History Tsardom

What was life like for the nobility in 1900?

The nobility was just 1 percent of the Russian population, but they owned one quarter of all the land in Russia. Often would have many homes in different major cities and would spend a good part of the year enjoying ballet, theatre and social events

What was life like for middle class in 1900?

Middle class was rapidly growing in 1900 due to knew job openings such as bankers and merchants. Their life was very good, with lavishly decorated houses, and could eat at Russian cocktails and bars. They could also spectate the ballet or theatre

What was life like for the poor in 1900?

Those who lived in villages had extremely poor quality housing, with one room consisting of storage, tables, beds and cooking appliances. Had to supply their own food from farming, but their simply was not enough land for all of them so many died due to famine and disease. SURFS, a type of peasants which loaned land from the government, but then had to pay it off with higher interest which they could not afford and therefore got into crushing debt

What was the consequence of industrialisation in Russia?

Workers who worked in city factories or factories away from the cities had terrible living conditions. 30 workers would be crammed into small dormitories, separated by flimsy sheets giving no privacy. Wage is so low that workers normally work overtime which is 15 hours a day.

What was the rein of Tsar Nicholas II like in 1900?

The Tsar believed he had a divine right to rule from God, so therefore he was an autocrat who had absolute power and authority. Council of ministers to help him rule. but there was no parliament to represent the people, and there was no way for the pubic to get their views across. The press was censored and everything had to be approved by government before publishing. Secret police were everywhere, killing or arresting anyone who criticised the government and the feared Cossacks would shut down protests with great brutality Wife greatly influenced him

Growth of revolutionary against the Tsar (Social Democrats)

One opposition of the Tsar was the Social Democrats. The social democrats was founded by Lenin and Plekhanov, who wanted to overthrow the Tsar and turn Russia into a socialist state. They aimed to support the workers and students. They were incredibly influenced by the teachings of Karl Marx, but this made the Social Democrats split into two. The Bolsheviks wanted to keep the party small and secret and actively cause a revolution by organising strikes and demonstrations in factories. The Mensheviks believed Marx, where a revolution in Russia was inevitable, and they would sit back and increase in size and power until this revolution happened, and then they would seize power

Growth of revolutionary against the Tsar (Social Revolutionaries)

The Social Revolutionaries wanted to get rid of the Tsar and give all the land o the peasants which would form thousands of small peasant communities. Tactics were to spread propaganda to encourage revolution, but also carry out violent attacks, such as Marie Spirodonova shooting the cruel governor of Tambov. Responsible for many deaths of several important government officials

Events leading up to the 1905 revolution

On January 22nd, 1905, Bloody Sunday took place where thousands of peasants marched to the winter palace peacefully. This was infered by them shouting numerous times that they come in peace, and they also placed children at the front of the protest. The protesters asked for help from the Tsar, by giving them rights and to be lifted by the abyss of poverty. However, the Cossack Calvary opened fire on the protesters, killing over 200 people. News spread rapidly across Russia, and people were so outraged with the Tsar, due to the peasants realising the Tsar had no affection for the Russian people, that they revolted.

Events leading up to the 1905 revolution

The Tsar declared war on the Japanese in 1904, as he believed a short victory would make people stop criticising his leadership. However, this backfired completely, as due to the war food and supplies were sent to the war front, leaving the Russian people hungry, and due to the lack of industrial materials, factories closed down leaving the Russian people also unemployed. Moreover, the Russian army experienced defeat after defeat, like Port Arthur falling to the Japanese, which led the people of Russia protested about the incompetence of the Tsar and his government

Events that happened in 1905 revolution

In June of 1905, the sailors of the battleship Potemkin mutinied due to the countless loses the Russian army experienced. This was very worrying for the Tsar, as other sections of the army could also mutiny, decreasing the Tsar’s power. There was also a divide in class which meant their was minimal cooperation between groups. For example, hundreds of thousands of workers went on strike, demanding better pay and living conditions, and also a shorter work day. However, the peasants in the country side were looting and burning property of their land owners and class liberals demanded a creation of a popular representative. Therefore, the groups had a lack of unity, not all fighting and protesting for the same goal. The inability to coordinate their actions, physical or political, meant the groups did not make any significant change to the movement

What was the effect of the October Manifesto and the creation of the Dumas?

The October manifesto make the revolution come to a stand still, as the Tsar strategically gave in to protester’s demands. This is where the Tsar promised assembly and association through the Dumas, and also allowed freedom of speech and an elective legislative body. This completely settled the needs of mainly of the middle class Russians. Moreover, the October Manifesto further split the Tsar’s opposition due to the liberals and socials separate views on the matter. The Tsar successfully extinguished any radical elements of the revolution, and by doing this maintained his autocracy as the Duma really had little to no power at all

What effect did Stolypin’s reform have on agriculture?

Stolypin’s policies were able to change agriculture by setting up peasant land banks. Peasants were allowed to take large sums of money in order to buy land where they would farm on. Able to pay off loan through growing and selling the crop they grew on the land.Record harvest. Sell the food into the city which would further reduce food shortages. Trans Siberian Railways allowed peasants to ship their food around the country. His policies also denied Mirs the right to stop individuals from buying property and gave money to peasants to explore and open up Siberia. Created a group of peasants called “The Kulaks”, extremely loyal workers devoted to the Tsar

What effect did Stolypin’s reform have on industry?

Poorer peasants forced to sell land, move to work in factories. Between 1905-14, industry increased by 100 percent. In 1914, 2/5 factory workers were in a factory with 1000 others. However, still bad pay and conditions

How did WW1 decrease the popularity of the Tsar

Before WW1, Russia’s morale was boosted and support for the Tsar had increased. Declared War on Germany, and suffered immediate defeats at Tannenburg and the Masurian Lakes, loosing hundreds of thousands of troops. Crushed morale of the Russians, and troops started turning against the Tsar and deserting the front line. As a consequence, Tsar made himself supreme commander of the Russian army. Meant for any military defeats he was too blame. Food went to front line leaving civilians in cities very hungry, protests began

How did Rasputin decrease popularity of the Tsar?

While the Tsar was controlling army, Russia was left with the German Tsarina to rule. Popularity was already very low, make matters worse she had a very strong relationship with the “sex maniac” Rasputin. Rasputin role was to look after the Tsarina’s son, but rumour was it that they were having an affair, and believed Rasputin was the one who was really running Russia. People despised Rasputin and believed he was the plague of Russia. Rasputin being involved with royal family decreased popularity of the Tsar. Rasputin supposedly had affairs with high powered peoples’ wives, so noble people of Russia also despised Rasputin and the Royalty