Russian Revolutionary Events (key q 1-3 atm)

Pre-Revolutionary Context ## The Tsar found it was difficult to rule empire due to the size, climate, and communications.

Stats: stretching over 8,000 km from east to west across 11 time zones, In 1891–92, a famine killed 400,000 people, partly due to crop failure from harsh climate conditions, In 1914, Russia had less than 60,000 km of railway, compared to Germany’s 100,000+ km, despite being much larger.

Government Tools of Pre-Revolutionary Russia##

The Okhrana was the Tsar's secret police, responsible for uncovering and suppressing political opposition, The Cossacks were loyal military units used by the Tsar to suppress unrest and enforce order, The Church was a key pillar of Tsarist ideology, promoting the divine right of the Tsar to rule, The nobles were the Tsar’s traditional supporters, owning land and dominating local government.

Social Democratic Labour Party (Bolsheviks/Mensheviks) ##

Aimed to overthrow the autocracy through a proletarian revolution and establish a socialist state. Tactics included urban strikes, mass agitation, and setting up Soviets (workers’ councils). Active primarily from 1898 and became more radical by 1905. Their efforts contributed to political instability in cities.

Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) ##

Wanted to redistribute land to peasants and destroy the feudal system. Used tactics like peasant agitation and political terrorism—including assassinations like Interior Minister Plehve (1904). Their influence was significant in the countryside and increased unrest before and during 1905.

Union of Liberation / Liberal Zemstvo groups ##

Aimed to introduce constitutional monarchy, civil rights, and legal reforms. Tactics included petitions and legal political pressure. Though less radical, they influenced the drafting of the October Manifesto.

Russo–Japanese War (1904–1905) ##

Conflict between Russia and Japan over territories in Manchuria and Korea. Russia suffered major defeats (Port Arthur, Mukden, Tsushima). The war revealed military incompetence and created national humiliation. This weakened the Tsar's authority and was a key cause of the 1905 Revolution.

Stat: Russia lost most of the Baltic Fleet at the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905.

Bloody Sunday (22 January 1905) ##

Peaceful march led by Father Gapon in St Petersburg, where unarmed protestors were fired upon by the Tsar’s guards outside the Winter Palace. Protestors demanded reforms and better working conditions. This massacre shattered the image of the "Little Father" and began the 1905 Revolution.

Stat: Around 150,000 people marched; up to 234 were killed.

General Strike (23 January 1905 onwards) ##

Workers across Russia began mass strikes following Bloody Sunday. The strike involved factory workers, students, railway staff, and peasants. It brought Russia’s economy and cities to a halt and forced the Tsar to consider reform.

Stat: 93% of Polish workers and over half of industrial workers in European Russia joined.

Battleship Potemkin Mutiny (June 1905) ##

The crew of the Russian battleship Potemkin mutinied in Odessa due to poor treatment and conditions. Symbolized military breakdown and revolutionary spirit spreading to armed forces. It scared the government and was widely publicized.

Stat: Only one major mutiny, but highly symbolic and inspired further unrest.

October General Strike & St. Petersburg Soviet (October 1905) ##

A nationwide strike escalated with railway, printing, and communication sectors shutting down. The St. Petersburg Soviet was formed to coordinate protests. These Soviets became de facto revolutionary bodies.

Stat: General strike began on 12 Oct; Soviet formed on 13 Oct.

October Manifesto (17 October 1905) ##

Nicholas II issued reforms granting civil liberties and promising to establish the State Duma to appease the protestors and end the unrest. Temporarily pacified moderate groups but didn’t satisfy radicals.

Stat: Announced after nearly a year of unrest; led to the formation of the Duma in 1906.

Moscow Uprising (7–18 December 1905) ##

Final major event of the 1905 Revolution where workers and revolutionaries barricaded parts of Moscow in armed rebellion. Brutally crushed by the army, showing the regime’s willingness to use force.

Stat: Around 1,059 rebels killed; 35 government soldiers died.

Aftermath of the 1905 Revolution ##

Although reforms like the Duma and civil liberties were introduced, Tsar Nicholas II retained autocratic power through the Fundamental Laws in 1906. Revolution exposed deep unrest but failed to topple the Tsar.

Stat: First Duma convened in April 1906, but it had limited power.

Stolypin’s Reforms (1906–1911) ## A set of agricultural and legal reforms under Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin aimed at strengthening tsarist control and modernising agriculture.

Why: To reduce rural discontent and strengthen the conservative peasantry.

Effect: Some peasants gained land, but unrest persisted. Stolypin used repression alongside reform.

Stat: Over 3,000 people were executed by his military tribunals—“Stolypin’s necktie”.

Dumas (1906–1917) ## Representative assemblies created after the October Manifesto. The Tsar dissolved or limited their power repeatedly.

Why: To give an appearance of reform without real change.

Effect: Frustration grew as democratic hopes were blocked.

Stat: The first Duma lasted only 73 days before being dissolved.

World War I Begins (1914) ## Russia entered WWI to support Serbia and maintain its status as a European power.

Why: Tsarist ambition and alliance obligations.

Effect: Military defeats, economic collapse, and food shortages triggered unrest.

Stat: By 1917, over 2 million Russian soldiers had died.

Nicholas II Becomes Commander-in-Chief (1915) ## The Tsar took direct control of the Russian army, leaving the government in the hands of the unpopular Tsarina and Rasputin.

Why: He wanted to boost army morale.

Effect: Further weakened the monarchy due to failures at the front and poor governance at home.

Stat: Between 1915–1916, desertions doubled, reaching hundreds of thousands.

February Revolution (1917) ## Mass protests and strikes in Petrograd in February 1917 led to the abdication of Nicholas II.

Why: Food shortages, war fatigue, economic collapse, and loss of trust in the monarchy.

Effect: Ended 300 years of Romanov rule; provisional government was formed.

Stat: Over 250,000 people protested in Petrograd by 25 February 1917.

Provisional Government Formed (March 1917) ## Temporary government led by liberals and moderate socialists after the Tsar’s abdication.

Why: To stabilise Russia and prepare for elections.

Effect: Failed to end the war or enact land reform; grew unpopular.

Stat: 8 months later, it was overthrown in the October Revolution.

Crises of the Provisional Government ## Series of failures, including not exiting WWI, delaying land reform, and not holding elections.

Why: Political indecisiveness and pressure from the Petrograd Soviet.

Effect: Lost popular support and legitimacy.

Stat: By October 1917, Bolsheviks had majority in Petrograd Soviet.

Lenin’s Leadership of the Bolsheviks ## Lenin returned from exile in April 1917 with the April Theses, calling for “Peace, Land, Bread”.

Why: To push for a socialist revolution and gain support of workers and soldiers.

Effect: Gained rapid popularity; party grew stronger.

Stat: Bolshevik membership rose from 24,000 in February to 340,000 by October 1917.

Trotsky and the Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC) ## Trotsky led the MRC to organise the armed forces of the Petrograd Soviet during October 1917.

Why: To prepare for and execute the Bolshevik seizure of power.

Effect: Enabled coordinated takeover of key buildings and infrastructure.

Stat: MRC had control of 15,000 armed Red Guards by October 1917.

October Revolution (1917) ## On 25 October (Julian calendar), the Bolsheviks seized control of Petrograd and overthrew the Provisional Government.

Why: Popular dissatisfaction and Bolshevik organisation.

Effect: Bolsheviks took power, establishing a socialist state.