The 1905 Revolution

What was the Russo-Japanese war (causes and period)?

Russia wanted to expand eastern empire and desire for ice-free port (Port Arthur). Japan also want to control east. Lasted Feb. 1904 - Sep. 1905.

What were the military defeats and outcomes?

Racist Tsar assumed that Russia was bound to triumph over its Asian enemies:

• The Japanese inflicted humiliating defeats on the Russian army and navy (Battle of Muksden and Fleet at Tsushima).

• Russians forced to surrender PA in Jan. 1905.

What were the political and economic consequences of the war?

• Food prices rose, while wages stayed the same - protests and strikes started.

Revealed Nicholas II’s:

• refused to listen to bad news from the war.

• appointed generals with little war experience.

• had little understanding of economics or modern military strategy.

What was Bloody Sunday?

In Jan. 1905 a priest called Father Gapon led 150,000 protestors to the Winter Palace to present a petition asking for better pay and conditions.

What was the response to Bloody Sunday and the consequnces?

Local officials called in the army to maintain control. Soldiers opened fire on the crowd - 200 people were killed and 800 wounded.

• Massacre helped unite different groups.

• BS undermined the myth that the Tsar was a caring “little father” to the people.

• Waves of protests broke out - by Feb. 1905, 400,000 workers were on strike in repsonse.

What was the 1905 revolution and what were the different forms of revolt?

Was a series of spontaneous uprisings, not a coordinated attack:

• By summer, authorities had lost control of around 15% of rural Russia - violence against gov. officials , landowners and gov. property.

• Finns and Poles rebelled - violence in cities such as Warsaw and Lodz in Poland - by early November the Tar had been forced to end the policy of Russification in Finland.

• Mutiny of Battleship Potemkin and Kronstadt naval base.

• In Oct. in Odessa, at least 400 Jews were killed and over 1,600 Jewish homes were destroyed.

What was the St Petersburg Soviet?

An elected committee comprising of 500 delegates, representing 200,000 across 147 factories.

What was the Soviet’s impact and the role of Trotsky?

St Petersburg was the first of many - by end of Oct., 50 towns, including Moscow and Odessa, had their own soviets - also started political campaigns.

Leon Trotsky played a leading role among the member of the RSDLP - helped soviet avoid confrontations with the govenrment.

How did the Soviet end?

Closed by force in earl Dec. Tsarist troops stormed a meeting whilst Trotsky was speaking.