Part one: The end of Tsardom Flashcards
The economy of Russia in 1900
- In 1914 85% of the population were still peasants.
- Peasants had to practise subsistence farming.
- Economically, the vast majority of the population contributed very little to Russian society.
- Under a succession of Tsarist ministers (Bunge, Witte and Stolypin) railways were built, foreign investment attracted and landholdings reformed.
- Economic growth rates averaged 5% from 1900–1914. These were huge rates of change.
- Industrial growth was centred on weapons because Tsar Nicholas II wanted to protect Russia’s position as a great power. However, oil, textiles, minerals and iron and steel were the industries most affected by economic growth.
Society of Russia in 1900
- 80% of population were peasants
- Some peasants (kulaks) did well
- Wealthy nobles who made up 1% of population owned 25% of land
- A small middle class made up of doctors,lawyers,teachers was emerging
- Less than 50% were actually russian
Living & working conditions in towns and cities
- Nearly 1 million peasants arrived in the city for work
- Wages were low
- Living conditions were overcrowded with 10 or more sharing a room
- Working hours were long- up to 15 hours a day
- Trade unions were banned and strikes were illegal
Political structure of Russia in 1900
- Russia was an empire ruled by Tsar (emperor)
- It was an autocracy; monarch didn’t have to share power with anyone else
- Aristocracy advised Tsar or acted as governors of regions
- Tsar relied on thousands of civil servants
- Local assemblies (zemstva) helped control country
How did Tsar Nicholas II maintain control?
- The secret police (Okhrana) censored books and newspapers & arrested anyone who criticised the government
- Political prisoners were tried in special courts & usually exiled to Siberia
- The cossacks dealt with riots
- The Russian orthodox church taught people that god appointed the tsar and to respect autocracy and be loyal to the tsar
Nicholas II- an effective ruler?
- Loyal to family and was hardworking
- Avoided making difficult decisions
- Managed officials poorly and felt threatened by able ministers
- Avoided confrontation
- Appointed family members most of which were corrupt or incompetent
Cause of Discontent in Pre-Revolutionary Russia;
Land reform was badly needed in Russia.
Most of the land was in the hands of the wealthy.
Great division between the rich and poor.
Factory workers earned very little.
During the WWI, men were forced from the factories, and sent into the army.
This discontent let to rioting. In many cases this was caused by the poor people’s inability to feed their families.
Growth of revolutionary opposition:
Liberals/cadets
- middle class
- wanted more democracy and an elected parliament which shares power with monarchy like in britain.
- peaceful protest and gradual change
Growth of revolutionary opposition socialist revolutionaries (SRs)
- peasants and town workers
- wanted to take away land from rich landowners and give it to the peasants
- violence:murder, revolution and assassination
Growth of revolutionary opposition: Socialist democrats (SDs)
- some people in the towns
- wanted to follow the ideas of Karl Marx and create a communist society where everyone is equal
- Revolution
What incident led to the revolution of 1905?
Bloody sunday when at least a hundred peaceful protesters were killed and a hundred others were injuired
In the countryside the peasants rioted. They killed their landlords & burnt their farms; they seized the land for themselves
This was a serious threat because the peasants made up 80% of the population; that was a huge number of people who were angry and out of control
In towns workers went on strike demanding an 8hr day,higher wages & better conditions. There were barricades in streets and workers set up councils called soviets to run the towns
This was a serious threat because the Tsar has lost control of the workers who are ignoring him and obeying the soviets. They could join forces with the peasants
Middle class liberals demanded an elected government,freedom of speech and the right to form political parties
This was a serious threat because the middle classes were rich and educated making them dangerous opponents.For the first time they have joined forces with the peasants & workers against the Tsar
The crew of the battleship Potemkin mutinied in support of striking workers. they threw their officers overboard & took control of the ship
This was a serious threat because it shows that the Tsar couldn’t rely on the armed forces to deal with the trouble;the sailors have turned against him & the army could be next
