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overall argument
Nicholas maintained autocracy through repression and limited reforms. The use of policing and repressive measures towards opposition allowed him to suppress dissent whilst retaining control. However, social and political tensions weakened his grip on power and exposed the fragility of the autocratic system which ultimately created long-term weaknesses and undermined the autocratic system
How did his use of violent methods allow Nicholas to uphold autocracy
They allowed him to suppress opposition and deter revolutionary activity
When was Bloody Sunday (Violent methods)
9th January, 1905
Who led the march to Winter Palace on Bloody Sunday (violent methods)
Father Gapon
Events on Bloody Sunday (violent methods)
In St Petersburg, Russian demonstrators were fired upon as they marched towards Winter Palace to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas. More than 100 marchers were killed and several hundred were wounded
What events were the catalysts for the 1905 revolution
Bloody Sunday and the Russo-Japanese War
How did the use of Nicholas’ violent methods help uphold autocracy during the 1905 revolution
During the revolution the government used brutal, repressive measures to bring the populace into line and beat them into submission. These methods were effective in re-establishing government control across the empire
The violence and criminality evident throughout 1905 had evoked fear in the middle classes: houses were burgled, their children were assaulted. They wanted it to stop and a return to authority and control.
How did the fear of the middle classes during 1905 show that Nicholas was upholding autocracy
Shows that Nicholas’ use of violent repression effectively upheld autocracy by instilling fear and pushing the middle classes to seek stability under his authority
Stolypin’s violent methods
His approach combined political repression with limited reforms to stabilize the regime and reinforce the authority of the tsar. 1000s of political opponents were tried and executed often by hanging (Stolypin’s necktie)
Effect of Stolypin’s methods by 1914
By 1914, Stolypin’s repression and the use of the okrahna had decimated the revolutionary parties and their influence over the masses. They were not fit to challenge the authority of the tsar and his government.
Dealing with oppression: example of revolutionaries and terrorists being prosecuted in court and executed/killed
1897, Lenin was exiled to Siberia for his involvement in Marxist revolutionary activities
Dealing with oppression: example of how Nicholas used the army to crush protests and uprisings
1905- the army was used to suppress the revolution especially after the December manifesto addressed workers about pay and conditions
Dealing with opposition: example of how Nicholas brought in some reforms to make concessions to discontented groups
1897- the working day was reduced in response to strikes
How did Stolypin deal with opposition
He used military force to crush peasant uprisings and worker strikes, particularly following the unrest of the 1905 revolution
Overall, how did political and social tensions weaken autocracy?
Weakened autocracy by increasing opposition to the tsarist rule which undermined the legitimacy of the regime- tensions grew from social inequalities and political dissatisfaction
Social tensions: Peasant unrest
Despite Stolypin’s land reforms, most peasants remained impoverished and landless. The use of force to suppress peasant protests deepened hostility towards the regime
Political tensions: failure of Duma
The duma was introduced after the 1905 revolution and was intended to offer political representation but was heavily restricted by Nicholas.
He dissolved the first 2 dumas when they pushed for reforms beyond his control which highlighted his unwillingness to share power
The limited power of the Duma was frustrating for liberals and reformists. This weakened Nicholas’ autocratic rule because it increased support for more radical change
Political tensions: strike statistic
Strikes regarded as political in nature increased from 24 in 1911 to 2401 by 1914
Conclusion: How were Nicholas’ repressive measures damaging to autocracy in the long term?
They deepened resentment and alienated certain social groups which undermined the stability of the regime
Whilst repression initially preserved the tsar’s authority, it created long-term weaknesses that made autocracy vulnerable to collapse
