Nicholas ll Flashcards
What threats did Nicholas ll face
Revolutionary ideologies
World war l
Opposition groups
Industrialisation and modernisation
Food shortages and inflation
Worker strikes and protests
Russo Japanese war defeat impact
Inflicted humiliating defeat leading to domestic unrest and catalysing the revolution of 1905. And caused the renewal of duma assemblies and the invitation Zemstva representation.
Fundamentalist laws of 1906
Allowed tsar to dissolve Dumas at any point and to control the orthodox, church. To command the army and navy. outturn verdict given in a court of law. These asserted his autocratic principles of power and control.
Duma 1 1906
Mostly radical liberals and requested radical reforms. Dissolved in July when Stolypin became prime minister.
Duma 2 1907
Bolshevik and Menshevik participated and opposed the government. Dissolved as they refused stolypin reforms.
Duma 3 1907
Agreed to the majority of government proposals, but disputed some reforms. Suspended twice in 1911. wanted Nicholas to reestablish the government and appoint new ministers
Duma 4 1912
Became a vocal point of opposition to the imperial regime. Ignored by government and dissolved due to political conflict between tsar and duma
Political developments by 1914
Stolypin’s ruthless restoration of the country side
Agricultural reform improved agrarian situation
Dumas influence became nonexistent
Revolutionary groups weakened due to police activity
Problems of political developments by 1914
Labour troubles resurfaced in 1912 and the influence on tsar and tsarina of Rasputin damaged Nicholas’s reputation among his supporters
Sergei witte 1892-1903
Financial minister who developed railway to almost double the size, coal output quadrupled and strengthened the currency. Foreign investment soared and new rouble was introduced backed by the value of gold
State developments of heavy industries
State controlled 70% of railway and drove industrialisation, funded public works and development Russia’s infrastructure. Developed mines and oil fields and forests for timber. Reequipped a more efficient army after the Russo Japanese war.
From 1884-1913 …..
Russia’s annual growth rate was more than 8% per annum. The growth was particularly marked in railways in heavy industry.
Railways positive impacts
Stimulated the development of industries including coal and oil. Allowed extensive exploitation of raw materials and improved communication across the empire. Caused a fall in transportation resulting in reduced cost of goods. Raised state funds through passenger fares.
Railways negative impacts
Slowed down from 1908 and during ww1 was only used to transport weapons and food. Drained Russia’s expenditure and cost a lot to run
By 1913…..
Russia had the 2nd largest railway network in the world
Heavy industry under Alexander lll
Sergi Whitt wanted to concentrate production in developing large factory units of over 1000 or so workers. This led to oil production trebling, light industries and textiles growth and Russia became able to compete with America on the international market
By 1914 …..
Russia was the fourth largest producer of coal pig-iron and steel, the world’s second biggest oil produce and forth in gold mining, and the fifth largest industrial power.
Developments in agriculture
Stolypin wanted individual peasants to own their land, rather than as a collection of scattered strips. He believed that they should be able to develop it as they wished. Stalling aimed at producing more kulaks partly to win their loyalty to the tsarist regime, and partly to develop the economy.
Stolypins reforms 1906-1910
1906- peasant land banks to help raise funds of ownership, more land open for peasant ownership, peasants to be granted equal rights
1907 - redemption fees abolished
1910 - communes were dissolved
Positive results of stolypins agricultural reforms
Larger farms were developed as land was transferred, peasant ownership of land was increased, grain production rose annually, 3.5 million peasants moved away from overpopulated rural district. kulaks prospered and became a rural elite
Limitations of stolypins, agricultural reforms
Changes to land arrangements were a long process, only 10% of land had been transferred from communal to private ownership. 90% of peasants were still holding traditional strips. 50% of land remain in the hands of nobility. Fewer than one percent achieved kulak status.
liberal opposition
Liberalism is a political and more philosophy based on the rights of an individual. Right to private property and equality before the law
The growth of liberal opposition to 1905
1899 radical members secretly met up to discuss reforms
1903 Union of liberation pushed for constitutional system through which urban workers could campaign to improve their conditions.
1904 union invited representatives of the Zemstvas to a grand meeting
Social Democratic Party 1898
Believed that the working class had been exploited by their masters would be the product of class struggle.
Social Democratic party split 1903
Split into Bolshevik and Menshevik over a dispute of Bolsheviks believing in revolutionary assassinations to make change happen
Social revolutionary party 1899
Combined Marxist teaching with populist ideas, and try to reunite peasants and workers in fighting against autocracy. Attempted to stir up discontent in the countryside and strikes in the towns.
Trade unions 1905
Legalised after the 1905 Revolution enclosed down after 1906. In 1912, the shooting of unarmed demonstrators at the Lena Goldfield massacre triggered a wave of strikes, but these were forcefully suppressed
How were the social Democratic party and revolutionary party weakened
Their leaders were exiled
Rivalry between both parties
The social democratic split
Secret police (Okhrana) success
Lack of finance
shortage of secret printing presses
