IAS russian revolution

precipitant

Short Term factors: Russo-Japanese war,

Precondition

Long term factors, industrialisation of russia

1905 revolution

Created the October manifesto where liberties such as free speech, and the right to form political parties. The duma was also created but in later years Nicholas II limited its power turning it into rubber-stamp body.

Peter Stolypin

Former prime minister of Russia. Known as the great reformer in terms of the industry and implementing rural reforms increasing agricultural output like granting rights to peasants to own land. Disliked Rasputin and had investigations placed on him. He was assassinated as he was a monarchist and assassinated a lot of the tsars enemies which made hanging be called Stolypin’s necktie. Wanted to reduce radicalism.

Sergei Witte

Prime minister, neither liberal or conservative he wanted peace and attracted foreign capital. Wanted to provide political stability to the regime made the October Manifesto but was not happy with it. Known as one of the most enlightened ministers

Duma

Introduced after the 1905 revolution. Was just a rubber stamp and was frequently dissolved allowed some people to channel their voices but when Nicholas II didn’t like those voices he dissloved the duma

Rasputin

Influenced the royal family was an advisor and escape for the royal family called our friend by the royal family. He made the royal be hated as they viewed a peasant as influencing the most scared house making the family look incompetent. There were a lot of allegations placed at him and was ultimately assassinated.

Nicholas II

Was the last emperor of the Romanov family. Assassinated in a basement in 1918. Incompetent leader thought himself as bad but still wanted to keep autocracy. Married Alexandra a german princess.

Impacts of WW1 on Russia

A lot of Russia’s land was lost in ww2 including the Baltics, Finland, Poland and Bassarbia (Parts of Ukraine and Moldova currently)

Agricultural output significantly decreased as the war progressed. Industries were used to supply armies not the people. Men had to go to the frontlines so could not farm

Transport systems were heavily used putting strain on them. They were also poorly maintained leading to a deterioration of infrastructure.

Largest army in WW1 by population of soldiers. 76% of soldiers mobilized were casualties. Basically put in meat grinders

Cost of living increased by 300% and people where diying because of insufficient diets. Printing excess of money leading to 400% inflation

Nicholas took in charge of the army so associated personal setbacks of the war with himself. This led to Alexandra being in charge of government creating distrust as she was german born and appointed Rasputin to select ministers creating distrust in the public.

Causes of the 1917 Russian Revoltuion

• Rich were swimming in material wealth while the peasants and workers were suffering

• People were even more unsatisfied with the current form of government after the 1905 revolution as the Duma did not have any real power

• World War 1 people expected a quick victory but suffered many battles even though they were numerically superior. Furthermore led by Nicholas II which pinned the blame only on him.

• Empress Alexandra (german born) leading Russia with the influence of Rasputin creating distrust in the Romanov family

• International Women’s day protest started a sequence of protest the army was called but most did not fight against the protester but with them

• Conflict is starting between the more radical Petrograd soviet and the Provincial government set up from the Duma

• 500,000 casualties lost from a military offensive. A few weeks later soldiers and sailors mutinied and citizens protested in the July days. The provincial government tried to disperse by killing people.

• 25th of October huge Bolshevik offensive captured key points in the city and stormed the Winter palace the head of the provincial government

• Red vs White Russians revolution. Some of the whites wanted to put him back in power. So when the whites were close to Nicholas II house the reds who held him killed him and his family