The 1905 Revolution Flashcards
What were the long term causes of the 1905 revolution?
•Autocratic rule of the Tsar
•Growing opposition (liberals, socialists, national minorities)
•Industrialization → poor working/living conditions
•Peasant land hunger and redemption payments
•Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)
What was Bloody Sunday (1905)
•In 1904 Nicholas lost a war with Japan which undermined his authority
•22 January 1905 a Peaceful march led by Father Gapon to present a petition to the Tsar began
•Protesters wanted better conditions and political representation
•Soldiers (Cossacks) opened fire, killing 200-1000 people
• This Destroyed faith in the Tsar and sparked nationwide protests
In response to Bloody Sunday what did The Tsar publish?
•He published the October manifesto
What was the October manifesto?
•Issued by Nicholas II on 17 October 1905 to calm unrest
•It promised the Creation of a Duma (parliament) which caused many middle class people called the Octoberists to support him
•It promised Civil liberties (freedom of speech, assembly, etc.), Right to form political parties
• There was split opposition liberals accepted it, socialists rejected it
Other than the October manifesto what else did The tsar do in the aftermath of Bloody Sunday?
• Hoa taxes on the pool and brought Peter stolypin as his Prime Minister
•The okrahana tracked down an arrested, many revolutionaries
Did The Duma retain power?
•Just when Russia had hope of a new country, one of liberty and democracy
•The tsar stopped listening to Duma
• although it existed, it had no power
How did the Tsar regain control after the 1905 revolution?
•December 1905: Troops crushed worker uprisings in Moscow and other cities
•Fundamental Laws (1906): Limited the power of the Duma, reaffirmed the Tsar’s authority
•Use of repression: Thousands arrested or executed under Stolypin’s “Necktie” (hangings)
What were the fundamental laws of 1906?
•Issued before the First Duma met
Reasserted Tsarist autocracy
As The Tsar could: Veto laws, Dissolve the Duma, Control the army and foreign policy, Rule by decree in emergencies
•The Duma effectively had no real power as the Tsar could overrule them especially in cases of “emergencies”
What happened in the first Duma? (1906)
•Dominated by liberals (Kadets) and reformists
• the Kadets were a liberal Democratic Party
• the belief centered around the constitutional monarchy representative democracy, and the rule of law
• advocated for parliamentary system, and civil liberty, such as freedom of speech, press and assembly
Like other Russian parties, the cadets were formed due in the politically fertile month of 1905, though they had deeper origins
•Called for land reform and reduction of Tsar’s power
What happened in the second Duma?
•More radical (included socialists)
•Clashed with the Tsar and government
•Dissolved after four months
The third Duma?
•Stolypin changed the voting system to favor the upper classes
•More conservative and cooperative with the government
•Passed some reforms (education, military improvements)
• The Octoberists became a dominant party
• They are more conservative than the cadets and generally loyal to Tsarism
• They derived their name from the October manifesto a document that enthusiastically endorsed as the solution to Russia’s problem
• affordable name was Mikhali Rodzianko who served as chairman of the Duma
Why were the Octoberists important?
•Represented moderate, pro-Tsarist reformers.
•Helped stabilize the Duma system after 1907.
•Showed that even supporters of the Tsar became frustrated with his refusal to share power
Why did the Duma fail to bring democracy?
•Tsar dissolved the first two Dumas
•Voting system rigged in favor of nobles and landowners
•Fundamental Laws meant the Tsar held ultimate power
•Repression (Stolypin’s policies, secret police) prevented real change
