HISTORY: Russian Revolution

What did the system of autocracy mean for Russia?

1. The Tsar held absolute power and believed it was given to him by God.

2. In the late 19th cent Russia was most autocratic in Europe

3. There was no constitution or parliament

4. He was a naive and ineffective leader

MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE OF TSARISM

What was Nationalism and why was it an issue?

1. Tsarism not popular in the countryside

2. As it was a large country there were many nationalities.

3. They forced Russian to be taught in schools and only Russians were allowed in positions of power

4. Many foreigners wanted independence from being called Russian

What was Orthodoxy?

1. Was the religion of the tsars run by the state

2. They preached about obedience to Tsarism

3. End of 19th cent, church losing respect due to poor reputation of the priests

What was the hierarchy under Tsarism?

Tsar

Church

Nobility

Soldiers/ army generals

Business men/ capitalists

Peasants

Who were the Social Democrats?

1. Founded in 1898

2. Programme was based upon the theories of Karl Marx

3. Led by Lenin and Martov

When did the SDs split?

In 1903, the party split in 2: the Mensheviks (the minority) led by Martov had moderate views, and the Bolsheviks (the majority), led by Lenin had extremist views

What did the Bolsheviks believe?

1. Only committed Marxists could join

2. Russia was ready for the Proletariat revolution where the working class would attempt to overthrow the bourgeoisie

3. Russia required centralised leadership

What did the Mensheviks believe?

1. Co-operation with non-marxists

2. Focus on developing trade unions

3. DID NOT think Russia was ready for a revolution

What threat did the SDs pose?

1. Both wanted Tsarism to END

2. Bolsheviks particularly threatening due to revolutionary ideas

8/10

What were the reforms of Tsar Alexander II?

1. The serfs were freed from their Lord and land (emancipation of serfdom) 1861

2. They had no money to buy food, nowhere to live and this made them angry!

3. Their options were either homelessness of borrowing money which left them in debt

What was industrialisation like in Russia?

1. Alexander II got assassinated, replaced by Alexander III

2. He initiated industrialism, meaning long working hours and poor conditions, injury, low pay etc

3. Due to Russia being behind rivals eg: UK, France so HAD to modernise to keep up.

How did Russia manage different nationalities?

1. A doctrine stated that Russians dominated Russia as they built it.

2. Russification policy introduced by Alexander III

3. Imposed Russian language, culture and religion minorities

4. Orthodox church was given lots of money to convert people

5. Anti-semitism, 5 mil Jews had to live in the "pale of settlement", pogroms.

What was the Pale of Settlement?

An area of occupied Poland, controlled by Russia, where most Jews in the Russian Empire were required to live.

Which nationalities were considered outcasts?

Poland, Finland, Latvia etc

Who were the zemstva?

Local councils in the countryside who helped control Russia, but were controlled by provincial governors

Who were the Okhrana and what did they do?

• Tsarism's political police force

- Infiltrated opposition groups and destroyed terrorism

4. They used informants and induced fear in people

5. Weren't as torturous as the Gestapo

How many Okrahna were there

1/3 of them were in St Petersburg and only 2000 of them in 1900

How were the peasantry a threat to the Tsar?

1. They were angry because of poverty and hunger - LOW CROP YIELD

2. Were still paying redemption after emancipation of serfdom 1861

3. Strip farming wasted their time and energy, resulted in poor soil = famine

4. BUT they weren't anti-government, they blamed their landowners

LOW THREAT LEVEL - 3/10

What percentage of the population was the peasantry?

80%

How were the working class a threat to the Tsar?

1. They were urban workers, only 2% of pop.

2. Anger due to poor living/ working conditions, frequent injuries, long hours, low pay etc

3. Led to brutal strikes

4. Army had to stop them 300 times 1901, 500 times 1902

BIG THREAT DESPITE NUMBER - 6/10

How were the middle class a threat to the Tsar?

1. They were business men, educated porfessionals

2. v small in number

3. Wanted a republic, had liberal ideas

4. Held strong presence in zemstva, wanted private enterprise

5. Mostly non-violent but hostile to Tsarism, radicals wanted to remove the tsar.

HIGH THREAT - 7/10

When was the League of Liberation formed and who led it?

1904 by Paul Milyukov

Who were the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs)?

1. Led by Chernov & Gots, all middle/upper class

2. Formed in 1902 but came out of the populist movement from 1860-70s

What did SRs want?

1. Wanted more rights for peasants due to their large population which required a DIF. TYPE OF SOCIALISM

2. Didn't want a central govt.

What threat did the SRs pose?

1. Were violent - SR combat organisation was formed by extremists 1902

2. Many govt. ministers were assassinated

3. BUT the party split into 2 - the Popular Socialist Party and the SR Maximalists (they wanted more violence)

7/10

What were the social factors limiting the impact of opposition groups?

1. The peasants lived all over the place making organisation hard

2. Leaders were middle/upper class so hard to connect with the lower classes

3. 1897 only 21% of population could read so newspapers/leaflets weren't effective

4. V small parties due to small % of working class people

Why was repression limiting the impact of opposition groups?

1. Before 1905, opposition groups were illegal so hard to work secretly and gain support

2. Army called to stop over 800 strikes 1901-1902 - 13 student protesters killed!

3. Okhrana good at infiltrating opposition

4. Many leaders sent into exile = hard to manage events in Russia eg: Lenin and Martov sent to Europe

Why was division amongst the opposition limiting their impact?

1. Liberals more moderate - wanted to overthrow Tsarism without violence but Socialists wanted capitalism gone and condoned violence

2. RSDLP split after 2 years, Lenin attacked them verbally

3. Socialism meant different things to SRs and Marxists = ptoor cooperation

Summarise the events of Bloody Sunday briefly.

- Began with peaceful protesters that got shot; this instilled anger rather than fear leading to STRIKES and PEASANT UNREST

- They had v poor work conditions eg: 10-15 hr days, lowest pay in Europe, frequent accidents and no sick leave

- As they were so closely packed in the cities and the economy was failing, workers were exposed to Marxist ideas

- Georgy Gapon led many "workers sections" which were militant discussion groups

- Begin. of 1905 Gapon drafted a petition to the tsar, over 150000 people signed it

- Jan 9th 1905 they marched to winter palace but Tsar not there

- Officers opened fire on the crowd, 200 killed

Why did Russia go to war with Japan in 1904-05?

1. Russia wanted more influence and noticed Manchuria(a Chinese province) had much mineral wealth that they didn't have

2. Japan also wanted Manchuria but Russia got hold of it by force

3. They attempted negotiating but didn't work so 1904 Japan attacked

4. For Russia, going to war also deflected attention from their internal problems

What happened during the Russo-Japanese war?

Japan defeats Russia in Manchuria and its navy beats most of the Russian fleet.

Why was the war significant?

1. First time Eastern country beats the west

2. Shows the inefficiency and weakness of Tsarist state

3. Causes Russian economic state to worsen further

4. Workers striked

What did the August Manifesto outline?

• 1905

• There would be a new ELECTED assembly called a "Duma"

- Duma only advisory; they were given the opportunity to discuss proposed laws but NO POWER to enforce it

- The electoral system was complex as it favoured peasants and landowners due to their loyalty to Tsarism in the past.

- Urban workers, Jews and minorities were left without a vote

What were people's opinions on the August Manifesto?

- It was seen as totally INADEQUATE by the majority of the opposition and was rejected.

- There was the first general strike in October 1905 which posed a huge threat, causing Nicholas to act by advice of Witte.

Who was Witte and what did he do?

He was sort of like Russia's prime minister, he advised Nicholas on his decision regarding the new manifesto.

What did the October Manifesto outline?

- Guaranteed basic freedoms for all eg: free speech, assembly, association etc. This meant trade unions and other political parties were LEGALISED

- The Duma had real power, new laws could only be passed if the duma agreed

- All people got the vote!!

How did the moderate liberals (octoberists) react to the new manifesto?

- Accepted it

- Liked the balance between autocracy and democracy

How did the radical liberals (kadets) react to the new manifesto?

- Lead by Paul Milyukov

- Rejected it

- Didn't trust the govt and thought the promises weren't real

- Wanted a council

How did the Socialists react to the new manifesto?

- Denounced it strongly

- Trotsky was leader

- Wanted a SOCIALIST REVOLUTION

What is a soviet?

- local councils elected by workers/peasants

- 1st one formed in St Petersburg by Trostsky

How did the October Manifesto remove opposition?

- Split the middle-class and liberals

- Blunted opposition

- Caused tension between the liberals and socialsts

How did the Moscow Uprising incident remove opposition?

- dec 1905

St Petersburg soviet defeated by govt w/out a fight

- Moscow soviet called a general strike to overthrow Tsarism

- They distributed weapons to workers

- Govt army defeated them, used artillery fire and masses were arrested

- 1000 killed in the uprising

How did the rise of aggressive right-wing groups remove opposition?

- They were keen to take on radicals and socialists

- Union of Russian People founded in 1905

- They aimed to defend autocracy nationality and orthodoxy

- Linked with paramilitary group the Black Hundreds

- They targeted Jews, organised pogroms in 1905-1906

- Worst was in 1905 in Odessa where 800 Jews were killed

- THE TSAR SUPPORTED THIS

Why were the Fundamental Laws put in place and when?

• Put in place in April 1906

• The Tsar and govt felt much more secure due to the Oct. manifesto

• These laws ensured the Tsar still had autocratic rule over Russia

• Meant he could dissolve the Duma at any time

Outline briefly Article 4 of the Fundamental Laws

• Said that Emperor still had supreme autocratic power

• Even God commanded his authority

Outline briefly Article 87 of the Fundamental Laws

• Allowed the Tsar to proclaim new laws without Duma approval

• He could essentially bypass the Duma

• The Duma had to agree to it but not for many months/years.

What did the Fundamental Laws say about freedom of association?

• Although people were entitled to free speech/assembly etc this didn’t mean much

• Laws could be put in place to restrict these

• In emergencies all rights could be suspended

Outline briefly the Imperial State Council within the Fundamental Laws

• A solidly conservative body similar to the old council of state who gave advice to the Tsar

• Half nominated by the Tsar, other half nominated by the nobility, the church and the zemstva.

• Had some power in the Duma

What happened to govt ministers under the Fundamental Laws?

The Tsar could appoint/dismiss ministers and this decision didn’t need to involve the Duma’s approval.

Outline the events of the first Duma 1906

• First met in 1906 in Tsar’s palace

• Call for huge reforms: democracy, land given from nobility to peasants and political prisoners freed

• These are rejected by the govt and duma continues to demand land reforms

• tsar dissolves Duma

• July 1906 - 200 Duma members led by kadets go to Finland for safety

• Rebel Duma produces Vyborg Manifesto: refused to pay tax until Duma restored

• BUT public largerly ignore this protest, tired of strikes etc

• Rebel leaders arrested

Outline the events of the second Duma 1906-07

• 1906 election: Socialist parties like SR’s, Mensheviks, Bolsheviks partake

• Govt. try to influence elections more to favour right wing

• Is more mixed than 1st Duma: have left wing socialists, rebel liberals (Kadets), moderate liberals (Octoberists) and right wing groups (who support Tsar)

• Mid 1907 - Stolypin attempts land reform but rejected by Socialists

• Duma dissolved and Stolypin changes election laws so peasants/workers can’t get seats as easy

• 1% of pop (Nobles) elect over 50% of seats

• 80% of pop (peasants) elect 20% of seats

How did Nicholas view the Duma?

• Never spoke to members

• Saw it as a duty to maintain autocracy & the Duma challenged this

• openly welcomed the dissolution of the Duma’s

Which party dominated the 3rd Duma and when was it?

The Octoberists with 154 seats in 1907

When was the 4th Duma and who dominated it?

1912 and the right-wing rep. was stronger than in the 3rd Duma

Who was the Octoberist leader?

Guchkov

How did Guchkov insult Nicholas?

• In 1907 he said that post 1905 Russia was NOT an autocracy

• Accused Nicholas of nepotism in 1908

• Attacked Rasputin in 1912 which outraged Nicholas and his wife as she believed Rasputin was able to control her son’s haemophilia

What are the arguments for Russia being an autocracy by 1914?

• Fundamental Laws restricted nearly all Duma’s power e.g: they had no say over foreign affairs and the military

• Duma got dissolved in 1906 + 07, making laws under Article 87 which they didn’t have to agree with till later

• Rule of law wasn’t in use in Russia as the Govt. was above the law!

What are the arguments against Russia being an autocracy by 1914?

• By 1914 the Duma was an elected national legislative body which didn’t exist before then

• In 1914 people were free to critique the regime

• Tsar was inaccessible to his ministers most of the time

• He failed to give his ministers proper direction and instruction but blamed them if things went poorly

Why was there disorder in the countryside 1906-1907?

• Land hunger caused rent strikes, land seizures and attacks on manor houses

• Lots of physical violence e.g: over 1000 government officials died in terrorist attacks

How were army units used to repress the peasantry under Durnovo?

• The army was sent to the most violent areas and killed 150,000 people

• wounded 20,000

• 45,000 people exiled to Siberia

• restored order in the Baltic regions but not elsewhere

When was Stolypin made PM?

1906

How were redemption payments used in Stolypin’s policy of repression?

• In late 1905 the redemption payments were cut by ½ in 1906 and removed in 1907

• Not effective as they were due to end in 1910 anyway

How were 1906 State of Emergency used in Stolypin’s policy of repression?

• Gave governors power to imprison without trial for up to 6 months

• could exile troublemakers

• Insufficient

How were the field-courts martial used in Stolypin’s policy of repression?

• Cases were heard within 24hrs of the offence

• Trials were secret and lasted up to 2 days

• Sentences were carried out 2 hours after decision was made and appeals weren’t allowed

• Over 1000 people were sentenced to death

• Thousands exiled to Siberia

• The hangman’s noose was known as “Stolypin’s necktie”

How were the arrests/exile of revolutionary leaders used in Stolypin’s policy of repression?

• Trotsky and others were sentenced to lifetime exile in 1906

• Trotsky escaped, Lenin was chased and most others followed events in Russia from outside Russia

• Effective in keeping them out but they could still watch/organise

How were the arrests of Duma members used in Stolypin’s policy of repression?

• Dissolution of 2nd Duma led to the arrest of Bolshevik members along with SR's & Mensheviks

• 2000 arrested in the Black Earth province

• The parties were left disorganised, weakened and demoralised

• However this didn’t stop criticism in the Duma towards the Tsar

When was the Lena Goldfields Massacre?

1912

Why did industrial dispute break out in 1912?

• Canteen served rancid horsemeat

• Poor working conditions and pay

How did the workers respond to the poor conditions in 1912?

• Began protesting which led to a month-long strike

• They demanded a 30% wage increase, 8 hour days and improved medical care

How did the government respond to the strikes in 1912?

• The Goldfields were at a standstill so troops were sent to arrest strike leaders

• Some miners marched for their release

• April 1912 90 soldiers shot at 3000 unarmed marches in Nadezhdinsk

How many were killed/wounded in the Lena Goldfields Massacre?

160 killed and approx. 200 wounded

How did the Lena Goldfields Massacre change lives for workers?

• Little changed

• Late 1912 workers + families left

• Their roles were replaced by Korean and Chinese workers

How is the Lena Goldfields Massacre significant?

It brought a period of labour calm to an end

What did the Lena Goldfields Massacre show about the strength of Tsarist rule?

Showed that they had regained strength and power, suggesting Russia was still an autocracy

What was the situation for peasants post-emancipation and when was it?

• Emancipated 1861

• Serfs had access to less land = no home

• Land owned by Mir when it was previously owned by the Lord

• Their situation did not improve after being emancipated, had to borrow lots of money for food and lost stability

What was a Mir?

An elected peasant council

Who introduced the land reforms to assist the Tsar’s survival?

• Stolypin, who proposed to rid open-strip farming and let peasants own their own farms = better economy + political state

• He was appointed Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) in 1906

Why were the land reforms introduced?

• Had been huge lack of agricultural success following the emancipation

• Also many uprisings and unrest

What were the political benefits of the land reforms?

1. Owning separate farms would resist socialist calls for communal ownership of land

2. Peasants who would benefit from it would be inclined to support Tsar

What were the economic benefits of the land reforms?

1. Those who owned farms would have to invest + develop them = more profitable than strip-farming

2. If peasantry more motivated = more productive

3. More agricultural activity = more food for growing pop. = less unrest due to lack of food and high food prices

When were the land reforms issued?

1906, the Duma confirmed it in 1910 and laws were set to expand it in 1911

Give 5 key features of Stolypin’s land reforms

1. Govt. set up Land Organisation Commissions to settle disputes over land reforms

2. If strip-farming had continued post 1861, village had to vote if they wanted separate farms

3. Rules around Peasant’s Land Bank relaxed allowing money borrowing to acquire more land

4. Where strip-farming didn’t continue, peasant could ask for separate farm - if not granted, would be paid compensation

5. Every peasant could demand his share of communal land to be own private property

What were the successes of Stolypin’s land reforms?

• Sharp increase in agriculture production

• Siberia was mineral-rich and land was very cultivatable

• 3.5 million Russians moved there

• Initially people loved the idea

What were the alleged failures of Stolypin’s land reforms?

• After the initial excitement people lost interest, didn’t want to change tradition

• By 1914 only 20% peasants were legal owners of land and 10% were owners of separate farms (however this was more than before)

• 80% remained village commune members

What interrupted the progress of the land reforms?

The war, so we cannot know if it was really a success or a failure

What was the Russian Army like in 1914?

• Largest army in Europe

• Soldiers in poor health

• Not all soldiers were loyal to Russia - dif nationalities

• Lots of nepotism - Generals appt. by birth not merit

• Lacking equipment/weapons due to poor economy

When and what was The Great Retreat?

• 1915

• Russia is pushed back and loses land from Poland etc

• 1 mil are killed/ wounded

When and what was the Brusilov Offensive?

• 1916

• Russia counter-attacks Austria but fails to break through

Why did Russia lack munitions in 1915?

• They didn’t expect long wars so didn’t bother stocking up on weaponry

• Needed British + American help to manufacture more

• They both failed to meet deadlines

What was the consequence of lacking weaponry?

• Govt. set up the Special Committee for State Defence to build new factories

• In 1916, supply improved

• There was political damage as the Tsar was blamed

Why did Russia struggle with food shortages during the war?

• War imposed strain on transport system

• Military had priority so regular supply disrupted

• Trans-Siberian railway blocked due to arms being shipped to Vladivstock and had to travel cross-country

What were the consequences of the food shortage?

• Trains carrying food were delayed

• Food rotted before reaching destination = starvation

• Food in short supply + food prices went up

• Caused resentment towards leaders

Why was inflation becoming an increasing problem for Russia during the war?

• Food prices rising due to shortages

• Grain production was down as Germans were in growing areas

• Peasants kept onto their produce

What were the consequences of inflation?

• Urban working class was hit worst

• Wages went up but prices rose faster - worker wages doubled but prices increased x5

What did Nicholas do that was controversial during the war?

• He left his wife to rule with Rasputin

• Went against advice of ministers and took command at battlefront after Great Retreat 1915

• However this was largely symbolic, the Generals still made the decisions

Why was Tsarina Alexandra disliked?

• She shunned St Petersburg society, believed it to be decadent

• Was arrogant and had German origins

• She was unstable

• Very conservative and advised Tsar against being lenient with liberals

Who was Rasputin and why was he controversial?

• Was a Siberian peasant

• Known as “holy man” or “healer” - Tsarina idolised him for controlling her son’s haemophilia

• Had links with shady financers

• People disliked Royal Fam for associating w him

• Rumours that he and Tsarina were plotting German victory and having an affair

• Was murdered 1916 by members of Royal Family

What did the Zemstva form in 1914 in regards to the war?

• Formed Zemstva Union (Zemgor) for war relief i.e: medical care, field canteens, helping refugees escape battle zones and dig war graves

• Contributed little to wartime production - 5%

Who was the leader of the Zemstva Union?

• Prince Lvov

• Showed better leadership than Tsar’s ministers = ashamed Tsar

What did the municipal corporations form that was similar to the Zemstva Union?

• Union of Towns

• Alongside similar work, also did war uniforms, boots, pharmaceuticals and munitions