The Collapse of the Russian Empire, 1894-1917 Flashcards
After Nicholas II took over, the modernization of Russia became a problem for the regime. The pressure from angry workers caused Russian autocracy to collapse.
Opposition groups: The Liberals
The Zemstva classed as ‘the seeds of liberalism’.
Included liberal leaning nobility and middle classes.
Had a real desire to improve social conditions.
They wanted to see reforms; extensions of freedoms and civil rights and more participation in government.
Opposition groups: Social revolutionaries (SRs)
Grew out of the populist movement.
Wide variety of views similar to both the Black partition and the people’s will.
They eventually merged into the Socialist Revolutionary Party in 1901.
Was not coordinated or centrally controlled.
Carried out many assassinations of government officials.
Opposition groups: The Social Democrats (SDs)
A group of socialist exiles formed the Social Democrat Labour party in 1898.
They published newspapers to spark revolutionary activity and support for Marxism.
George Plekhanov and Lenin were main leaders of the party.
The SDs split in 1903 into two groups due to idealogical differences.
Opposition groups: Bolsheviks
Led by Lenin.
Aim was to bring socialist consciousness to workers and lead a revolution.
They had discipline, firm leadership and simple solgans and aims.
They had a centralised leadership ironically suggesting future dictatorship.
Opposition groups: Mensheviks
Led by Plekhanov.
Aims were to follow Marxism until the time came for a socialist uprising.
The party attracted lots of intelligentsia as they were democratic, accepting and encouraged trade unions to help working class improve their conditions.
Causes of the 1905 revolution: Russo-Japanese War 1905-05
The defeat at the hands of the Japanese led to immense humiliation for Russia including several defeats, a retreat and a decimation of the navy in under an hour.
The war acted as a catalyst for meltdown in 1905:
People were angry at the humiliation and needless death of soldiers.
The government looked reckless and incapable.
People demanded a change in how the country was governed.
The war had a significant economic impact, causing trading shortages, rising food prices and increasing unemployment.
Causes of the 1905 revolution: Bloody Sunday January 1905
A strike and peaceful march ended up with Cossacks open firing on the protesters.
This broke the trust and bond between the Tsar and his people.
Strikes and disorder spread to other cities. Demonstrations and disturbances increased in frequency.
The regime had lost control of the country.
The October Manifesto - Oct 1905
As a result of the Strikes during the revolution, Witte gave the Tsar two options:
Put down the revolution brutally or introduce reforms (the favoured option).
The manifesto conceded:
Civil liberties, freedom of speech and end of censorship.
An elected Duma.
The Dumas
Nicholas established elected assemblies for a new governmental system.
First Duma 1906 - hostile and radical, no one could agree
Second Duma 1907 - much more radical than the first and by driven by disagreement and anger.
Third Duma - it was much more cooperative and productive.
Fourth Duma - interrupted by the outbreak of war and favoured the right moreso than the left.
How did the regime regain control after the revolution?
The army remained loyal to the Tsar.
The Tsar kept the support of the military.
Brutal repressive means were used to bring people into line and submission.
People had different aims with the revolution and did not band together to oppose the Tsar effectively.
The revolutionary parties didn’t play a big role as they were not ready.
Stolypin
Strong supporter of the Autocracy but understood that reform was essential
He wanted to focus on agriculture and feeding the peasants so that they would be strong and support the Tsar.
He worked with the Duma to push his reforms through.
He was assassinated before he could push his reforms of civil rights and local governments.
Had he not died, Russia could’ve taken a different path entirely.
How revolutionary was Russia by 1914?
There was a revival of militancy in 1912. Many strokes and protests began.
Support for the Bolsheviks was rising
However in other areas of Russia there were no indications of revolution:
Villages were quite
Army remained loyal
Liberal opposition was weak.
Government repression had decimated the revolutionary parties.
Impact of WW1
When war broke out in August, Russia’s domestic problems were temporarily forgotten, ‘the people and the Tsar were one’.
WWI: At the front
Had the largest army.
Early successes against the austro-hungarians.
Heavy losses from the Germans.
Quality of leadership was lacking . No clear command structure and lack of equaietn and supplies.
Nonetheless it remained a fighting force by 1917.
WWI: The home front
Incredible number of casualties (8million)
Severe food shortages
Railway had collapsed.
Inflation.
