Nicholas II: Political Instability & Famine

• Nicholas II's son had hemophilia, which was unknown to the Russian public.
• Nicholas II was an incompetent Tsar, and his policies were very similar to those of his predecessors.
• Russia was highly unstable during his rule, leading to the independence of Poland, the Baltics, and other regions.
• Russia experienced famine due to its backwarded agricultural development
• Nicholas II lacked leadership skills and was not open to any opposition.
• The Khodynka tragedy occurred during the rise of his power due to massive logistical issues.

Political Groupings (1905)

• After 1905, political parties gained some power, and a parliament emerged.
• Conservatives represented the privileged people of Russia.
• Liberals represented the middle classes and wanted Western-style political change, including a constitution, parliament, and limiting the Tsar’s power.
• Social Revolutionaries were a large political grouping that sought revolution in the peasant revolution style, inheriting Russian populist ideas and engaging in terrorism
• Social Democrats based their beliefs on Karl Marx that the proletariat would overthrow the rich, and despite having few members, they were very vocal
• In 1903, the Social Democrats split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks, leading to the rise of Lenin with the Bolsheviks.
• Class consciousness allows for revolutionary consciousness.
• There are differences between proletariat and bourgeoisie, and people's perceptions of the world will change.
• Marx offered a "heaven" or paradise
• There was an idea of going west to spread the revolution to other industrialized countries, with Germany seen as ready for revolution with Russia's push.
• Russia passed to Nicholas II in a seemingly good condition.
• Rural-urban problems grew, with the population doubling and tripling within 70 years due to a demographic boom.

Economic Factors

• Heavy taxation was imposed on workers with low wages, causing discontent.
• An International Economic Slump occurred in 1902.
• Bad harvests in 1900 and 1902 added to the burden on workers.

War With Japan

• Russia engaged in war with Japan to divert attention from internal problems.
• Russia did not want to be exploited like China by western powers.
• Japan was overpopulated and lacked resources, leading to expansion and rivalry with Russia.
• Advisors suggested that a quick, victorious war would unite the people, underestimating Japan's capabilities due to Russia's modern army, navy and the Trans-Siberian Railway.
• The Siege of Port Arthur required Russia to resupply its garrison.
• The UK denied Russia access through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal to weaken them.
• The Tsushima Strait disaster occurred.
• Port Arthur surrendered, putting Russia in a difficult position.
• A peace treaty was negotiated by Americans, resulting in Korea and Port Arthur falling into Japanese hands.
• The railway resupply was slow and ineffective due to its one-way design.
• Racial language was used to fuel nationalism, making the loss even more humiliating.

The Bloody Sunday (January 1905)

• Similar to the Crimean War, the Russo-Japanese War highlighted the need for change.
• Workers complained about appalling working conditions.
• Specific demands included employer-employee discussions, an 8-hour workday, wage agreements, abolishing overtime, increasing wages for unskilled workers and women to one ruble a day, providing medical care, building shops, electing a representative government (constituent assembly), and establishing a constitution.
• The workers respected the Tsar and viewed him as a father figure

Consequences of Bloody Sunday

• Bloody Sunday caused outrage and drew people from different walks of life.
• Strikes spread across Russia.
• Mutinies occurred in certain army units but weren't widespread.
• Soviets (councils of representatives) emerged, with the Petrograd Soviet being the largest.
• The situation in Russia became very dramatic for the Tsar and his court.

Stolypin's Response

• Stolypin was appointed as the new minister and adopted a "stick and carrot" approach, including brutal reactions and reforms.
• "Stolypin’s necktie" became a metaphor for hanging.
• Soviets were dispersed, and the army was used to suppress peasant riots.
• Most of the army remained loyal to the Tsar in 1905, unlike in 1917.

October Manifesto

• The Tsar promised fundamental civil freedoms, including freedom of speech, conscience, assembly, and association.
• Participation in the Duma was granted to classes previously deprived of voting powers.
• No law could come into force without the Duma's approval, limiting the autocracy.
• The manifesto aimed to unify the government and pacify the country.
• People from different walks of life united, driven by dissatisfaction and desire for change and reforms.
• "Divide and rule" tactics were employed.

Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom

• What was promised in 1905, was covered by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom
• The Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom asserted that the Emperor will remain autocratic( Sovereign Emperor) .
• In democracy the people are sovereign
• Dumas would exist, but laws required ratification by the Tsar to pass.
• The loyalty of troops in 1905 contrasted with their disloyalty in 1917 during different events.

Tsar Nicholas II's reign was marked by political instability, famine due to agricultural backwardness, and the Khodynka tragedy. His son's hemophilia was kept secret. Political groupings emerged after 1905, including Conservatives, Liberals seeking Western-style reforms, and Social Revolutionaries.