Challenges to the Tsar's Power in Russia (PDF)

**Challenges to the Tsar\'s power** From the late 19th century through to the outbreak of World War One in 1914, a series of threats to the Tsar\'s authority developed. At the end of the war these factors led to revolution and brought about the end of 300 years of Tsarist rule. The first major thr...

**Challenges to the Tsar\'s power** From the late 19th century through to the outbreak of World War One in 1914, a series of threats to the Tsar\'s authority developed. At the end of the war these factors led to revolution and brought about the end of 300 years of Tsarist rule. The first major threat came during the rule of Nicholas II in the form of the 1905 Revolution: - Strikes spread across the country and illegal trade unions were widespread. - Grand Duke Sergei, Nicholas II's uncle, was assassinated near the Kremlin in Moscow. - A mutiny broke out amongst the sailors on the battleship Potemkin. - There was a general strike in October. Wedding group of 19th century nobles **Nicholas II (standing, left) and Grand Duke Sergei (seated)** There are a number of long terms and short term causes of the 1905 Revolution. **The Russo Japanese War 1904 -- 1905** In 1904 war broke out between Russia and Japan. They were fighting for control over Korea and Manchuria. The war was a disaster for the Tsarist Empire. In January 1905 the Russian held port of Port Arthur surrendered. This led to a great deal of resentment about the way the war was being conducted. Further defeats at Mukden and Tsushima embarrassed the Russian population and led to demands for reform. This contributed to the unrest and discontent which was building within the Tsarist Empire. **Challenges from revolutionary groups** **Unpopular Tsarist policies** Many were unhappy with the political conditions in Russia: - Ethnic minorities were greatly oppressed by the policies of Russification - Jewish people were persecuted by state-sanctioned pogroms - The influence of Zemstvas (provincial governing bodies) was reduced - In 1900 officials criticizing the government were purged - Middle class industrialists were unhappy that they had no say in how the country was governed - Increased industrialization and urbanization had led to major social and economic problems for workers and peasants  The aftermath of a pogrom This discontent provided revolutionary groups with a bed of support that could potentially be used to create change. **Sources of opposition** **Liberals** The provincial Zemstvas were often highly critical of Tsarist policies. They cited famine and industrial stagnation as major problems that the government was responsible for. The lack of power they had to influence decision-making at a national level also frustrated them. They wanted the introduction of a state Duma (Parliament) which would advise the Tsar. The Union of Liberation was formed in St Petersburg in 1904 under the guidance of Liberal politician Peter Struve. The Union pushed for a constitutional monarchy with enfranchisement (the right to vote) for all men. **Radicals** Radical opposition groups often carried out political assassinations. The People's Will tried to assassinate Alexander III in 1887. Populism existed in the universities. The Narodnik socialist movement tried to persuade the peasants to rise against the Tsar and take power for themselves. **The development of Marxism** From the 1880s, Marxist ideas began to spread through Russia. Based on the theories of the German economist Karl Marx, they proposed that the proletariat - the underclass of society - would rise up in rebellion and seize power from the wealthy ruling class and establish a fairer society. **Social Revolutionaries** The Socialist Revolutionaries adopted a combination of Marxist and Populist beliefs. They wanted to overthrow the government in favor of giving power to the peasants. Although they were greatly uncoordinated in their efforts, they carried out approximately 2,000 political assassinations in the years leading up to the 1905 Revolution. **Social Democrats** Social Democrat beliefs were based on Marxism. They did not consider that the peasants would rise in revolution. They focused on agitation amongst the workers in the cities. The group split in 1903 after an ideological disagreement. The Mensheviks, led by Martov, wanted revolution by the workers to occur naturally. The Bolsheviks led by Lenin, believed revolution should come as soon as possible. Although not directly involved in the 1905 revolution, these revolutionary groups had been able to help spread strikes and protests throughout the Empire. **The 1905 revolution** In an attempt to quell economic discontent among the workers, Minister of the Interior Plehve had established a legal trade union in St Petersburg. Called the Assembly of Russian Factory and Mill Workers, it was led by a Russian Orthodox priest, Father Georgy Gapon. It was this organization that would, unwittingly, set the 1905 Revolution in motion. In late 1904, four union members at the Putilov Iron Works Plant in St Petersburg were dismissed. Gapon called for industrial action. Over the coming days over 100 thousand workers in the city went on strike. Although protests were peaceful, troops were brought in to support existing forces in the city. Father Gapon organized a petition complaining about working conditions in the city and calling for change. It was signed by over 150 thousand people. On 22 January 1905, Father Gapon led a march to deliver a petition to the Tsar. Thousands of workers took part in this peaceful protest. The workers were not trying to overthrow the Tsar. They believed that the Tsar did not know of their plight. Instead they blamed the Tsarist ministers and officials. This demonstration of factory workers was brutally put down by Russian soldiers. Up to 200 people were killed by rifle fire and Cossack charges. This event became known as Bloody Sunday and is seen as one of the key causes of the 1905 Revolution. The aftermath brought about a short-lived revolution in which the Tsar lost control of large areas of Russia. The revolution failed but it served as a serious warning of what might happen in the future. **Suppressing the 1905 Revolution** **Methods of suppression** The army had stayed loyal to the Tsar and was used to crush opposition in the cities. In December, Tsarist forces moved against workers who had formed Soviets (committees made up of workers and soldiers) in St Petersburg and Moscow. Fighting broke out between the army and strikers in Moscow. By the middle of the month, the army had suppressed the strike and killed over 1,000. The Union of Russian People was established to fight against the revolutionary groups. It had the power to arrest, sentence and execute those who committed crimes against the state. Terrorist groups such as the Black Hundreds were used to intimidate and attack those opposed to the Tsar. During the second Duma, the Okhrana arrested Bolshevik and Menshevik representatives who were attempting to develop opposition to the Tsarist state within the army. An uprising would have been potentially threatening for the Tsar - control of the army was essential in suppressing the revolution. **Impact on revolutionary groups** The Okhrana's exposure of Bolshevik revolutionary plans forced Lenin into exile in 1907. He would not return for 10 years. Show trials and summary executions had reduced membership of revolutionary groups from 100,000 to 10,000 by 1910. 'Stolypin's Neckties', the nickname for the hangman\'s noose, became infamous as a method of fear and oppression. However, revolutionary groups survived underground and continued to attract support. Revolutionaries managed to assassinate Stolypin in 1911. **Political concessions: The October Manifesto and the Fundamental Laws** **The October Manifesto** Sergei Witte was an influential policy maker. He persuaded the Tsar to pass his October Manifesto. Issued in 1905, it promised significant political reform, although most of these promises were open to interpretation: - A Duma (elected national parliament) was to be set up. No law was to be passed unless approved by the Duma. - Censorship would be loosened and more freedom of speech encouraged. - The people would have more rights to gather together for discussions and meetings **Reaction to the manifesto** Reaction from political groups was varied: - Liberals were satisfied with the level of reform in the Manifesto. - Kadet Liberals wanted reform to go further. They wanted a written constitution and guarantees of a constituent assembly. - The Social Revolutionaries (SRs) were critical of the Manifesto, as were the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. It did not give any more power to the peasants or workers. As a response to the 1905 Revolution, the October Manifesto succeeded in dividing the opposition, making the Tsar\'s grip on power more secure. **The new government** As a result of the October Manifesto and the promise of a constitutional monarchy, a new government structure was adopted. The Tsar remained as head of the government, but was aided by three permanent political bodies: - The Council of Ministers was the most powerful of these. It was effectively the Tsar\'s advisors, elected by and answerable only to him. They created law. - The State Council, chosen by both the Tsar and the Zemstva, approved law created by the Council of Ministers. - The Duma, voted for by the male electorate would also have to approve laws created. **The Fundamental Laws** Passed in April, 1906, the Fundamental Laws were an edict from the Tsar. They confirmed the October Manifesto but also asserting the Tsar's powers over the Duma: - the right to rule independently of the Duma when it was not in session - the right to dissolve (close) the Duma at any point - power to change the electoral system - power to appoint ministers he wanted to the Council - sole commander of the army and navy, giving him military power to crush any uprising With the Fundamental Laws, the Tsar regained his position as supreme leader. **The Dumas** Artist\'s impression of a packed parliamentary session The opening session of the first Duma Four Dumas were held between 1906 and 1914. The first two featured strong opposition to Tsarism and quickly dissolved. The next two were less radical and more flexible as a result of changes to the voting system. **The first Duma** The first Duma was established in May 1906, after the announcement of the Fundamental Laws. It consisted mainly of Kadets and SRs. Hence, it demanded further political reform, including land reform and the release of political prisoners. This was denied by the Tsar. It lasted for just over two months before it was dissolved for passing a vote of 'no confidence' in Prime Minister Ivan Goremykin. **The second Duma** The second Duma was established in February 1907. Following the dissolving of the first Duma, many Kadets were involved in writing the Vyborg Appeal. This criticised the government and demanded the non-payment of taxes. In response, these Kadets were made inelegible to vote. This greatly reduced the power of the Kadets. Liberal Octoberists (those who agreed with the October Manifesto) had more influence as did SRs, Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The second Duma lasted for five months. It was dissolved when members began promoting revolutionary organisations within the army. \ **Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin** **The third Duma** Established in 1907, this Duma was intended to be much more supportive of the Tsar. Arrangements had been made for landowners to have more voting power. This meant only the most affluent third of the population were able to vote in the election. The resulting Duma was less radical and more favourable to the government. Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin was able to pass considerable land reform. It lasted until mid-1912. **The fourth Duma** Established in November 1912, the fourth Duma comprised mainly Octoberists on one side and socialists on the other, this made decision-making increasingly difficult. Both groups found it impossible to unite in order to make progress. The Duma was suspended in 1915, by which time Russia was committed to fighting the Austrians and Germans in World War One. **Reforms of Stolypin** **Agrarian reforms** **Why was reform introduced?** Stolypin wanted to reform agriculture in order to modernize Russia and make it more competitive with other European powers. He hoped that reorganizing the land would increase support for the Tsar among unskilled farmhands. This would reduce the threat of the Social Revolutionaries. Stolypin believed the key to success was to increase the number of peasant landowners or Kulaks. Stolypin believed that they would be supporters of the Tsar. **What changed?** Redemption Payments (loans from the state) were abolished. Loans for peasants to buy land became available with the introduction of Peasants\' Land Banks. Mirs (communities of peasant farmers) could no longer stop individuals from leaving to buy private land. Mirs that did not cooperate were to be dissolved. Peasants were also given financial incentives to move to remote areas of Siberia in an attempt to open up the countryside. **What were the results of agrarian reform?** Agricultural output increased by a third, while peasant land ownership increased by 30 per cent. The number of Kulaks increased dramatically and they were increasingly supportive of the Tsar. However, Stolypin faced opposition from Conservative groups who opposed his plans. Furthermore his assassination in 1911 and the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 meant that his reforms did not receive the time he believed they needed to succeed. **Industrial progress** It was hoped that agrarian reform would reduce demand for labor in the countryside, hence increasing urbanization as people flooded into the towns and cities looking for work. **Increased output** Heavy industry increased considerably. The production of iron and steel rose by 50 per cent and by the outbreak of World War One, Russia was the fourth largest producer of steel, coal and iron. **Improved conditions** Cavalry police and large crowd of demonstators on a Russian street Protesters in St Petersburg demonstrate against the Lena massacre The formation of trade unions had been made legal in 1905. In 1912, safety inspectors were introduced into factories. Workers began to benefit from employee insurance schemes which provided protection against accidents and illness. However, a strike at the Lena gold fields in 1912 emphasized that there was still a great deal of discontent. Hundreds of the protesters were killed by army and police. It was clear that opposition to the Tsarist state was again on the increase.