Revision Session 3Revision Session 3

Russia 1855-1917Russia 1855-1917

ReactionReaction

Opposition to Tsarist RuleOpposition to Tsarist Rule Problem with autocracy is it doesn’t allow Problem with autocracy is it doesn’t allow

a legal way of complaining or protestinga legal way of complaining or protesting People had to use demonstrations or People had to use demonstrations or

violence to be heardviolence to be heard 1876 a group called Land and Liberty was 1876 a group called Land and Liberty was

formedformed It lead the Populist MovementIt lead the Populist Movement The intention of this group was to The intention of this group was to

encourage the peasants to rebel against encourage the peasants to rebel against their communestheir communes

But peasants were conservative and any But peasants were conservative and any uprisings were easily crushed by the policeuprisings were easily crushed by the police

Opposition to Tsarist RuleOpposition to Tsarist Rule A more dangerous group was called ‘The A more dangerous group was called ‘The

People’s Will’People’s Will’ They formed the extreme section of the They formed the extreme section of the

Populist MovementPopulist Movement Prepared to use violence against the Prepared to use violence against the

governmentgovernment They managed to assasinate Tsar They managed to assasinate Tsar

Alexander II in March 1881Alexander II in March 1881 The new Tsar used violence to crush all The new Tsar used violence to crush all

terrorist organisations. He ended his terrorist organisations. He ended his father’s reforms and dissident groups were father’s reforms and dissident groups were arrestedarrested

Opposition to Tsarist RuleOpposition to Tsarist Rule

The suppression of opposition groups The suppression of opposition groups continued throughout reign of Alex III and continued throughout reign of Alex III and his son Nicholas IIhis son Nicholas II

Until in 1898 The Social Democratic Party Until in 1898 The Social Democratic Party was set up by Georgi Plekhanovwas set up by Georgi Plekhanov

Plekhanov was a MarxistPlekhanov was a Marxist He believed that power lay with the He believed that power lay with the

peasants and workers NOT with the peasants and workers NOT with the nobility or the traditional ruling classesnobility or the traditional ruling classes

Opposition to Tsarist RuleOpposition to Tsarist Rule The Social Democrats remained a small The Social Democrats remained a small

organisationorganisation In 1901 The Socialist Revolutionaries were In 1901 The Socialist Revolutionaries were

foundedfounded They concentrated on winning the support They concentrated on winning the support

of the peasantsof the peasants They were more successful at recruiting They were more successful at recruiting

then the Social Democratsthen the Social Democrats They were very violent between 1902 and They were very violent between 1902 and

1904 killing the uncle of Nicholas II (Grand 1904 killing the uncle of Nicholas II (Grand Duke Sergei) and Plehve, Minister of the Duke Sergei) and Plehve, Minister of the InteriorInterior

Opposition to Tsarist RuleOpposition to Tsarist Rule

Nicholas II took no notice of the Nicholas II took no notice of the protestsprotests

When a peaceful organisation ‘The When a peaceful organisation ‘The Union of Liberation’ was set up he Union of Liberation’ was set up he had nothing to do with ithad nothing to do with it

He believed he was chosen by GodHe believed he was chosen by God Noone could tell him what to doNoone could tell him what to do People began to realise that violence People began to realise that violence

might be the only waymight be the only way

Growth of TerrorismGrowth of Terrorism Key moment in growth of terrorism was Key moment in growth of terrorism was

1903 when the Social Democrats met in 1903 when the Social Democrats met in London for a Party CongressLondon for a Party Congress

They were forced to leave Russia having They were forced to leave Russia having been hunted down by the Okhranabeen hunted down by the Okhrana

In London Plekhanov and Lenin (leader of In London Plekhanov and Lenin (leader of the more radical wing) disagreed over the more radical wing) disagreed over many thingsmany things

There were more people there who agreed There were more people there who agreed with Lenin’s views and so the majority with Lenin’s views and so the majority (Bolshevik’s) broke away and formed a (Bolshevik’s) broke away and formed a new group under Leninnew group under Lenin

Growth of TerrorismGrowth of Terrorism The Bolsheviks (under Lenin) believed in a The Bolsheviks (under Lenin) believed in a

small party, committed to revolution to small party, committed to revolution to overthrow the tsar, prepared to use any overthrow the tsar, prepared to use any means including violencemeans including violence

The Mensheviks (under Plekhanov) The Mensheviks (under Plekhanov) believed that anyone who opposed the believed that anyone who opposed the tsar could join and that they should win tsar could join and that they should win power peacefullypower peacefully

Although the division of the Social Although the division of the Social Democrats was very important. Both Democrats was very important. Both groups were banned from Russia in 1903 groups were banned from Russia in 1903 and forced to live abroadand forced to live abroad

Russia under Nicholas IIRussia under Nicholas II

Even at the beginning of the 20th C Russia Even at the beginning of the 20th C Russia was a very backward countrywas a very backward country

2% of the population worked in industry2% of the population worked in industry 80% worked in agriculture80% worked in agriculture 80% Illiteracy 80% Illiteracy Many Russians distrust western ideasMany Russians distrust western ideas Extremes of wealth and povertyExtremes of wealth and poverty 2 main cities St. Petersburg and Moscow 2 main cities St. Petersburg and Moscow

(number of people living here doubled (number of people living here doubled between 1880 and 1914)between 1880 and 1914)

Russia under Nicholas IIRussia under Nicholas II

Nicholas was weak and easily ledNicholas was weak and easily led He did not want to become TsarHe did not want to become Tsar He often changed his mind – after He often changed his mind – after

1905 he set up a Duma but went 1905 he set up a Duma but went back on his word and never really let back on his word and never really let it have any powerit have any power

He believed that he had the RIGHT to He believed that he had the RIGHT to be Tsar and an autocratbe Tsar and an autocrat

Russia under Nicholas IIRussia under Nicholas II Some things had changed for the betterSome things had changed for the better Finance Minister – Sergei Witte – had encouraged Finance Minister – Sergei Witte – had encouraged

Russian industry to developRussian industry to develop He borrowed money from French banks to pay for He borrowed money from French banks to pay for

new factoriesnew factories Most were built in St. PetersburgMost were built in St. Petersburg Thousands of people flocked to cities to find workThousands of people flocked to cities to find work They found themselves living together in crowded They found themselves living together in crowded

blocks of flatsblocks of flats Whilst population of cities rose (by up to 50%) Whilst population of cities rose (by up to 50%)

little was done to change living conditionslittle was done to change living conditions More strikes, rising food prices and unrestMore strikes, rising food prices and unrest These were conditions which encouraged people These were conditions which encouraged people

to support Lenin and the Bolsheviksto support Lenin and the Bolsheviks

The 1905 RevolutionThe 1905 Revolution

1904 Russia went to war with Japan1904 Russia went to war with Japan Humiliating defeat led to protests in 1905Humiliating defeat led to protests in 1905 Most important = Bloody SundayMost important = Bloody Sunday 9th January 1905 Father Gapon led a 9th January 1905 Father Gapon led a

procession of Russian Workers to the procession of Russian Workers to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg with a Winter Palace in St. Petersburg with a petitionpetition

Nicholas II’s troops opened fire on the Nicholas II’s troops opened fire on the crowdcrowd

At least 200 died and 800 were woundedAt least 200 died and 800 were wounded

What effects did Bloody Sunday What effects did Bloody Sunday have?have?

Massacre is an important factor in the outbreak of Massacre is an important factor in the outbreak of revolutionrevolution

Father Gapon was a government spy! And was Father Gapon was a government spy! And was killed later by a Socialist Revolutionarykilled later by a Socialist Revolutionary

The event showed that Nicholas II did not care for The event showed that Nicholas II did not care for his peoplehis people

It led to an outbreak of terrorism and unrestIt led to an outbreak of terrorism and unrest Grand Duke Sergei was assasinatedGrand Duke Sergei was assasinated Along with this there were two major defeats in Along with this there were two major defeats in

the war with Japan – in March 89,000 Russian the war with Japan – in March 89,000 Russian soldiers were killed at Mukden andin May the soldiers were killed at Mukden andin May the Russian Fleet was destroyed at the battle of Russian Fleet was destroyed at the battle of TsushimaTsushima

The Russian Revolution of 1905The Russian Revolution of 1905

It was a spontaneous protest at the It was a spontaneous protest at the rule of Nicholas IIrule of Nicholas II

In March Nicholas II announced his In March Nicholas II announced his intention to call a consultative intention to call a consultative assembly but didn’tassembly but didn’t

In May Paul Miliukov created the In May Paul Miliukov created the Union of Unions to demand Union of Unions to demand parliamentary government and parliamentary government and universal suffrageuniversal suffrage

The Russian Revolution of 1905The Russian Revolution of 1905 In August the Tsar annouced the creation of a In August the Tsar annouced the creation of a

Duma which was to be elected under limited Duma which was to be elected under limited franchisefranchise

This was rejected and a general strike began in This was rejected and a general strike began in OctoberOctober

This spread rapidlyThis spread rapidly On 26th October the St.Petersburg Soviet was On 26th October the St.Petersburg Soviet was

formedformed This represented the workers of the city and This represented the workers of the city and

seemed to control the cityseemed to control the city It forced the Tsar to take actionIt forced the Tsar to take action The Tsar finally acted and published the October The Tsar finally acted and published the October

Manifesto on 30th October 1905Manifesto on 30th October 1905

The October ManifestoThe October Manifesto

Nicholas II promisedNicholas II promised Civil Liberties for all peopleCivil Liberties for all people Freedom of conscience, speech, Freedom of conscience, speech,

assembly and associationassembly and association Creation of a state DumaCreation of a state Duma This would have to agree all laws and This would have to agree all laws and

would be elected by universal would be elected by universal suffragesuffrage

The October ManifestoThe October Manifesto

Nicholas set up a Duma in 1906Nicholas set up a Duma in 1906 He ignored it and closed it down after He ignored it and closed it down after

a few weeksa few weeks The following Dumas all had less The following Dumas all had less

power than the one beforepower than the one before Nicholas had no intention of sharing Nicholas had no intention of sharing

the powerthe power

The Impact of the First World WarThe Impact of the First World War

Russia declared war in Austria and Russia declared war in Austria and Germany in 1914Germany in 1914

Russia did not realise how strong the Russia did not realise how strong the German army wasGerman army was

Russian army was poorly equipped and Russian army was poorly equipped and old-fashionedold-fashioned

Messages were sent by radio which could Messages were sent by radio which could be easily translated by the Germansbe easily translated by the Germans

The army relied on the bayonetThe army relied on the bayonet Had very few machine gunsHad very few machine guns

The Impact of the First World WarThe Impact of the First World War

Russian industry was not able to keep the Russian industry was not able to keep the army suppliedarmy supplied

Troops were poorly trainedTroops were poorly trained 6 million men in the army but only 4.5 6 million men in the army but only 4.5

million riflesmillion rifles Inadequate medical suppliesInadequate medical supplies Thousands of casualties left unattendedThousands of casualties left unattended Railway network was inadequate and soon Railway network was inadequate and soon

broke downbroke down Plenty of food but not enough locomotives Plenty of food but not enough locomotives

to pull the trainsto pull the trains This led to severe food shortagesThis led to severe food shortages

The Impact of the First World WarThe Impact of the First World War

In Petrograd (St. Petersburg) the prices In Petrograd (St. Petersburg) the prices rose by 300%rose by 300%

People flocked to the cities to work in People flocked to the cities to work in munitions factories but the infrastructure munitions factories but the infrastructure couldn’t copecouldn’t cope

Nicholas II appointed himself Commander Nicholas II appointed himself Commander in Chief of the army to try to deal with the in Chief of the army to try to deal with the problemsproblems

He left his wife, Alexandra, in chargeHe left his wife, Alexandra, in charge Rasputin became more powerful through Rasputin became more powerful through

the Tsarina and influenced politics e.g. by the Tsarina and influenced politics e.g. by dismissing ministersdismissing ministers

The Impact of the First World WarThe Impact of the First World War

Alexandra was very unpopular – she was Alexandra was very unpopular – she was ignorant a easily led and Germanignorant a easily led and German

She gave her husband a misleading view She gave her husband a misleading view about what was going on in Petrograd – about what was going on in Petrograd – she thought the unrest was unimportant she thought the unrest was unimportant ‘hooliganism’ and failed to tell Nicholas ‘hooliganism’ and failed to tell Nicholas what was going onwhat was going on

In 1916 Rasputin was murderedIn 1916 Rasputin was murdered By 1917 the unrest in Russia was spiralling By 1917 the unrest in Russia was spiralling

out of control and another Revolution was out of control and another Revolution was underway… this time Lenin and the underway… this time Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to take controlBolsheviks were able to take control