as history- russia
TRANSCRIPT
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AS History: TsaristRussia
1855 - 1917
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Why was Russia Backwards?
PoliticalAutocracy
No opposition/ other
political parties
Nobles in control
Secret policeConscripted Army
EconomicHarsh winter
affected farming
Backwards farming
methods
Bankingundeveloped
No consumer
demand for products
Poor
communications
Social50 million serfs
82% of the population
800,000 industrial
workers
No demand todevelop
Social hierarchy
Mostly of Russian
Orthodox religion
3500 people in 6universities
Other FactorsClimate frozen lakes, hard to import and trade on
Size of Russia Extremely hard due to the poor communications
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Alexander II 1855-1881
OVERVIEW
o Tsar liberator
o Failed to provide long term solutions
o Emancipation of the serfs 1861 - peasants were allowed to but land from
redemption payments to the state for 49yearso Established the zemstva; elected council, 40% voted by peasants
o Extended primary and secondary education
o Universities became autonomous and reduced class bias
o Increased criticism of Tsarism - peasants became indebted and led to rise
of populist revolutionary movements such as the People's Will
o Zemztva led to a desire for democracy
o Increased number of educated people
o Provided the potential for an organised party - not established till 20th
century
o Assassinated 1881 by People's Will
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Alexander II 1855-1881KEY DATES
1855 - Alexander II becomes Tsar
1861 Emancipation of serfs
1863 What is to be done? Published
1870-3 Railway Mania years
1877Political trials of the populists who had gone to the people
March 1881 Alexander II assassinated
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Why did Alex Emancipate the Serfs?
Moral + IntellectualNihilists- ?
Intelligentsia- wanted change
Reform amongst intellectuals
began 1?55 which divided
opinion on Russia becoming
more western
They all suggested differentmethods
Crimean WarAgainst Turkey suffering a
humiliating defeat.
Russia realised they had to
develop and modernise
Had to get rid of conscriptionand serfdom
374,600 deaths in total
PoliticalSocial structure did nothing
for the nobility
Nobles income fell and were
still dependent on serfs
EconomicNobles forced to take out
mortgages on previously
owned estates
Population doubled in thefirst half of the century
Russia needed to catch up
and reassert its power
Would lead to more
productive peasantsPlans to build a great rail.
Alex's own
viewsWould bring
a more
dynamic
economy
Serfdom
morally wrong western
view
In order for
modernisation
to happen
serfs had tobe
emancipated
3rd March
1861
emancipation
signed andpublished
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RUSSIA NEEDED TO MODERNISE TO REMAIN A GREAT POWER ANDBECOME MORE WESTERNISED THIS COULD ONLY HAPPEN THROUGH
EMANCIPATION
SERFDOM HAD LEAD TO-
o Prevention of labour market
o No need to modernise methods
o Crimean war exposing Russia's backwardness
o Peasant revolts (there had been 1467 before 1800)
o Better to abolish from above, than have it forced upon us from below. Alex
FOR THIS TO CHANGE SERFDOM HAD TO BE ABOLISHED
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How were the Serfs Emancipated?
However?Peasants had to wait two years
State peasants 5 years
In return from the peasants?
Peasants to pay redemptionpayments for 49 years
These had a high - 6% interest
Payments often grater than land
value
Had to stay within commune until
all payments made.
Feb 1861Serfs Freed - 40 million
A starting block for the
peasants?Peasants granted land and
property
Rights to marry, travel and set up
businesses
Compensation?To land owners that lost out
Compensation often much higher
than the land that was taken was
actually worth
Gains Losses
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What were the problems
with Emancipation?
Russia remained backwardsnew type of slavery
Peasants paid more tax so high that they had to sell all their grain, leaving nothing
for them to survive on
Peasants had less land often infertile and scattered
Little changed peasants still tied to land and Mir and still used traditional farming
methods
Landlords paid off debts did not invest in the economy
248 out of 543million roubles paid to land lords as compensation was used to pay off debts
Household serfs who had no agricultural skills had to find other employment which
often wasn't very well paid or productive only gained freedom and no land
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What was the impact of Alexander IIs other
reforms?
JudicialAction TakenLocal courts set
up
Made fairer
system
PositivesEquality
established more
chance of a fair
trial - juries
Less judges giving
into black mail
NegativesLittle chance of
justice
No questioning
Everyonepresumed guilty
MilitaryAction Taken
Lowered
conscription to
6years (was 25)
Improved
training
Humane
discipline
More efficient
Positives
Not forced to
join
Militaryadvanced
Negatives
Serfs unable to
get higher ranks
Higher classesdominated
EducationAction Taken
Fundededucational
institutions
PositivesSchools open to all
regardless of sex or
class.Aimed to help
catch up with
western
modernised
countries
CurriculumInspectors
More poor and
women in unis
NegativesRadical an militant
thinkers increased/
revolutionar ideas
Local Gov.Action TakenSystem of elected
local councils
Electoral collages
PositivesZhemstva (filled
voids from
emancipation), had
a range of powers
to make
improvements e.g.
To roads
NegativesVotes so nobility
kept dominant
Democracy not
achieved.Short on money
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Economic development
Economic Development
Tsar tried to modernise Russia by:
o Emancipation
o
Railwayso Banks
He acheieved:
o 13,000 line of railway
o Building blocks on the way to modernisation
But failed at:
o Modernising Russia as it still lagged behind western Russia
o People not totally freed
o Time scale too slow
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Why did his reforms come to an end?
Polish Revolt He saw it as ingratitude and pointlessness to further reform
Personal life Affair and death of son retreated from political life
April 1866 Assassination attempt
Criticisms Slavophiles gone too far westernises not far enough
Increased radical demands and revolutionary activity
More Conservative ministers appointed
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What was the extent of the reaction up to
1881?
SentencingHarsher sentences in jail or exile
Separate political trials
EducationIncreased censorship over universitys
Increased restrictions on entry requirements (prevent lower classes getting in)
PressUsed to attack critics of government
Violence and opposition still grew
Alexander assassinated by the peoples will.
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How significant was opposition to Tsarism
up to 1881?
Intellectuals like Herzen and Chernyshevsky (what is to be done?) were
influential
Less censorship meant new ideas new ideas (and criticisms) spread quickly
Marxism
Populism made the government aware of the strong feelings loss of authority
and direction
Alexander IIs reforms raised expectationsDiscontent amongst higher classes Nobles, landlords
Better to reform from above, than have a reform from below
Failure to fulfil expectations of reformsRight win opposition
Why did opposition grow from the 1960s?
Students studied abroad and returned with new ideas
h f d l h
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What type of radical opposition was there in
the 1860s and 1870s?
The peoples willFrom land and liberty
Used direct violenceterrorism
Against gov. in attempt to spark revolution
Tsar had to be removed
Did not use real names Okrana 37 members + Mikhailov - leader
Before the assassination the group had
made 8 attempts to kill him.
Attempts mostly failed for example
blowing up the wrong trainBig threat to Tsardom
Resulted in political trials 5 hanged, 2
executed, 1 life imprisonment, 1 reduced to
20 yrs
Two break off groups Younger peoples will +
the other; Terrorism Section (killed Alex III)
Black partitionTried to persuade peasants to
revolt
Propaganda without having to
use violence
PopulismStudents
Persuade peasants to revolt
going to the people- dressed
up
3000 went to the countryside
Win over with socialists ideasBut peasants were ignorant and
ignored them
Land and liberty emerged from
this more radical and better
organised -violence
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Why did terrorism fail to destroy Tsarism?
Conservatives continued to support the Tsar rather than radicals
The terrorists failed to gain enough support
Terrorists offered no alternative form of government
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Alexander III 1881-1894
OVERVIEW
oPeriod of successful repression
o Crushed revolutionaries in the short term
o Economic change from Witte and the great spurt
o Utilised emergency powerso Created the Okhrana
o Increased censorship
o Created land captains
o Increased government interference in laws
o Restricted the zemstva and education
o Period of Russification
o Supported industrialisation - 8% increase per anum
o Exploited agriculture as a form of income from exports
o Created stability for autocracy
o He predicted 1905 revolution from the growth of urban and rural unrest
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Alexander III 1881-1894KEY DATES
March 1881 Alexander III becomes Tsar
1885 Peasant land banks
1891-2 Russia's worst famine of the 19th century
1892 Witte takes over from Vyshnegradsky
1894 Nicholas becomes Tsar
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Vyshenegradsky and Witte
Vyshenegradsky
Finance minister 1887-1892
Trans Siberian rail and
tariffs
Stronger gov
interference
Increased tax (on
peasants) and pushed for
exportation of goods
Balanced budget deficit
1891-1892 famine
WitteFinance minister 1893Highly influential extensive industrialisation
Oversaw construction of railway
Economic growth
Foreign investments encouraged
Gold standardCommitted to industrialisation driving force
Economic development only way to raise living
standards
If everyone prospered then no call for revolution
Identified key problems insufficient capital,lack of expertise, no manpower
Wh did th t
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Why did the government encourage
Economic Development
Emancipationfailed to stimulate
agricultural
development
Russia still backwards
Would create more
jobs for freed serfs
Economic strength =military strengthAble to produce more
weapons to protect
Russia
Industrial growthFor higher wages
Employment
Cheaper goods
Would guard against
social unrest
Couldn't compete
with other European
countries who had
experienced industrial
revolution
Had resources butcouldn't use them
efficiently because of a
lack of industry
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What policies were introduced?Protective
Tariffs
Foreign
investment1880 98
million roubles
1900 911
million roubles
Peasant Poll
Tax abolished
Peasants land
bank
Make Russian
currency
Stable
Expansion of
the Railway
System1900 53,000
km
1840 27 km
of railway
Taxes raisedAdviceForeign experts
and workersencouraged to
advise on
planning and
techniques
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What were the effects of the policies? -
Positives
ClassesUrbanisation
working classes
reached aprox. 11
million
Economy expansion1900 expanding at 8%
per annum
Russia 4th largest
economy
Exploitation of Russia's
raw materials
New industrial ideas
Growth in foreignTrade
However exports mainly
agricultural
Transport steamboats -
train
What ere the effects of the policies?
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What were the effects of the policies? -
Negatives
Heavy spending on military1885 onwards 50% of government spending on military
Low wages and unsecure employment1899 Russia affected by world depression
Poor living and working conditionsSlums, over crowding, pollution, poor health
1904 1/3 of houses in st Petersburg had houses with water
Workers vulnerable to revolutionary propaganda
ChurchInfluence of Orthodox church weakened peasants moved to cities
Middle class and workers grewDenied political voice
What were the effects of the policies on the
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What were the effects of the policies on the
rural economy
Land bank
Peasants purchased 1/3 of landlordsestates
Increased debt and taxes
American farms 1.5 that of Russia and
Britain 4 times greater
Famine -1891 peasants2 million died of starvation, also
outbreaks of typhus and cholera
Gov criticised by liberals and radicalsVyshenegradshywe shall not eat but
we shall export
Grain exports increased
Low income
Taxes raised so peasants sold
more grain to survive
Backwards methods remainedLand hunger mir still active
Poor yields
OtherImprovements in healthcare
able to do scheme 97 million
Didn't deal with strain of growing
population
Unfit for military serviceIMR 57.4%
LE 27 men 30 women
England's 46
Peasants affected negatively
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What type of opposition and ideas emerged
from the 1880s?
Socialist revolutionary party (was populist)
Terrorism and reform from below (peasants) little support - '
IntellectualsCriticises Tsarism
Middle class and workforcePotential opponents
Liberals (mainly middle class)Wanted modernisation more westernised
1904 union of liberation formed demanded democracy
Zemstva
Demanded more powers
MarxismIntellectuals support revolution
from the workers not peasants
Vision of economic and industrial
growth
Workers key to power
Russian Social democratic labour partyBelieved in Marxism split into:
Bolsheviks Small, sieze power ASAP
Mensheviks Spread propaganda not to lead to revolution
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Why did radical opposition emerge?
Famine 1891-92
Social effects of industrialisationUrbanisation
More industrial workers
Growing middle classes
MarxismNew radical ideas
Reactionary policies of Alexander
III and chief minister ChiefMinister Pobedonostsev
Combating opposition Secret policeOkhrana
Intrusive
Find revolutionary activity
Communists, socialists, trade unions etc..
Torturing, executions and exile
What were the reactionary policies?
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What were the reactionary policies?
Land captains appointed by Tsarist govControl courts, and local gov (Zemstva)
Gov direct control over police
Harsher Sentencing
Severe prison conditions
Special courts set up to try political offencesLberal judges removed
Peasant representation in Zemstva reduced
Russification forced to learn language and cultureDiscrimination and Anti-Semitism
5million Jews blamed for Russia's problemsUniversity fees raised
Tougher requirements and censorship
Lower classes got secondary education
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What reforms were introduced, 1881
1904?
Peasant land bank
Allowed to buy landfrom land lords
Introduction of 11 hour days
Largely ignored
Employment ofchildren under 12
banned
Factory inspections
Female workers inmines were banned
Peasants poll tax
abolished
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Nicholas II 1894-1917
OVERVIEW
o Did not want to be Tsar
o Unprepared
o Autocratic
o
Believed in the Divine Right from tutor Pobedonstevo Saw reform as a "senseless dream
o Continued repression - extended Russification.
o Could not maintain the regime
o Zemstva grew in power and strikes increased
o Peasant discontent grew from tax burden
o Land hunger resulted from an increase in population
o Loss of Russo-Japanese war
o Disorganised 1905 revolution which was ended by the weakness of
opposition and government concessions
Part I
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Nicholas II 1894-1917(Part I - 1894-1906)
KEY DATES
1894 Nicholas II becomes Tsar
1902-5 series of peasant uprisings
1903 Worst wave of anti Semitic pogroms
1904-5 Russo-Japanese war
Jan 1905
Bloody Sunday
October 1905 October manifesto
March 1906 Fundamental laws
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Why did war with Japan break out in 1904-5?
Under estimation
Russians believedthey would win
War would deflect
attention from
domestic problems
Land Disputes
Japan believed Russiawanted to gain land in
the far east
They had disputes over
Korea and Manchuria
Japan attacks
Japanese attacked theRussian fleet of port
Arthur
What were the consequences of the war?
Result to RussiaHumiliation
Forced to negotiate a
peace treaty (Treaty of
Portsmouth) and lost
influence in the far east
MilitaryArmy defeat in 1904
and 05
Total destruction of
Russia's main fleet in
May 1905 added to the
revolutionary process
BeginningEarly patriotism and
support of the Tsar
War was a distraction
from domestic problems
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What incidents followed Bloody Sunday?
As a result...General strikes swept across Russia, Jan-Feb 1905 400,000 strikers
Union of unions formed demanded reform
Sailors on the Potemkin Battleship mutinied Putilov Plant strikesAll Russian Peasants union demanded land reform
Railway Strike turned into general strike 2.7 million
Constitutional democratic Party formed Kadets
Soviet set up workers council
Workers in Moscow set up baracades fighting with police and soldiersPeasant u risin s s read 3000. land lords houses ro ert runined
How did the 1905 Revolution start? Bloody Sunday-
Jan 1905
Demonstration lead by Father Gapon
They demanded:
8hour working day
Elected assembly
Freedom of speech
150,000 protestors fired on by soldiers in front of Tsars winter palaceUp to 200 deaths 800 wounded
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Why did Revolution occur in 1905?
EconomicEconomic Slump job loss
Poor harvests starvation, disease, civil unrestPopulation expansion lead to pressure on
resources
Wittes reforms affected the least paid the most
had to work in bad conditions, low wages and
high tax
Peasants tax and redemption payments
PoliticalRevolutionary groups encouraged action against Tsarism changeonly through revolution (SRs)
Military defeat with Japan humiliation
Repression by gov secret police and censorship
Disillusionment of middle class who were denied political outlet
Nationalism non Russians angry at policies towards them
(Russification)
TRIGGERBloody
Sunday
9th/22nd
Jan 1905
SocialPoor living conditions
Poor working conditionsPeasants discontent
War left food shortage, high
prices and unemployment
Wh t f did Ni h l ll d
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What reforms did Nicholas allow and
promise in response to the revolution?
PeasantsRedemption
payments cancelled
GovernmentNicholas accepted cabinet
government and appointed
Witte as his first prime minister
Had warned on verge of
revolution
And the opposition?United at start of 1905 - Divided by end of 1905Liberals accepted
St Petersburg soviet called general strike not
supported by workers and middle class
General strike called off birth of new Russia
Trotsky and Lenin granted constitution yet autocracy
remains ranted ever thin et ranted nothin
Russian people reactionCelebration on streets of St Petersburg sang, waved flags
The Fundamental
LawsLegislative power
with Duma and council
of empire
Tsar approves laws
without, a law cannotexist
Tsar can appoint and
dismiss the president
of the Duma
Tsar can abolish
Duma
October ManifestoIt Promised
Elected State Duma
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom of press
Freedom of speech
Wh t f i did Ni h l d
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What means of repression did Nicholas and
Stolypin use?Petersburg soviet closed
down LawsFundamental
lawsTsar issued
Limited Duma
powerTsar ultimate
authority
Martial law
declared
Uprising and ViolenceMoscow uprising was
bloodily put downOver 1000 workers died
two weeks of street fighting
Death penalty
Use of death penalty5000 death sentences
between 1907-09
OppositionArrests of opponents
200,000 political
prisoners 1908
1912 Lena Goldfields
massacre200 strikers killed by
soldiers
Strike for working
conditions and living
conditions
Caused widespread
disgust but not
revolution
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Nicholas II 1905-1917
OVERVIEW
o Reforming concessions under the influence of Witte
o End of peasant debt
o
October manifesto - creation of Duma (parliament) which pulled theLiberal movements suit
o Fundamental laws 1906 - limited legislative power of the Duma
o Stolypin's restrictions made the Duma supportive of the Tsar
o The first agrarian reforms created by Stolypin - the Stolypin system
Part II
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May 1906 Meeting of the First Duma
1907 Cancellation of redemption payments
April 1912 Lena Goldfields massacre
August 1914 Russia enters FWW
1915-16ministerial leapfrogging changing ministers
18th Feb 3rd March February revolution
Nicholas II 1894-1917(Part II 1906 - 1917)
KEY DATES
H did h D ?
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How did the Dumas operate?
1st Duma National hopesApril June 1906
30% workers/peasents
Majority of SRs, Bolsheviks Mensheviks,
Octoberists etc.
Wanted: everyone to have a vote, Land
reforms, Trade union rights, Release political
prisonersThese were all rejected by Tsar
Dissolved by Tsar too radical and demanding
2nd Duma National angerFeb June 1907
Governments attempts to interfere
with elections
Dissolved by Tsar after refusing to
expel social democratic deputies
Liberal members reduced and left
wingers increasedStolypin dissolved wanted to
change voting system exclude large
number voting
3rd Duma Lords and Lackeys
3rd Nov 1907 1912Agreed 2000-2500 gov proposals
Disputes
By the end not working no control
More representation of nobility
Opposition parties (Bols..) now
outnumbered by reactionaries and nationalists
4th
DumaNovember 1912- August 1917
Rift between left and right
Number of radicals increased
Duma ignored
Workers took initiativestrike
activity and direct action
Wh t i f i t d d b
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What agrarian reforms were introduced by
Stolypin?
SuccessImmediate impact
15% of the peasantry took up new
opportunities
1914 25% left communes
10% consolidated their holdingsLand banks set up to help
peasants become owners
1907 redemption payments
abolished
Nobility support revolution lesslikely
LimitationsNot total success
After initial rush applications to leave
and consolidate declined
Stolypins peasants became more
prosperous (ones who took advantage)14% of communal land passed onto
private ownership
Strip farming carried on and wouldn't
give up security of the mir
Couldn't build large farmsPoor and landless peasants - alienated
Aims
Goal to transform traditional agricultureAbolish communal system
Aimed to create a new type of peasant class
Wager on the strong and sober - Stolypin
What was the condition of Russia in 1914?
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PositivesSome increasingly prosperous peasants
Rapidly growing industry
Improving working and living conditions for
some high inflation, no real improvement
in their living standards 1905-14
Peasants became richer, gained freedom to
buy land, travel and more independence
(peasants)
Health service, education, wages (workers)Professional job expansion, support
conservative outlook (middle class)
Stolypins necktie, 3,000 hung, military
courts, repression okrana, Duma (less
political opposition)Banks, oil (second to Texas) 100% increase
in production, coal increase fourth largest
(economic growth)
Duma succeeds in land reform, autocrat
evolution, loyalty (stability)
NegativesIndustry still small and inefficient
Agricultural production remained low
Repression did not get rid of
oppositionopposition went
underground
4/5 still peasants, 60% illiterate, Serbia
land taken, increase gap between rich
and poor gained little from boom
(peasants)No trade unions, grim conditions, low
education, 1912-14 3mill involved in
strike, inflation, Lena goldfields(wk)
Minority, growth in rev. Ideas
Marxism, Bolsheviks etc. (M/class)inflation, unstable econ,
communications not passed
on(economic growth)
Duma-lack of power + abollished,
fundamental laws, unfair trials, Tsarthreat (stability)
What was the condition of Russia in 1914?
How had Russia developed economically by
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How had Russia developed economically by
1914?
UndevelopedIndustry only employed 5% of
population
Population explosion crisis in
agriculture and poor working/living
conditions
Regime still reliant on depression
No trade unions or legal protection
At mercy of employers
Wages rose but so did inflation -40%
Some areas better than others
Conditions grimLow levels of education
Lena goldfields
3 million workers invloved in strike
activity
4/5 Russian pop. Still peasants lack
of development
DevelopedExports growing
Economy growing 8.8% per year
more than western rivals
5th largest industrial power
Expanded enterprises
State money into heavy industry
4th largest coal producer
Neglect light industry grew with
consumer demand
State revenue doubled 4bil roubles
2393 banks by 1914Factories rise 2300
Extension of health services
1912- health insurance estab.
10years compulsory education -77%
growth in pupils1914 40% literacy rate increase
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Why was Tsarism able to survive up to 1914?
Growing support for the
governmentGovernmental reforms
Education
taxation
Stolypin worked with 3rd and
4th
Dumas changed electoralsystem, co-operation with the
Tsars government - more willing
Liberals (octoberists/kadets)
to work with Tsars government
Advance in industrialisation
and economic growth
Increased workers standard of
living
Decline in support for revolutionary
groupsRepression of revolutionary groups
authorities successful, secret police
infiltration Lenin, SRs etc. Exiled
1444 people hung in 1907
Arrests and speady trials3000 suspects convicted and
executed
Groups dividedRSDLP into Bolsheviks
and Mensheviks
Loss of support dropped from 150,000in 1905 to 10,000 in 1914
4th Duma only 13 seats
Most wanted to get on with the difficult
task of living
SRs not clear how they would bring
change
Situation in March 1917
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Situation in March 1917
Armed forcesPoorly equipped
Conscription - Refused ordersdont remain loyal
Royal FamilyUnpopular blamed military failings on Nic -Dislike Tsarina- German spy?
Final straw to let Rasputin and Tsarina take over lost support and nobility support
Social and Economic discontentOnly 9% of Russia mobilised -Women and children took over work
People in army relieved pop. Pressures -produce less goods
Liberal oppositionUnsuccessful Duma overruled and abolished
Split, radical action and compromised
War
Early patriotism -food shortageHigh deaths -opposition (similar to 1905 revolution but larger scale)
Tsars actionsNot listen to reform, close duma, reassert authority by joining front line
Tsar Abdication
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Effects of war at homeFood and fuel shortage - prohibition
Inflation -unemployment
Loss of supportMiddle classes wanted a greater say
Resentment towards Tsarina and Rasputin
Harsh winters of 1916
Revolution beginsInternational woman's day- Tsar order to use force
Putliov works strike in Petrograd 40,000
Tsar goes to front linePersonal responsibility Tsarina and Rasputin left to run country
The effects of war
Deafeats at Tannenberg + Masurian lakes1 million+ casualties or prisoners of war by 1914
Army takes sideFeb army refuse to obey orders some shot officers and joined demonstrations
Tsar AbdicationRailway workers refused Tsar entrance to PetrogradTsar abdicates and exiled -Siberia
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IN DEATAIL Masurian Lakes and Tannenberg
Masurian lake and Tannenberg battles:
oSuffered humiliating defeats
o1 million losses and casualties
oLarge majority of the killed were inexperienced soldiers
oDrop in moral
oLow intake
oDesertion and mutinies
oNot properly equipped clothing, two riffles between three
oCommunication problems
oNic II went to front line questioning of Tsars capability personallyresponsible
oMobilised 15million men between 1914 and 1917 Positive
oBegan to make 10,000 riffles a month - Positive
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Provisional Government 1917+
OVERVIEW
oSometimes known as the "Kerensky Government" after its leader.
oIt lasted approximately eight months
oLed by socialist Alexander Kerensky, a prominent member of the Duma
and a leader of the movement to unseat the Tsar.
oThe Provisional Government was unable to make decisive policy decisions
oThis weakness left the government open to strong challenges from both
the right and the left.
oThe period of competition for authority ended in late October 1917
oBolsheviks routed the ministers of the Provisional Government in the
events known as the October Revolution
oThey then placed power in the hands of the soviets, or "workers
councils," which they largely controlled.
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Provisional Government 1917+KEY DATES
27th Feb 1917 First meeting of Petrograd soviet (workers, sailors etc.)
27th Feb 1917 Provisional Government established
3rd April 1917 Lenins return
3rd-6th July 1917 the July Days
August 1917
Kornilov revolt
24th Oct 1917 Members of the red guard seize key points in Petrograd
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What was the impact of the FWW - Military
Faith in the TsarLost as commander in
chief
Made the decision to
join and command the
Russian armed forces
Losses1.6 million deaths by
1917
3.9 million wounded
2.4 million taken
prisoner
Mass mutinies
DefeatsOnly 8.8% mobilised
Compared to
Germanys 20.5%
Lacked equipment and
admin
Within first two
years met demands
- but after huge
shortages
Lacked equipment and
adminFood shortages
Attitude turned to
pessimism and
defeatism
Stone some historians may have exaggerated Russia's
weakness in 1917
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Fuel ShortagesThe lack of coal
increase
Hugely affect
transport
Moscow andPetrograd got
1/3rd of the fuel it
needed
Transport/FoodDisruption of rails caused
massive food shortages
By 1914 Russia had 44,000
miles of railway
Huge pressures to transport
troops and food to front line
Food left to rot as the side
of rail breakdowns
Petrograd and Moscow got
1/3rd of the food it needed
Hunger/famine reality of
war
Lack of resources for the
population
CostInflation
In three years meat
prices rose by 232%
1.5 billion roubles
spent on warHigh taxation and
borrowing from
abroad gave Russia
the funds it needed
Wages were paid but
money was worthless
What was the impact of the FWW - Economi
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What was the impact of the FWW - Politically
Support for Radicals increase
Social revolutionaries,Mensheviks
Bolsheviks
Formation of progressive bloc
Kadets, octoberists, nationalists andprogressive industrialists
Liberal members of Dumas
Opposed Tsarism
Bloc to persuade Tsar to make
concessions focal point of politic
resistance
LossingovernmentsupportTsar devoted to autocracy
Tsars refusal to cooperate with non-
gov organisations Zemstva, union
of town councils
Military zones civilian authority
taken over in these areasZemstva and city authorities
became the Zemgor focus of liberal
opposition
Zemgor
Help for war wounded RussiansHighlighted gov. Failures
Alternative to Tsarism?
Tsarina reputation damaged by
Rasputins influence over her
Tsarina German spy?
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The February Revolution - 1917
Demonstrations
intensifiedAttacked gov
buildingsDown
with the Tsar, Down
with the War
Tsar unable to return to
Petrograd
Workers had railways tornup
International
Women's Day +Striking workers240,000 involved
DemonstrationsContinued and Grew and spreadSoldiers joined in
Petrograd garrison refused to fire
at crowds as Nic ordered
Half actively supported
revolution
Tsar refusal to
form new
government atrequest of Duma
Generals convinced
Nic II to abdicate
Would help wareffort - Ruzsky
Provisional Gov formed
Included members of progressive bloc and Petrograd soviet
Who supported revolution?
oRevolution was spontaneous
oIt was not planned by political parties
oSukhanovNo one party was preparing for the great overturn
Why did the February Revolution occur?
oThe Long war was overwhelming
oGovernment could not cope with the war
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Who supported revolution?
oRevolution was spontaneous
oIt was not planned by political parties
oSukhanovNo one party was preparing for the great overturn
Why did the February Revolution occur?
oThe Long war was overwhelmingoGovernment could not cope with the war
What were the problems faced by the Provisional
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What were the problems faced by the Provisional
Government, March-Oct 1917
Kornilov AffairGeneral Kornilov march into
Petrograd (wanted stricter discipline)
Pro Gov armed workersKerensky turned to Bolsheviks for
support to help defend
Exploited the weakness of the gov
Had to rely on opposition to stay in
power
Food and Fuel shortagesContinued
Especially in towns and cities
The War
Continued losses and desertionsJuly (1917) offensive failed
Loyalty to allies
Dual PowerBetween Pro gov and Petrograd soviet
Needed soviets support to pass
anything
Land RedistributionProvisional gov delayed this and refused
Peasants began to seize land
July 1917 1,100 illegal attacks by
peasants on landlords property
Deserters returned home to claim their
land
Continuingly growing oppositionBolsheviks grewpeace, bread, land
Kornilov Affair key to this
SRs Bolsheviks and MensheviksInspired by Marxism
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Petrograd Soviet and Provisional Government
oProvisional government = formed from Kadet and Octoberist
members of the Duma
oSoviets = Workers, soldiers 3000 members not dominated by
one racial party
oMay 1917 Soviets joined the Provisional Government
What were the problems faced by the Provisional
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What were the problems faced by the Provisional
Government, March-Oct 1917
....Kornilov Affair in Detail
July days series of demonstrations/strikes/protests
Exploited the provisional government as weak having a lack of control over the
Russian people
Kornilov believed in stricter discipline of the Russian people to repress them
Believed he could take over and do a better jobFor those who didn't comply harsher penalties or sent to front line
General Kornilov march into Petrograd
Pro Gov armed workers
Kerensky turned to Bolsheviks for support to help defend
Exploited the weakness of the govHad to rely on opposition to stay in power
Then what?
Bolsheviks seized opportunity to organise workers red guards
Kerensky supplied with arms
Kerensky ordered Kornilov to surrender (was planning military dictatorship?)
Sept 1st Kornilov and General arrested
Wh h B l h ik bl i ?
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Why were the Bolsheviks able to seize power?
Trotskys (Bol)
organisationhelped them
seize the
momentHe became
chairman of
soviet
Soldiers agreed
to give
Bolsheviks
weapons
Lenin was a good
leaderApril Thesis
End to war
All power to the
soviets
Peace bread landKornilov affair showed
that Bolsheviks could
lead
Bolsheviks opposed the
provisional governmentNot compromised
by their involvement
SRs and
Mensheviks were
The Pro
Govbecame
more
and
more
disliked
(previous
slide)
The
Bolshevikswere
increasingly
popularMajority party
in Petrograd
H did th B l h ik i ?
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How did the Bolsheviks seize power?Social
revolutionariesand
Mensheviks
refused to
work with
BolsheviksSo Bolsheviks
formed a
government
alone.
Lenin
announcedreplacement
of the
Provisional
Government
24th Oct 1917
Bolshevikstook up key
points in
PetrogradBridges
Post officesRailways
Banks
Kerensky (pro
gov leader)appealed for
help but
none came
Revolution was a coup detat
- blow state