as a constitutional monarchy in which the powers of the tsar would be restricted by a democratically elected National Assembly
Made up of progressive landlords, smaller industrial entrepreneurs, artisans and academics
Led by Paul Milyukov
In the Duma the Kadets were the most outspoken critics of the tsar
What was the Kadets’ program?
National Assembly Equality and civil rights End censorship Abolition of redemption payments on land Trade Unions and right to strike Universal free education
When was the Russo-Japanese War?
1904-5
What were the motives of fighting the Russo-Japanese War?
Expansionist policy
To obtain a free-ice port (warm water port)
To distract attention from Russia’s domestic troubles with a patriotic struggle
Course of the Russo-Japanese War
Russia greatly underestimated the strength of Japan
Port Arthur fell to Japan in January 1905, Mukden in February
Japanese fleet destroyed the Russian Baltic fleet at Tsushima in May 1905, forcing Russian government to make peace
National humiliation
The incompetence of the government, which the war exposed, excited social unrest, increased tension leading to 1905 revolution
Outcome of Russo-Japanese War
The Zemstvo Union was the most vocal critic of the war effort. AIII had trimmed their powers in 1890 counter-reforms and changed the franchise to guarantee dominance of the nobility. But this didn’t buy off the critics - still progressive nobles considered themselves ‘loyal opposition’ and were outspoken - like Prince Lvov. Opposed misgovernment.
Reasons for 1905 Revolution
‘The general dissatisfaction of all classes with the government and their open hostility against it’ Tolstoy, 1902 Open Address to NII
Not opposition to tsarist tyranny, but to tsarist incompetence
First time the government had faced the 3 main opposition classes: proletariat, peasantry and middle class, at once.
It was the tsarist regime’s ill-judged policies that turned the disturbances of 1905 into a direct challenge to its own authority
When was Bloody Sunday? What happened?
22 January 1905
Father Georgi Gapon attempted to lead a peaceful march of workers to the Winter Palace
The March induced panic in police forces, crowds were fired on and charged by the cavalry - about 200 marchers were killed
Depicted as a deliberate massacre - damaged image of NII as the ‘Little Father’
