Russian Revolution Midterm 2 Flashcards
Imperial Russia
Geographic area
caught between Europe and Asia
Seen as a frontier country on the margin
Origin of the Russian State
Identity
mid 15th century onward, territorial expansion
Russian identity culturally distinct and isolated from western European developments
Economy and Industry lag
Peter the Great
1682-1725 attempted to westernize empire. Reform that impacted all aspects of Russian life
Trying to gain access to an ice free coast
18th Century Russia
European Great Power- expansion and diplomacy in European state system. Alliances
Fending off Napolean
Facade, Russia remains steadfastly autocratic, economy lagged behind Western Europe, population remained in state of serfdom
Russian Economy
economy lag, industrial revolution arrived late, and progressed slowly. Serfdom majority, poor education
19th Century
Liberal ideology trickling in from Europe, sought to apply it to Russian conditions
Decemberist Revolt
Dec. 1825- first revolutionary group against the Tsarists regime. Coup detat
Quickly repressed by Nicholas I
It failed because it was unorganized, had no leadership and had no support from the masses
Karl Marx
1818-1883
German philosopher
called for a two stage revolutionary process. Class consciousness organized by elite to overthrow absolute monarchies. Eventually the workers overthrow capitalist class and form a dictatorship of proletariat. Socialism to communism
Not really applicable to multi ethnic, agrarian Russia
George Pelkhanov
1856-1918 Russian Marxist wanted to apply theory to Russia with an adaptation
Workers central to revolution, transplant slowly in to Russia
Russian workers will not adopt on their own
Foundation for secret socialists parties (Vladmir Ulianov Lenin)
Vanguard
elite group to spread political ideology among workers
history needs a push
Daniel Bell
Vladimir Lenin
Russian radical applied Marxist theory to social, economic and political conditions in Russia
1) alliance of industrial workers with peasants
2) promoted centralist authoritarian party as central to workers resolution
3) rejected two stage revolution
Russian Social Democratic Party Split between Lenin and Pelkhanov but Lenin had majority
Alexander II
Alexander the Liberator
paid more attention to neglected domestic issues, liberalized education (made it available to all classes)
Imperial Decrees
1861 and 1861 abolished serfdom Abolished because: fear of a peasant rebellion, an increased public sentiment for emancipation Crimean War (1853-1856) revealed the deficiencies of serfdom (condition of recruits) Economy lagged behind, defeats in war damaged prestige of regime, encouraged reform
Zemstvos
elected self governing bodies on the communal, district and provincial levels
became outlets for liberal ideas
Tsar Nicholas II
modest and polite but not suited to lead
Married to German princess Alexandra of Hesse- moral conservative, mystic and trusted advisory
Suspicious of liberalism and democracy
Blamed Peter the Great for the impact of the enlightenment
Problems that lead to Dissatisfaction with the Tsar
1) Land question and the imperial decrees that abolished serfdom. Decrees didn’t free them from village commune
Land shared collectively, no peasant had right to land, supervised by communes. Hampered peasants and divided classes
Heavy taxes and redemption payments. POVERTY
2) Nationality question. empire composed of many ethnic groups. Alienation of non-russian. Russification “Russia for Russians”
3) Industrialization and the meergence of a large industrial working class. inadequate working conditions, labour exploitation, view Tsar as protector but view shifts to oppressor
4) Russo Japanese War 1904-1905.
5) The First World War 1914-1918
Russo Japanese War
1904-1905 Unrest at home, political demonstrations and strikes by industrial workers in St. Petersburg
Dealt with using violence
Bloody Sunday Massacre
Jan 9 1905 mass demonstrations at Winter Palace to Tsar on behalf of workers. Continue to march despite warnings
Violent put downs
Change of view of Tsar not father and protector
October Manifesto
Oct 17th 1905 addressed grievances. Bill of Rights, Legislative Assembly: Duma - elected deputies Upper House- Council of state appointed or elected
Results of 1905 Uprising
dress rehearsal for 1917
no new ruler, no class power transfer, no shift in foreign policy, no significant change to the socio-economic
Workers and peasants don’t have support of armed forces and bureaucrats
Creation of Duma and October Manifesto
Duma had little power
Tsarist regime survived but shaken and weakened
