(27) AS Tsarist Russia Revision Part 3 - 1894- 1917 Nicholas II

Nicholas II ascended the throne in September 1894 after the sudden death of his father, Alexander III.
At 26 years old, Nicholas lacked experience and admitted he wasn't prepared to rule, having received little guidance.
He felt a strong sense of duty to rule according to the traditions of previous Tsars.

The war marked a crucial turning point leading to the 1905 Revolution.
Started in January 1904 when Japan attacked Russia’s naval base at Port Arthur.
Internal Affairs Minister underestimated the conflict, predicting a swift victory to boost national pride and distract from domestic issues.
Major defeats for Russia included:
- Battle of Mukden: Heavy losses with nearly 1 million Russian casualties.
- Battle of Tsushima: Destruction of 24 out of 27 ships in Russia's fleet.
The Russian surrender at Port Arthur turned initial patriotism into widespread discontent against the Tsar's government.

Bloody Sunday (January 9, 1905):
- Peaceful march of 20,000 workers to the Winter Palace led by Father Gapon, demanding reforms.
- Troops fired on marchers, leading to over 100 deaths, fueling public outrage against the Tsar.
Formation of Labor Organizations (March 1905):
- Establishment of the All-Russian Union of Railway Workers.
- Emergence of Soviets (councils) of workers aimed at coordinating strikes, marking a united front against the Tsar.
Naval Mutiny on the Potemkin (June 1905):
- Sailors rebelled against poor conditions; authorities responded violently in Odessa, resulting in over 2,000 deaths.
October Manifesto (August 1905):
- Nicholas II promised a constitutional reform, granting civil liberties and creating a State Duma due to increasing pressure from advisors.
- Mixed reception: liberals accepted it but revolutionaries like the SRs and SDs rejected it, causing further disunity among opposition groups.

Continued peasant unrest over land reform as hopes arose for redistribution.
The Tsar’s government regained some control by suppressing protests and promising to end redemption payments to peasants.
Formation and legalization of political parties, although the Bolsheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries opted out, indicating continued radical opposition.

First Duma (May - June 1906):
- Short-lived due to its radical demands; it was dissolved after a month by the Tsar.
Second Duma (February - June 1907):
- Included more radical members due to greater participation from the Bolsheviks and SRs.
- Dissolved for opposing Tsarist policies including agrarian reform.
Third Duma (1907 - 1912):
- Engineered elections resulted in a more compliant body, yet still faced suspensions by the Tsar.
Fourth Duma (1912 - 1917):
- Five-year tenure marred by inability to resolve conflicts and ignored during wartime despite passing war credits in 1914.

Sergei Witte's Policies:
- Believed industrialization was crucial to mitigating revolutionary threats; managed a growth rate of 8% per annum from 1892 to 1914.
- Focused on heavy industry to prepare for imminent war.
- A new ruble backed by gold issued in 1897 improved business confidence and conversion rates for trade.
- Foreign investments were crucial for developing railways, electricity, and mining sectors, prioritizing heavy industry over lighter manufacturing.

Nicholas II’s reign was dominated by internal strife and ineffective governance, alongside significant economic changes and industrial growth that could not mitigate the revolution's impending impact.