Additional Information : What was Russia like in 1905?

Additional Information 

• Difficult to Govern.
• Russia covered 1/6 of the world's land surface.
• Population of 125 million people.
• Many different nationalities ; ethnic groups.
• Autocratic ruling
• Omnipotent authority ; could pass any laws he wanted at anytime.
• No parliament and all political parties are banned.
• Received advice from ministers that he handpicked strictly from the "nobility" class.
• No opposition to the Tsar.
• Extreme censorship of the press and publications.
• Brutal secret police service, Okhrana, they helped eliminate all political oppositions.
• Most opposition groups were exiled to Siberia.
• Overruling of upperclass and nobility.
• Nobles formed 0.1% of the Russian population.
• However, they owned 25% of land.
• Middle class (bourgeoisie) formed following the industrialisation and demanded democracy.
• Peasants
• 80% of Russian population were peasants.
• Old-fashioned farming methods and poor crops meant that food shortages were a norm.
• Lack of technology and infrastructure meant that Russia was well behind.
• Living conditions were horrible.
• Unsanitary - epidemic of diseases were frequent.
• Cramped - most families had to share 1 room.

Paper 1 : Autocracy and Revolt in Russia : 1881 - 1914 : The Dumas and Stolypin

Attitude of Tsar II towards the first four Dumas

• Only to be elected from the nobility.
• The first duma met in 1906, but was closed after 72 days.
• The first two Dumas were openly critical to the Tsar which lead to the Tsar dismissing them.
• Nicholas II retained the title of autocrat and continued to appoint and dismiss ministers as he pleased.
• Laws continued to be promulgated by the government without reference to the Duma as Stolypin and Nicholas II changed the electoral system without the Duma in session.
• This defied the purpose of the October Manifesto as the democracy promised to the people was not fulfilled.
• Oppression continued in the power of the Tsar's secret police, Okhrana.
• Again this renders the October Manifesto ineffective.
• This was because Nicholas II only promised to the October Manifesto as a desparate measure and a sign of weakness.

Stolypin's policy of repression and land reform

• Stolypin established military tribunals as a policy of repression
• He proposed public execution of thousands to suppress ongoing revolutionary activity.
• He convicted 16,500 people of political crimes and 3,500 of them to a death sentence.
• As a result, political assassinations dropped to 365 in 1908 compared to 1,200 in 1907.
• When the first 2 Dumas refused to pass the Tsar's legislation, he advised the Tsar to dissolve them.
• In 1907, he changed the franchise to prevent the poor from voting for the third and fourth dumas.
• Suspended voting in areas where the population had not reach civic development lead to fewer representatives from the lower classes, ie. peasants, urban wokers. 
• This created Dumas who were more obedient towards the Tsar.
• With the peasants excluded from voting, thus eliminates 78% of the population as the peasants formed the majority.
• This encouraged the autocratic regime to continue on as the upperclass would vote for a Duma from the nobility without opposition.
• Stolypin carried out land reforms such as breaking up the Mirs and setting up a peasants bank.
• The peasant bank enabled the poor to purchase land for agriculture.
• This benefitted about 15% of the peasants who established larger and more productive farms.
• Other peasants sold their land and ended up in the cities, which increased industrial work force.
• He abolished redemption payments which reduced the burden of peasants.
• By 1915, 50% of the peasants had ownership of land.
• Agricultural production raised from 46 tonnes in 1906 to 61 tonnes in 1913.

Lena Goldfield strike

• Lena Goldfield was a mine containing substantial mineral resources.
• Several thousand workers were hired and transported to the mine from Siberia.
• Workers failed to live up to the exorbitant promises made by company officials.
• As a result, workers had to work for 14-16 hours a day in a risky work environment without safety equipment.
• 70% of the workers succumb to injury and illness on a monthly basis.
• Workers would be fined for trivial offences and their already low wage would be deducted.
• The company manipulated basic necessities of the miners. 
• These commodities are purchased from canteens in the mine operated by the company.
• The company would raise the prices of these basic necessities and miners had to be an exorbitant price for low-quality goods.
• In 1911, the company reduced workers' pay and instead pay them with canteen coupons which narrows the worker's shopping outlets to only the canteen in the mine.
• In 1912, the company served rotten horse meat disguised as beef.
• AS A RESULT :
• This sparked a widespread strike amongst the workers.
• 6,000 miners formed a strike committee and handed the company a list of demands.
• They demanded for a 8 hour work day, higher wages, abolition of company fines as well as improved quality of goods sold in the canteen.
• The strike continued and thus, froze mining production.
• The company requested troops and arrested the leaders of the striking committee.
• This led to an increase of strikes and 2,500 miners marched to the company headquarters demanding release of their leaders.
• They were met with a brigade of soldiers and 250 men were killed.

4 mark question : Write one effect about the Lena Goldfield massacre.

One of the effects of the Lena Goldfield massacre was the widespread of strikes nationwide. 6,000 miners formed a striking committee for better working conditions such as an 8 hour shift instead of a 16 hour shift and higher wages. The mining company acquired troops to arrest striking committee leaders. This led to 2,500 miners marching to the company headquarters to demand the release of the leaders. The brigade of troops then shot and killed 250 men. This soon spread to urban workers as they relate to the long working hours and low pay. This then led to a nationwide strike.

Paper 1 : Autocracy and Revolt in Russia : 1881 - 1914 : The growth of opposition to Tsarist rule

• Emergence of opposition groups including the Constitutional Democrats (Cadets), Octobrists, Social Revolutionary Party and Social Democrats.
• Octobrists 
• Conservative group who supported the October Manifesto
• 1913, led by Guchkov 
• The Tsar's loyal supporters
• They thought that he had gone too far in removing the Duma's rights.
• They warned the Tsar that a catastrophe would occur if the government was not respected.
• Constitutional Democrats (Cadets)
• Liberal group in the Duma
• Led by Milyukov
• Represented middle class professions and businessmen.
• They wanted a constitutional monarchy
• Social Democrats
• In 1903, they split into Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
• Mensheviks (Men of minority) led by Martov
• Mensheviks represented the majority of the socialists, they concentrated on making life better for the working masses.
• Bolsheviks (Men of majority) led by Lenin
• Lenin believes that condition in Russia should not be improved because it will lessen support of the revolution.
• Revolution would be followed by a period of change in society and economy in socialism which would be followed by a communist regime.
• Mainly supported by the industrial working class, their leadership was mainly middle class.
• Social Revolutionary Party
• Led by Chernov
• They were the most popular party in Russia
• Some believed in assassinations to weaken the government, some believed in revolutions
• They were united in their determination to redistribution of land to the peasants.
• Appealed to Russian youth and peasants.
• In 1901, they split into 2, (operated out of country because political opposition was illegal)
• LEFT SOCIAL REVOLUTIONARIES
• Terrorists operating out of Berlin
• RIGHT SOCIAL REVOLUTIONARIES
• Dedicated to distributing propaganda operating out of Geneva.
• Split in Social Democrats - Mensheviks and Bolsheviks
• Mensheviks
• Believes that membership should be opened to all
• Bolsheviks
• Believes that membership should only be opened to the elite

Paper 1 : Autocracy and Revolt in Russia, 1881 - 1914 : The 1905 Revolution

Points in blue represent the specification point according to Edexcel History.

Points written in red represents the main point.
Points written in purple represents sub points.

       Elaboration on main point         Results          Definition

RUSSO - JAPANESE WAR

• Russo-Japanese War Failure.

• Nicholas II thought that the war as a victory in a short war would stop people criticising his government.
• War made conditions worse.
• Prices rose in cities.
• Caused shortages of food and other goods.
• Lack of industrial materials caused factories to close down.
• Increased rate of unemployment and hungry.
• As the war progressed, Russia was plunged deeper and deeper into crisis. 
• 1905, Port Arthur fell to the Japanese, bringing renewed protest about the incompetence of the Tsar and the Government. 
• This soon led to working class, the peasants and middle class, liberals joining together in the 1905 revolution.
• Humiliating for Russia as Japan was such a small country.
• Major Battles
• Russian Navy fought 2 major battles to relieve Port Arthur.
• Liaoyang and Sha Ho.
• Russians were defeated and surrendered.
• 2nd January 1905, Japanese captured Port Arthur.
• Russian Army suffered 90,000 casualties in its failed attempt to Mukden.
• In May 1905, Russian Navy was attacked at Tsushima, Naval Battle in Japan.
• 20 ships sunk.
• 5 ships captured.
• Only 4 ships managed to reach safety at Vladivostok.
• Sergei Witte led the Russian delegation at the peace conference held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in August 1905.
• Treaty of Portsmouth
• Liaotung Peninsula and the South Manchurian Railway went to Japan.
• Island of Sakhalin was divided into two.
• The Nothern Manchurian Highway and Chinese Eastern Railway remained under Russian control.
• Casualties
• 80,000 Japan army casualties.
• 130,000 Russian men dead.
• China suffered 20,000 civillian deaths.
• China financially lost 69 million taels.
• Unknown number of soldiers dead at sea, no agreed consensus soldiers at sea.
• Many ships denied rescuing casualties that were left shipwrecked.
• This led to Geneva Convention in 1906, gave protection and care to the shipwrecked soldiers.
• Major results :
• Japan's prestige rose greatly as it is now seen as a modern nation.
• Russia lost virtually its entire Pacific and Baltic fleets as well as international esteem.
• Russia was France and Serbia's ally, that loss of prestige had a significant effect on Germany's future when planning to war with France and Austria-Hungary's war with Serbia.
• Russian military capabilities in World War One was underestimated.

• Reason why Russia lost :
• Lack of technology.
• Underestimation of Japan as it is an "Asian" country.
• Lack of Russian's infrastructure.
• Unable to supply troops because industry was so backwards.
• Geographically difficult to manipulate army troops around.

FATHER GAPON AND BLOODY SUNDAY (JANUARY 1905)

• Father Gapon and the workers of Petrograd were faced with problems when working.
• Workers wanted reduced shift at factories to 8 hours, increasing in wages as well as sanitary improvements in working areas.
• Dirty working areas has known to cause diseases which workers succumb to.
• As a result, Father Gapon drew up a petition, outlining the worker's sufferings in hopes to discuss with the Tsar as he viewed himself as one of the "children" of the Tsar.
• They intended it to be a peaceful petition listing of their grievances.
• On Sunday 22nd January, 200,000 people and Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace to deliver the petition to the Tsar. 
• However, as the marchers met with the palace, they met with troops.
• Unfortunately, the Tsar was not at his palace. Troops were given no guidelines from authorities and began shooting as the "peaceful" demonstration were perceived as a threat.
• Over 100 workers were killed and 300 wounded.
• As a result of the Bloody Sunday,
• Strikes took place all over the country involving 400,000 people.
• Peasants attacked homes of their landlords.
• Trans-siberian railway grind to a halt, made it difficult economically.
• Universities close down as students complained about the lack of civil rights and with that, staged a walkout.
• Students essentially "boycotted" the education system.
• Lawyers, doctors, engineers and middle-class workers established the Union of Unions and demanded a constituent assembly.

Key events of the 1905 revolution.

• It was sparked by a peaceful protest, Bloody Sunday.
• This was the turning point for the relationship of the Russians and the Tsar.
• The intention of the Russian Orthodox preacher, Father Gapon, and the workers were nothing but innocent. 
• They did not plan on making any political protest, or sense of overthrowing the government but to simply outline the unsanitary and demanding lifestyle in the factories. 
• Potemkin Mutiny (June 1905)
• Soldiers protested against the serving of rotten meat for meals.
• It was unjust as they had to fight for the country but are supplied inferior quality of living.
• The captains of the ship ordered that the ringleaders to be shot.
• The firing-squad refused to shoot, instead joined the ringleaders and retaliated, "mutinied" by throwing the captains overboard.
• The Potemkin Mutiny later spread to other armies and navy bases. 
• Setting up of the soviets
• In October 1905, industrial workers all over Russia went on strike.
• The railwaymen paralysed the whole Russia Trans-siberian railway network. 
• This resulted in the creation of the Petrograd Soviet created by Trotsky and Mensheviks. 
• October Manifesto
• Sergei, the new Chief Minister advised the Tsar to make concessions as the Romanov's autocratic ruling has taken a nosedive in popularity amongst Russians.
• The Tsar agreed and brought in reforms.
• Threatened by the events of the 1905 revolution, the Tsar contemplated a military dictatorship or a constitutional monarchy. 
• They chose a constitutional monarchy in the end which marked the end of unlimited autocratic ruling in Russia.
• He did not do this because he wanted to change Russia but rather as a sign of weakness. 
• He could feel himself losing grip of his autocratic prowess.
• The October Manifesto granted civil rights and freedom of speech for the people, the creation of a Duma and universal suffrage.

Reasons why Nicholas survived

• October Manifesto
• It managed to please majority of opposition groups.
• With the promise of a duma, the Tsar indirectly promised the people democracy.
• The Liberals were happy as their aim was to have a constitutional monarchy.
• Other groups like the Kadets and Social democrats (Mensheviks and bolsheviks) were unhappy as they either wanted the abolishment of the autocratic regime or communism.
• The Tsar could crush pockets of resistance from opposition to his Tsarist regime with the military.
• Therefore, Nicholas II was able to survive the 1905 revolution.
• Segregation of opposition groups
• There was varying levels of opposition towards the Tsarist regime.
• This was because all opposition groups wanted different aims.
• For example, the Social Democrats who were the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks wanted communism.
• They had the same aim but different methods of achieving it.
• The Mensheviks believe that membership to the party should be open to all while the Bolsheviks believed that only the elite could join.
• Other groups like the Liberals wanted a constitutional monarchy.
• The difference in aims and criteria of each group respectively made it difficult for a cohesive action to be taken.
• This allowed the Tsar to remove each opposition one by one.
• Therefore, the Tsar was able to survive the 1905 revolution.
• Conclusion :
• The promise of a Duma in the October Manifesto and the Segregation of opposition groups simplified the elimination of opposition towards the Tsarist regime.
• Therefore, Tsar Nicholas II was able to survive the 1905 revolution.

Paper 1 : Autocracy and Revolt in Russia, 1881 - 1914 : Problems facing Nicholas II, 1894 - 1905

Autocracy and Revolt in Russia, 1881 - 1914 
Problems facing Nicholas II, 1894 - 1905

Points in blue represent the specification point according to Edexcel History.

Points written in red represents the main point.
Points written in purple represents sub points.

       Elaboration on main point         Results          Definition

Weakness of Nicholas II as Tsar. 

• Viewed as ‘soft’ by his father
• Inherited throne suddenly – father died of kidney disease aged 49 (underprepared) 
• Strongly conservative – closest adviser & mentor, Constantin Pobedonostsev; inherited Romanov belief in divine appointment & moral rightness of autocracy

Witte and Industrial Growth. (1892 - 1903)

SUCCESSES ; 

• Work was sponsored, overseen by Government, nicknamed "Witte System"
• Government placed emphasis on production of capital goods (iron, steel, coal, machinery)
• Much of the expansion was financed from loans abroad (France)
• Overseas loans and investments aided industrial growth.
• Raised tariffs, tax, interest rates to increase capital.
• Limit on imported goods, encourage Russians to use Russian products. (also helps money circulate in the country)
• Expansion of the Trans-Siberian Railway system (1902)
• Rapid expansion of cities, as large scale manufacture attracted people seeking employment.
  St. Petersburg's population increased from 1 to 2 million in 1914.

FAILURES ;

• Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon at that time, it wasn't just work of Witte.
• Too dependent on foreign investments. 
• Lighter type of industry underinvested and agriculture ignored.
• Overcrowding in cities, led to poor living conditions and growth in dissent as a result.
• Poor working conditions because trade unions was made illegal.
• Still lagged behind other industrial powers.
  Austria-Hungary expanded national income by 79%, Britain by 70% and Russia with only 50%.

 Problems faced by Nicholas II including discontent of the peasants, town works and subject nationalities (ethnic minorities)

• Growth of the Urban Proletariat.
• 1900 - only 2-3 million industrial workers out of 110 million Russians.
  These workers were confined in 4 main areas.
• Factories were poorly lit & badly ventilated, had long working hours & brutal discipline. There was no job security.
• Living conditions were appalling - workers lived in unsanitary dormitories or rented rooms.
• In 1911, typhus, smallpox, typhoid & cholera were serious problems for industrial workers.
• All of these experiences created a militant working class.
• From the 1880s there was an increasing number of industrial strikes.
• 68 strikes in 1895.
• 125 strikes in 1900.
• 14, 000 strikes in 1905.
• There was a trickle of social legislation but it was often ignored :
• 1892 : No children under 12 to be employed.
• 1892 : No female labour allowed in mines.
• 1896 : 11 1/2 working day introduced.
  
• Overpopulation
• Factory investments and resettlement of farmers into towns built around factories as a way to improve economy. 
• Russian towns were not ready socially and politically for the sudden economic growth.
• There was 197% increase of population in Moscow, 253% in Warsaw, 827% in Lodz. 
• This led to urban overcrowding.
• This became a problem as there wasn't enough land and houses.
• Living conditions were squalid and severely inadequate.
• Existing houses were poorly built, no proper plumbing and heating facilities.
• Overcrowding in factory barracks/dormitory lead to an average of 3 workers sharing a bed.
• The barter system was re-introduced (was almost as if Russia was moving backwards), workers were paid with goods instead of money to improve working and living conditions.
• The problem with the barter system is that value of goods were hard to determine and most local people were being paid in "kindness" which led to lack of diversity in terms of merchandise.
• Conditions of Peasants.
• Life expectancy was under 40.
• Living conditions were poor.
• There were severe famines.
• Land shortage due to increasing population.
• Also only 6 % of the land could be farmed on so the lack of land and increasing population
• Caused severe case of land hunger; more food needed to be circulated as there are more people.
• Competitive farming; more peasants needed work.
• Peasants' thriving agricultural economy had failed to develop as it was ignored due to the focus on industrial growth.  

• Popular unrest & politics.
• Industrial instability 
• Between 1900 - 1903, almost 30% of the labour force were put out of work.
  These unemployed workers became hungry and bored with was dangerous.
• Labour concentration
• By 1914, 40% workers in factories employing a thousand men more.
• This could be easily mobilised for political disturbances.
• For the first time, large groups of people are working together.
• Frequency of strikes and disputes 
• Working & living conditions were low & poor.
• Wages led to disputes with factory owners.
• Russian troops were used against strikers.
• Trade unions were made illegal. (workers lose the right to strike)
• Strikes were made punishable by fines.
• Refusal to work could lead to arrest.
  
• NOT IN THE SPEC

• 4 Main opposition groups : (Populists, Social Revolutionaries, Social Democrats, Liberals)
• can be said to be ineffective because four different opposition groups want different aims, therefore they are disorganised and ineffective in penetrating the government. 
• Populists (Narodniks)
• First revolutionary movement in Russia during 1870s primarily led by students.
• They believed that change would only come from the peasants.
• Many were arrested after the Okhrana infiltrated their groups.
• By the late 1870s they had divided into two distinct groups;
• The People's Will - a terrorist organisation 
• Land and Liberty movement - who continued to work with the peasants.
• The movement was destroyed after Alexander II's assassination.
• Social Revolutionaries 
• Their main aim is to redistribute land to peasants.
• They appealed to peasants & youth and factory workers.
• Led by Victor Chernov.
• In 1901, they split into two groups;
  (operate out of Russia because political opposition was illegal)
• Left Social Revolutionaries - terrorists operating out of Berlin.
• Right Social Revolutionaries - dedicated to distributing propaganda operating out of Geneva.
• Between 1901 - 1905, Left murdered 2000 aristocrats.
• 1905, Right gained middle class professional support as well as support from the peasants.
• By 1906, comprehensive programme promising "revolutionary socialism" - but this meant giving all the land to the peasants with no compensation for the rich -- which was not an ideal immediate solution.

• The Liberals
• There was no single Liberal Party.
• They were largely middle class & loyal to the Tsar.
• They wanted a constitutional monarchy and Russia to westernise.
• Social Democrats
• They believed change would come to the proletariat because peasants showed little interest.
• They were attracted by Marxist ideas and the Communist Manifesto.
• 1880's - Young Marxists helped organise strikers in St. Petersburg. 
• 1898 - Social Democratic Labour Party was formed to unite Marxist groups.
• 1898 - Vladimir Lenin was exiled to Siberia for his activities.
• Many Marxists operated from outside Russia to avoid capture for printing and spreading of propaganda. 
• Lenin believed that rather than have a government suddenly overthrow the government, they needed a dedicated group of professionals to orchestrate a revolution (coup d' etat)
• In 1903, party splits into 2 groups 
• Bolsheviks - Majority followed Lenin
• Mensheviks - Majority followed Martov.

Paper 1 : Autocracy and Revolt in Russia, 1881 - 1914 : The Reign of Alexander III

Autocracy and Revolt in Russia, 1881 - 1914

The Reign of Alexander III





Points in blue represent the specification point according to Edexcel History.


Points written in red represents the main point.






The Reign of Alexander III

Became Tsar after Alexander II's assassination in 1881.
Cancels father's plans to introduce a representative assembly and had no intention to limiting his autocratic prowess.
During his reign, Russia was not involved in any wars.
Because of this, he was dubbed peacemaker of Russia.
He was much more conservative - he believed autocracy was better than democracy.
Reversed all of his father's reforms.
Impact of his father's death made him
- reverse his father's reforms, realised it did not work since his father was assassinated due to population discontent.
- blame the Jews for his father's assassination.
- believed that autocracy was better than democracy.


Main policies on...

All policies =

Impact of the assassination of Alexander II.

Alexander III, Pobedonostsev and reaction.

Restoration of autocracy, censorship, and the policy of Russification.





1. Autocracy

Tsar took repressive measures to uphold his autocratic rule.
Tsar passed the Temporary Regulations to deal with the "Will of The People."
populists, professional revolutionaries, supporter of political struggle against the autocratic rule.
Anybody who threatened public order were arrested by police. (harsh security measures)
As a result :
- It eliminates political opposition. (only a few revolutionaries remain)
- Terrorism and "Will of The People" died down.

In 1884, Tsar passed a new University Statue.
This statue abolished university autonomy and banned students' political activities.
Secondary schools were "advised" to give more attention to teaching of classical languages.
Raised tuition fees. This made is difficult for lower classes to obtain education.
Working class and peasant children were forbidden to study in secondary schools.
This meant that only the upper class could be educated further than the core education.
This would then expand the gap between the rich and the poor that already exists in Russia.
Increased Russia's illiteracy go up to 79%.
Severe restrictions and censorship of press.


Introduction of the "Land Commandants"
Had to be of the local nobility. - nobility overruled the zemstva.
Reduced urban assemblies.
They held a wide authority over the peasant communities.
"Justices of Peace" were transferred to them.
Exercised (omnipotent - meaning having unlimited powers.) administrative and judicial authority in the Russian countryside. (such as increasing tax for zemstva)
Local officials feared the Land Commandants because they could be dismissed by them.
Zemstva powers were limited. (due to fear and social hierarchy)
The Land Commandant encourages the idea of a social hierarchy. It represents the upper-class/nobilities as richer and of higher rank.
As a result :
- Peasant delegates and westernised intellectuals were reduced.
- Representation of nobles were increased.
- Land captains were automatically members of the zemstva.
- Zemstva decisions were subject to review by the provincial governors and the minister of the interior. (no authority)
- In 1892, the municipal government also raised property requirement in order to limit the right to vote of the radical intellectuals and the lower classes.


2. Russification

He believes strongly in Russian Orthodox Church. (believed that it was superior)
Russian Orthodox Church :
A christian denomination where it has slightly different beliefs from the Roman Catholic Church. Its leaders were appointed by the Tsar and it was preached that the Tsar was appointed by God.
The Jews :
Were used by scapegoats for the Polish rebellion of 1863.
Blamed for Alexander II assassination.
Hated because the religious beliefs they hold are too difficult to russify.
Jews were different which created suspicion.
This encouraged pogroms.
Pogroms = mob attacks that were semi-supported officially by the government.
Sometimes officials helped to initiate pogroms.
This encouraged people to go out and round up Jews for murder.
No Jews were allowed to settle in rural areas, even within the Pale Of Settlement.
Pale of Settlement = an area of the Russian empire in which Jews were invited to stay (Poland, Belarus)
Jews were forbidden to work on Christian Holy Days.
Quotas for Jews in schools and universities never rose above 10% even in heavily Jewish areas.
Russification angered a lot of people who had previously been loyal to the empire.
Zionist Movement began = A movement that began in Russia around 1897 with the aim to make homeland for the Jewish people is what is now Israel.
Jews formed revolutionary movement called the Bund.
Bund = Jewish socialist party found in Russia. It is a response to the anti-semitic policies.