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