Opposition to the tsardom

Revolutionary parties

Populists

Social Democrats

Social Revolutionaries

Populist ideology

Future of Russia in hands of the peasantry, must take the lead in transforming Russia, starting with the overthrow of tsarism

When did Populism start?

1870s

Class of Populist leaders

Middle and upper classes

Role of the Populist leaders

To educate the uniformed peasantry, “going to the people” to turn them into revolutionaries

How did the peasantry view Populist leaders?

As airy-fairy thinkers with no knowledge of real life

What was The People’s Will?

Populist terrorist group formed in 1879. No more than 400 members

What did The People’s Will do?

Bombed Alexander III in 1881

Populist legacy

Established a violent anti-tsarist tradition. Peasantry approach unrealistic. Influenced all revolutionaries from 1870

Where did the SRs come from?

Grew out of Populism, with the Great Spurt people became more interested in political and social issues, the Populists beginning to agitate amongst the workers

What was the SR definition of "the ‘people’?

Not just the peasants, but all in society with reasons to wish for the end of tsardom

Who reshaped Populist strategy?

Victor Chernov, formed and lead the SRs

When were the SRs formed?

1901

What did Trotsky say about the SRs?

They were made of “Left Social Revolutionaries” and “Right Social Revolutionaries”

What were the Left SRs?

Those who wanted to continue the policy of The People’s Will

What were the Right SRs?

The more moderate element, prepared to co-operate with other parties

Which faction dominated the SRs 1901-1905?

Left SRs

What did the SRs do 1901-05?

Over 2000 political assassinations, including Plehve, the interior minster, and Grand Duke Sergei, the tsar’s uncle

How did the 1905 Revolution impact the SRs?

Gave power to the moderate Right SRs

Were the SRs popular following the rise of the moderate faction?

From 1906 they gained support from professional classes, trade unions, and All-Russian Union of Peasants

What did the SRs say at its first Congress in 1906?

Committed to “revolutionary socialism”, it would end “private ownership by returning the land to those who worked it”

How popular were the SRs with the peasantry?

The most popular because of their land policy

When were the SDs formed?

1898

Who was the first Russian Marxist revolutionary?

George Plekhanov

How did Plekhanov bring Marxism to Russia?

Formed SDs, translated Marx’s writings and promoted the idea of proletarian revolution

Were the SDs pleased with Plekhanov’s leadership?

People grew impatient with his highly theoretical approach, wanted an active revolutionary programme

Who led opposition to Plekhanov?

Vladimir Ulyanov - Lenin

When did Lenin return from exile?

1900

Who founded Iskra?

Lenin and Julius Martov

What did Lenin criticise Plekhanov for?

Interest in reform over revolution, following a policy of “economism” (putting working conditions before revolution)

How did Lenin want to revolutionise the proletariat?

By letting living and working conditions get worse

What did Lenin publish against Plekhanov?

“What is to be done?” in 1902, berating him for cooperation with other parties, revolution required professional dedication of revolutionaries

What did Lenin think the duty of the SDs was?

To guide the proletariat towards socialism

When did the Lenin-Plekhanov dispute come to ahead?

At the second party congress in 1903

What did Lenin say at the 1903 Congress?

Made an issue over party membership, forcing people to decide between Plekhanov’s idea of a broad party and Lenin’s idea of exclusivity

Who was Martov allied with?

Plekhanov - believing Lenin’s wanted to become a dictator

Who was Potresov allied with?

Martov and Plekhanov

How was the party split between Lenin and Martov?

Evenly, though in one particular set Lenin was slightly more popular so they became the Bolsheviks and Martov’s supporters became the Mensheviks

When were the SDs split?

Split in 1903. Completely distinct by 1912 - Lenin resigned from Iskra and made Vyperod (Forward)

When was Pravda first published?

1912

How did Bolsheviks revolutionise the proletariat?

Set up training schools for revolutionaries and then smuggled them into worker organisations

What did the Bolsheviks do in Tiflis, Georgia?

A gang blasted their way into a post-office, killed 20 people, and stole a quarter of a million roubles

What did Bolsheviks use their money for?

Printing handbills, leaflets and newspapers attacking the tsardom

How many Bolsheviks before 1914?

5000 - 10,000

How many Bolsheviks in 1917?

25,000

What were the principal liberal parties?

The Union of Liberation

The Octobrists

The Constitutional Democrats (Kadets)

How was the Union of Liberation formed?

Paul Milyukov and Peter Struve formed it in 1904

Aims of the Union of Liberation

Liberation of Russia, abolition of autocracy, constitutional regime, democracy through equal, secret and direct elections

How were the Octobrists formed?

From the issuing of the October Manifesto, lead by Guchkov and Rodzianko

How did the Octobrists view the tsardom?

Basically loyal, believing in the maintenance of the Russian Empire, viewing the manifesto as a major constitutional advancement

What did the Octobrists want?

The continuation of a “strong and authoritative regime” which worked with “the representatives of the people”

How did revolutionaries view the Octobrists?

As bourgeois reactionaries

How were the Kadets formed?

Formed around the time of the 1905 Revolution

What did the Kadets want?

A constitutional monarchy where the tsar would be limited by a democratically elected constituent assembly

Who was in the Kadets?

Progressive landlords, smaller industrial entrepreneurs, and professionals. Academics prominent - lead by Paul Milyukov, a history professor

How outspoken were the Kadets in the duma?

The most critical of the tsarist system

What was the Kadet programme?

All-Russian Constituent Assembly

Equality and civil rights for all citizens

End of censorship

No mortgage repayments

Acknowledge trade unions and right to strike

Universal, free education