Provisional Government was in a troubled position in the War, having no choice to fight on with a Cache 22 problem, financially. If it did not fight, it would not receive war credits and supplies which it relied on, but continuing the war and the Total War effort would eventually bankrupt Russia. This was unsustainable, and was a point of which made the Provisional Government unpopular.
Governmentally, the co-operation period between the Soviet and the PG came to a sharp end. The Soviet had announced the request for the end of war ‘without indemnities’. As we know this was not possible and the Foreign minister of the PG also said that ‘Russia would fight to the end’. April saw violent demonstrations against Milyukov, and this saw him resign along with the war minister. The pressures began to show within the inside. Kerensky, became the war minister, and SR’s/Mensheviks had places on the cabinet, hoping the shift would ease tensions between PG and Soviet, but instead these socialists became isolated from the soviet, and looked bad as compromising with the ‘bourgeoisie’
Some ministers had doubts about continuing war, but had no doubts about withdrawing. This would have mattered less, if the armies had been successful. Kerensky campaigned as a ‘struggle to save revolution’. He made trips to give speeches to troops, in which the war needed total dedication of the nation. Russia had gone beyond the point of fighting a successful war, and proof by a major assault in which the low morale combined with Bolshevik agitators, saw heavy losses. General Kornilov called to crush the Bolsheviks at home and halt offences. What followed next was the soviet creation at Kronstadt, and then the Revolutionaries saw a chance to overthrow the PG, known as the July Days
Summer's 'JULY DAYS' 1917, government seemed to no longer be in control of events, because of
- Spread of soviets
- Workers control of factories
- Peasant land seizure
- Ukraine creating its own minority government.
Kadet ministers resigned, after the PG offered Ukraine independence, arguing that only a Constituent assembly could decide such matters. Growing demonstrations over the war and the government’s problems coincided with this clash, which rose into a direct challenge. The challenge was confused and disorganised, with soviet members who did not wish to challenge found themselves physically attacked, and because of this disunity, the Provisional Government found it easy to crush the rising. It’s not clear who started the risings, and a month before at the first All-Russian Congress of Soviets, Lenin declared the Bolsheviks were ready to take power, as did the SR’s frequently urge taking the PG on. Trotsky however, blamed the Mensheviks and SR’s to hide Bolshevik failure, and had only come to the support of Kronstadt.
Consequences, displayed that opposition was disunited, the Bolsheviks were not the dominant party, and the Provisional Government still had the power to put down insurrection. Kerensky soon after became prime minister, and persisted to arrest Bolsheviks. Lenin fled to Finland. Kerensky issued Propaganda calling the Bolsheviks traitors.
The Provisional government had not only failed to grasp the war problems, but it did so with the land question too. Land Shortage was still a huge problem, and was the main cause for peasantry unrest. The Feb revolution led the peasants to believe they would soon benefit from land redistribution. When this didn't happen, like the 1905 revolution, they took the land of landlords and estates. This was a daily occurance. The government had no answer to this, and the Land commission did little to redistribute the estates (which it had gained) and the members of the government who had their own land were not really willing to let go of it, linking to the April Thesis of which this was just the old Bourgeois Duma. The bolsheviks, who started to gain support in the soviets, also had no Policy but Lenin saw the 'backward masses', 80% of the population to be a useful and truely revolutionary force. He stole the SR slogan 'Land to the Peasants' and this made them mainly Pro-bolshevik in the countryside. This also split the SR's who joined the bolsheviks, known as the SR's
The Kornilov Affair
Kerensky’s government, became involved in which undermined the government and its gains from the July days. General Commander-in-Chief Kornilov, was a right wing army officer who believed fully in defeating Germany, but must firstly destroy the ‘German supporters’, Lenin and the Bolsheviks. When Russia’s Petrograd found itself under german invasion threats, Kornilov declared that Russia would fall to anarchy, and that the Bolsh would take over. He informed Kerensky that he intended to bring his troops to save the Provisional Government. Kornilov intended to actually take over the PG and rule under military control, and Kerensky removed his support, and condemned Kornilov who replied that they must destroy the Bolshevik/Soviet controls.
Kerensky, called upon Petrograd’s loyal citizens to take up arms and defend the cities. The Bolsheviks were released from prison and given arms. As it so happened, Kornilov never made it to Petrograd due to Railway strike. The Bolsheviks found themselves with arms, and released from prison and being seen as ready to be the defenders of Petrograd. The Bolsheviks also saw the readiness of the people to defend Petrograd, a sign that they were not confident within the PG.
SUMMARY
THE WAR
'cache 22 situation, obliged to the war in order to maintain war credits.
Caused rift between Soviet/Provisional government - sending mixed messages out
Inflation, lack of food and resources
Kerensky rallies for the War
___________
Kadet ministers resigning over the UKRAINE seperation led to the JULY DAYS, as this coincided with War protests. July days was crushed as opposition was disunited and nearly saw the end of the Bolsheviks, and PG could still crush.
_________
Land question- Provisional government not willing to redistribute land, Bolsheviks stole their support in countryside using SR slogan
______
July days gains lost, due to Kornilov affair who wanted to destroy soviets/Bolsheviks- but also taking military rule over petrograd.
This meant releasing bolsh from prison/giving arms for them to support petrograd. Bolsh became 'saviours' and the willingness of the help proved people did not have faith.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Political Co-operation and the Return of the Bolsheviks
The Provisional Government, was basically the old duma, 'Appointed by the Revolution Itself' This exposed two weaknesses, they were not elected and would be judged purely on performance and its Authority was limited by the Petrograd Soviet, however at first there was considerable co-operation.
The Petrograd Soviet, regarded its role as supervisory, checking that Soldiers and Workers needs were recognised by new Provisional Government. The new government often did not know its authority, and sometimes the Soviet would have more power in certain issues. They were not opposed to the new government as they became in the later years due to the Bolsheviks return. Soviet Order 1 displays their importance over the PG, ' Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's'. Military affairs only applied if the Soviet Agreed. A general rule is, if a government does not control the Army, it does not control the country.
People became genuinely happy over the next few weeks, and co-operation was easiest at this time. A willingness to maintain the state occured, with Moderate Socialists in control of the Soviet, and all parties maintained the PG. A number of progressive reforms were the result.
- Amnesty for political prisoners
- Trade Unions Legalised
- Eight Hour Day
- Police 'peoples militia'
- Full Civil and Religious freedom
- Election of Constituent Assembly
THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN
The Bolsheviks learned of the Tsar's abdication and rushed back to Petrograd. Stalin and Kamenev were first to return, and became the Leading voices. Lenin directed, in letters by saying war should be turned into a class war, with Bolsh infiltrating the Armies. Stalin and Kamenev however, ignored and pushed for End-war negotiations, and put pressure of the PG to start negotiations. Kamenev 'Co-operation was essential', and even considered linking with the Bolsheviks with the Mensheviks. Stalin simply went along with this.
Lenin returned in april, smuggled in by a german train who wanted Lenin to start a revolution and therefore, Russia pulling out of the War. Lenin's opponents accused him of being a German spy because of this, and the German Foreign Office giving financial support gave weight to this claim. It just so happens, germany wanted what Lenin wanted, Withdrawing the army from the war. Lenin's return, changed all co-operation, he declared that the events so far had lead to a 'Parliamentary Bourgeois Republic' simply the new government was the old duma with bourgeois tendancies.
The following day saw the April Thesis. The Bolsheviks expected to be praised, but found themselves criticised, this was new policy
- Abandon co-operation with others
- work for true revolution
- Overthrow PG, simply the old duma
- Struggle for power to the workers
- Demand authority to the soviets.
Lenin saw soviets as powerbase, a post-tsar construction and a place to influence the proletariat. If they could take the soviets, they could take the state. He came up with two slogans, 'Peace Bread and Land' and 'All Power to the Soviets'. Lenin basically confronted all problems, The war with Germany, The food shortage and the countryside disruption. Lenin said they would not be fixed with the PG in office, who 'profited from war'
SUMMARY
PG basically the old Duma - Judged purely on performance
Considerable co-operation between 'Duma' and Soviet
SOVIET - made sure workers/soldiers got treated
often the more dominant half with certain issues
SOVIET ORDER NO.1 'Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's' The Soviets had military control.
PG REFORMS - Amnesty for prisoners, Election of Assembly, People's militia
THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN. Stalin and Kamenev, first. Believed in co-operation and possible reconnection with the mensheviks. Lenin sent letters urging class war within the war. Lenin returned on a german train who wanted him to kick start a revolution so Russia pull from the war. Speculation from Ger Foreign office suggests Lenin was a spy, he and germany had the common aim around the war. Lenin condemned co-operation and called the PG as the 'old duma'
APRIL THESIS - 'Push for Revolution, Condemn co-operation, struggle for power to Proletariat, overthrow the PG, All power to the Soviets'
Soviets seen as the powerbase.
Peace, Bread and Land
All Power to the Soviet slogans.
The Petrograd Soviet, regarded its role as supervisory, checking that Soldiers and Workers needs were recognised by new Provisional Government. The new government often did not know its authority, and sometimes the Soviet would have more power in certain issues. They were not opposed to the new government as they became in the later years due to the Bolsheviks return. Soviet Order 1 displays their importance over the PG, ' Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's'. Military affairs only applied if the Soviet Agreed. A general rule is, if a government does not control the Army, it does not control the country.
People became genuinely happy over the next few weeks, and co-operation was easiest at this time. A willingness to maintain the state occured, with Moderate Socialists in control of the Soviet, and all parties maintained the PG. A number of progressive reforms were the result.
- Amnesty for political prisoners
- Trade Unions Legalised
- Eight Hour Day
- Police 'peoples militia'
- Full Civil and Religious freedom
- Election of Constituent Assembly
THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN
The Bolsheviks learned of the Tsar's abdication and rushed back to Petrograd. Stalin and Kamenev were first to return, and became the Leading voices. Lenin directed, in letters by saying war should be turned into a class war, with Bolsh infiltrating the Armies. Stalin and Kamenev however, ignored and pushed for End-war negotiations, and put pressure of the PG to start negotiations. Kamenev 'Co-operation was essential', and even considered linking with the Bolsheviks with the Mensheviks. Stalin simply went along with this.
Lenin returned in april, smuggled in by a german train who wanted Lenin to start a revolution and therefore, Russia pulling out of the War. Lenin's opponents accused him of being a German spy because of this, and the German Foreign Office giving financial support gave weight to this claim. It just so happens, germany wanted what Lenin wanted, Withdrawing the army from the war. Lenin's return, changed all co-operation, he declared that the events so far had lead to a 'Parliamentary Bourgeois Republic' simply the new government was the old duma with bourgeois tendancies.
The following day saw the April Thesis. The Bolsheviks expected to be praised, but found themselves criticised, this was new policy
- Abandon co-operation with others
- work for true revolution
- Overthrow PG, simply the old duma
- Struggle for power to the workers
- Demand authority to the soviets.
Lenin saw soviets as powerbase, a post-tsar construction and a place to influence the proletariat. If they could take the soviets, they could take the state. He came up with two slogans, 'Peace Bread and Land' and 'All Power to the Soviets'. Lenin basically confronted all problems, The war with Germany, The food shortage and the countryside disruption. Lenin said they would not be fixed with the PG in office, who 'profited from war'
SUMMARY
PG basically the old Duma - Judged purely on performance
Considerable co-operation between 'Duma' and Soviet
SOVIET - made sure workers/soldiers got treated
often the more dominant half with certain issues
SOVIET ORDER NO.1 'Orders of military commission are to be obeyed only in instances when they do not contradict Soviet decree's' The Soviets had military control.
PG REFORMS - Amnesty for prisoners, Election of Assembly, People's militia
THE BOLSHEVIKS RETURN. Stalin and Kamenev, first. Believed in co-operation and possible reconnection with the mensheviks. Lenin sent letters urging class war within the war. Lenin returned on a german train who wanted him to kick start a revolution so Russia pull from the war. Speculation from Ger Foreign office suggests Lenin was a spy, he and germany had the common aim around the war. Lenin condemned co-operation and called the PG as the 'old duma'
APRIL THESIS - 'Push for Revolution, Condemn co-operation, struggle for power to Proletariat, overthrow the PG, All power to the Soviets'
Soviets seen as the powerbase.
Peace, Bread and Land
All Power to the Soviet slogans.
Friday, 24 April 2009
February Revolution 1917
February Revolution 1917
The rising that came, was not the first open move against the tsarist government as the octobrists in the duma demanded for the removal of generals and ministers. However the Feb 1917 revolution was different in speed and the range of opposition, with rumors of serious disturbances in Petrograd widespread since January.
‘Hostile peasants, not only against government', but all other social groups, proletariat on the verge of despair and workers are ready to go on a hunger riot, if directed by revolutionaries the government could be overthrown’
Rodzianko warned the Tsar of very serious outbreaks of unrest with ‘not one honourable man left’ in the tsar’s ministry and that all good ministers had the decency to leave or had been dismissed. A full scale strike started on Feb 18th at the largest steel works in Petrograd, Putilov. The next five days saw them being joined by growing numbers of people angered by a further cut in bread supplies, a bread riot. These were rumors, but people believed and continued. The 23rd of February coincided with International Women’s day, and so thousands of women joined the protesters on the street to demand for more food and an end to the war. The police grew in sympathy and trying to stop the riot was next to impossible. There was great confusion from the top, as the political outcries were cut up in the demand for food/war ending message.
The Tsar relied on news largely from letters.
Nicholas ordered the General Khabalov to restore order, and he replied that various army units and the police were fighting each other, a wide scale mutiny due to growing sympathy, by 26th Feb., 150,000 troops had deserted, and the other sent troops also deserted. Rodzianko informed the tsar, the only way to preserve his rule is to make a major concession, Nicholas once again shown how out of touch he was with the Russian Government and dissolved the Duma. A group of twelve of the previous duma formed together to create a Provision Committee, the first political defiance against the tsar. Alexander Kerensky of the committee called for the Tsar to stand down.
On the exact same day, another event happened as a constitutional defiance against the Tsar. This was the first meeting of the Petrograd soviet of soldiers, sailors and workers deputies. The Mensheviks pushed the soviet forward. These two bodies, became the de facto government of Russia, and the soviet would be elected by universal suffrage to summon a constituent assembly.
The remaining ministers, used the idea of electricity failure to abandon their offices, and slipped out of the capital. Rodzianko, who was still loyal, recommended personal abdication to save the monarchy. Nicholas decided to return to Petrograd as his presence would have a ‘calming effect’ but this was impossible as his train was intercepted and diverted to Pskov, The generals met the tsar to inform him returning would be impossible, and that abdication was necessary. The Provisional Committee found itself governing Russia.
The character shows, that when the problem arises, it was the politicians unwillingness to do anything and the generals lack of direction which caused tsarism to collapse. The revolutionary pressure just exposed the weakness of the government officials. The Bolsheviks played no part As they were in exile and took Lenin by surprise who did not expect to see it in his lifetime.
Petrograd, was the only real place that it occurred, and Russia was willing to accept it, Trotsky ‘ the rest of the country adhered, with no one willing to fight for the Tsar, any institutions, governors, military units or parties (octobrists spoke out)’. 1500-2000 people were killed. It was the Tsars most loyal supporters where the rejection started, The high ranking officers said he should step down, as did the Dumas’ aristocratic members and his ministers who abdicated too. The Police refused to try and keep order for him as did Khabalov. The Striking was not the only problem, it was the lack of nerve from the top that caused it to be a revolution, and tsarism gave up its will.
SUMMARY
General unrest all year round in Petrograd, just never took a lead, the Revolution began as a challenge due to the aristocratic Duma members forming the PG and the flight of the ministers.
Strikes in major factories lead to the Bread Riot after the rationing of bread rumour and international women’s day all coincided on one day. Disorder spreads, and Police and garrison troops cannot control situation and begin to mutiny. 12 duma members form the provision committee, and the Mensheviks form the Petrograd Soviet. Nicholas tried to return but was prevented, and so army command suggests abdication. Dual authority is de facto.
This was a revolution from above, the first aristocratic members of the duma calling for his abdication, the military general’s reaction to not act and the flight of his ministers.
Bolsheviks played no part, whilst the Mensheviks set up the Petrograd soviet.
The 1905 revolution was managed as Tsarist held its nerve and control of its troops, the Feb 1917 revolution was where both of these area’s were lost. Revolution in one city, it was the countries initiative and willingness to accept. Everybody lost faith in Tsarism, and institutional crisis.
Why did the February Revolution Happen? SUMMARY
THE TSARIST SYSTEM WAS WEAK BECAUSE OF:
Socially: Too big of a country to rule, with many nationalities wanting independence. The defeat in the Russo Japanese War made the Tsar look very bad, lack of education and poor conditions etc.
Politically: Repressive autocracy could only go so far, Nicholas completely lacking vision of Russian people. Rasputin final straw in undermining
Economy: Bad Economy, limited modernisation and 82% Peasantry. Witte/Stolypin’s work was removed by limited visions of the tsar
OVERALL: 1905 revolution displayed that as long as Russian Tsarist system held its nerve and the military, they would survive. However, WAR put huge strains on all of the previous problems, and exposed the problems displayed by the 1905 revolution once again.
THE REVOLUTION HAPPENED BECAUSE OF
World War One created Economic and Social Problems –
-Economical Strain, Lack of Food,
- Dire conditions and Overall lack of Morale
- Tsar responsible for all of this above
Political – Loss of nerve and unwillingness of the Top (Octobrists in Duma, Generals, Police/Troops forces, and Flight of Ministers)
The rising that came, was not the first open move against the tsarist government as the octobrists in the duma demanded for the removal of generals and ministers. However the Feb 1917 revolution was different in speed and the range of opposition, with rumors of serious disturbances in Petrograd widespread since January.
‘Hostile peasants, not only against government', but all other social groups, proletariat on the verge of despair and workers are ready to go on a hunger riot, if directed by revolutionaries the government could be overthrown’
Rodzianko warned the Tsar of very serious outbreaks of unrest with ‘not one honourable man left’ in the tsar’s ministry and that all good ministers had the decency to leave or had been dismissed. A full scale strike started on Feb 18th at the largest steel works in Petrograd, Putilov. The next five days saw them being joined by growing numbers of people angered by a further cut in bread supplies, a bread riot. These were rumors, but people believed and continued. The 23rd of February coincided with International Women’s day, and so thousands of women joined the protesters on the street to demand for more food and an end to the war. The police grew in sympathy and trying to stop the riot was next to impossible. There was great confusion from the top, as the political outcries were cut up in the demand for food/war ending message.
The Tsar relied on news largely from letters.
Nicholas ordered the General Khabalov to restore order, and he replied that various army units and the police were fighting each other, a wide scale mutiny due to growing sympathy, by 26th Feb., 150,000 troops had deserted, and the other sent troops also deserted. Rodzianko informed the tsar, the only way to preserve his rule is to make a major concession, Nicholas once again shown how out of touch he was with the Russian Government and dissolved the Duma. A group of twelve of the previous duma formed together to create a Provision Committee, the first political defiance against the tsar. Alexander Kerensky of the committee called for the Tsar to stand down.
On the exact same day, another event happened as a constitutional defiance against the Tsar. This was the first meeting of the Petrograd soviet of soldiers, sailors and workers deputies. The Mensheviks pushed the soviet forward. These two bodies, became the de facto government of Russia, and the soviet would be elected by universal suffrage to summon a constituent assembly.
The remaining ministers, used the idea of electricity failure to abandon their offices, and slipped out of the capital. Rodzianko, who was still loyal, recommended personal abdication to save the monarchy. Nicholas decided to return to Petrograd as his presence would have a ‘calming effect’ but this was impossible as his train was intercepted and diverted to Pskov, The generals met the tsar to inform him returning would be impossible, and that abdication was necessary. The Provisional Committee found itself governing Russia.
The character shows, that when the problem arises, it was the politicians unwillingness to do anything and the generals lack of direction which caused tsarism to collapse. The revolutionary pressure just exposed the weakness of the government officials. The Bolsheviks played no part As they were in exile and took Lenin by surprise who did not expect to see it in his lifetime.
Petrograd, was the only real place that it occurred, and Russia was willing to accept it, Trotsky ‘ the rest of the country adhered, with no one willing to fight for the Tsar, any institutions, governors, military units or parties (octobrists spoke out)’. 1500-2000 people were killed. It was the Tsars most loyal supporters where the rejection started, The high ranking officers said he should step down, as did the Dumas’ aristocratic members and his ministers who abdicated too. The Police refused to try and keep order for him as did Khabalov. The Striking was not the only problem, it was the lack of nerve from the top that caused it to be a revolution, and tsarism gave up its will.
SUMMARY
General unrest all year round in Petrograd, just never took a lead, the Revolution began as a challenge due to the aristocratic Duma members forming the PG and the flight of the ministers.
Strikes in major factories lead to the Bread Riot after the rationing of bread rumour and international women’s day all coincided on one day. Disorder spreads, and Police and garrison troops cannot control situation and begin to mutiny. 12 duma members form the provision committee, and the Mensheviks form the Petrograd Soviet. Nicholas tried to return but was prevented, and so army command suggests abdication. Dual authority is de facto.
This was a revolution from above, the first aristocratic members of the duma calling for his abdication, the military general’s reaction to not act and the flight of his ministers.
Bolsheviks played no part, whilst the Mensheviks set up the Petrograd soviet.
The 1905 revolution was managed as Tsarist held its nerve and control of its troops, the Feb 1917 revolution was where both of these area’s were lost. Revolution in one city, it was the countries initiative and willingness to accept. Everybody lost faith in Tsarism, and institutional crisis.
Why did the February Revolution Happen? SUMMARY
THE TSARIST SYSTEM WAS WEAK BECAUSE OF:
Socially: Too big of a country to rule, with many nationalities wanting independence. The defeat in the Russo Japanese War made the Tsar look very bad, lack of education and poor conditions etc.
Politically: Repressive autocracy could only go so far, Nicholas completely lacking vision of Russian people. Rasputin final straw in undermining
Economy: Bad Economy, limited modernisation and 82% Peasantry. Witte/Stolypin’s work was removed by limited visions of the tsar
OVERALL: 1905 revolution displayed that as long as Russian Tsarist system held its nerve and the military, they would survive. However, WAR put huge strains on all of the previous problems, and exposed the problems displayed by the 1905 revolution once again.
THE REVOLUTION HAPPENED BECAUSE OF
World War One created Economic and Social Problems –
-Economical Strain, Lack of Food,
- Dire conditions and Overall lack of Morale
- Tsar responsible for all of this above
Political – Loss of nerve and unwillingness of the Top (Octobrists in Duma, Generals, Police/Troops forces, and Flight of Ministers)
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Rasputin
The Role of Rasputin
The growing unpopularity and hatred of the tsarist system came to be focused upon Rasputin whilst Nicholas II was at war. The way in which he came to be significant outlines the problems in the government. Rasputin was a holy man of the Orthodox Church, known for his sexual depravity, and women threw themselves at him. Many women in St.Petersburg, such as the wives of courtiers had boasted about sleeping with him, with his dirty clothes and reluctance to wash as adding to the ‘bit of rough’ appearance. This made him hated in the Russian courts as outraged husbands and officials detested the fact that he was invited to the royal court. But he had royal favor, as he had met with Tsarina Alexandra, who was desperate to cure her son of haemophilia. Rasputin was known for his ‘healing powers’ and he was actually able to help Alexander by simple psychological techniques rather than other doctors.
Alexandra was very grateful, and made Rasputin her confidant, which was scandalous. Her German nationality made her unpopular during the war. Nicholas who was away at military headquarters for long periods, effectively put Alexandra in charge of the entire country and this also meant Rasputin had imput as her confidant. Even the most loyal of Tsarist supported detested that a possible german ‘spy’ and a monk of the orthodox could run the country in such times of crisis.Rodzianko of the Duma warned the Tsar of Rasputin’s presence as it threatened disaster ‘ Rasputin’s presence undermines the confidence in the supreme power and turn the hearts away from their emperor. Rasputin was allowed to interfere with direct policy and could sack people at will but the tsar ignored and the government in disrepute began to think about action.
Dec 1916, aristocratic conspirators murdered Rasputin, poisoned, then shot at point black range, battered over the head with a steel bar, then wrapped in a curtain and thrown into the River Neva. He does however deserve credit for his reorganization of the Russian medical supplies system, and shown administrative skills Russia needed, which the aristocratic in the government lacked. Rasputin’s death could never of stopped the downfall of the Tsar
SUMMARY
Rasputin known for his womanizing made him very unpopular in the Russian royal court.
In the royal court he was hated, by officials. Alexandra made him his confidant because of his help towards her son.
Rodzianko warned that is made tsarism look awful, ‘german spy and mad monk’ Rasputin shown administrative skills which most lacked, reformed the medical supplies system
Was the focal point of hatred up to this point especially with the war.
The growing unpopularity and hatred of the tsarist system came to be focused upon Rasputin whilst Nicholas II was at war. The way in which he came to be significant outlines the problems in the government. Rasputin was a holy man of the Orthodox Church, known for his sexual depravity, and women threw themselves at him. Many women in St.Petersburg, such as the wives of courtiers had boasted about sleeping with him, with his dirty clothes and reluctance to wash as adding to the ‘bit of rough’ appearance. This made him hated in the Russian courts as outraged husbands and officials detested the fact that he was invited to the royal court. But he had royal favor, as he had met with Tsarina Alexandra, who was desperate to cure her son of haemophilia. Rasputin was known for his ‘healing powers’ and he was actually able to help Alexander by simple psychological techniques rather than other doctors.
Alexandra was very grateful, and made Rasputin her confidant, which was scandalous. Her German nationality made her unpopular during the war. Nicholas who was away at military headquarters for long periods, effectively put Alexandra in charge of the entire country and this also meant Rasputin had imput as her confidant. Even the most loyal of Tsarist supported detested that a possible german ‘spy’ and a monk of the orthodox could run the country in such times of crisis.Rodzianko of the Duma warned the Tsar of Rasputin’s presence as it threatened disaster ‘ Rasputin’s presence undermines the confidence in the supreme power and turn the hearts away from their emperor. Rasputin was allowed to interfere with direct policy and could sack people at will but the tsar ignored and the government in disrepute began to think about action.
Dec 1916, aristocratic conspirators murdered Rasputin, poisoned, then shot at point black range, battered over the head with a steel bar, then wrapped in a curtain and thrown into the River Neva. He does however deserve credit for his reorganization of the Russian medical supplies system, and shown administrative skills Russia needed, which the aristocratic in the government lacked. Rasputin’s death could never of stopped the downfall of the Tsar
SUMMARY
Rasputin known for his womanizing made him very unpopular in the Russian royal court.
In the royal court he was hated, by officials. Alexandra made him his confidant because of his help towards her son.
Rodzianko warned that is made tsarism look awful, ‘german spy and mad monk’ Rasputin shown administrative skills which most lacked, reformed the medical supplies system
Was the focal point of hatred up to this point especially with the war.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Russia's problems in the First World War
Russian Problems at War.
The war of 1914 interrupted the work of the duma, and Russia faced severe problems. Russia’s decline was due to its economy rather than its military, with three years of total war being too much of a strain, and Russia which was already weak, was put under intense pressure. Russia like many of the six empires of Germany, Austria, Turkey and itself, collapsed due to the war. The impact of war can be put uunder six headings of Inflation, Food, Transportation, the Army, Morale and the role of the Tsar
Inflation set in because of the war. Witte’s policy had stablised the finanical areas of Russia and it had huge gold reserves. Government spending increased from 4 million roubles to 30 million and heavy taxes/foreign loans did not cut the bill. Gold standard was then abandoned, and inflation set in to allow wages to be paid. However earnings doubled whilst prices quadrupled.
Food Supplies, the requisitioning of fertilisers for the military made the peasant farmers struggle, and it did take years to set in however. Part of the shortage of food was because peasants started to hoard their stock as it was no longer profitable due to inflation. Hunger went on to famine, and the military took most of the available food and transport too which was vital in transporting food.
Transport was the major cause of war-time shortages, and the increase in railways was simply not suistained. The massive pressure upon the trains put by the military led to mass blocked lines and trains stranded by engine failure and signalling. The Russian railways essentially collapsed. Food rotted on trains that had broke down, partially causing the shortages, and Moscow/Petrograd only received a third of their regular food by 1916.
Russia put fewer than half the amount of troops out in the war on comparison to its population than any other nation. However, the strength in numbers was undermined as it lacked equipment, not due to under spending but poor administration and distribution of the equipment. The President of the Duma, Rodzianko complained that this had dismal effects, such as hospitals were 10’s of miles away from the soldiers, and lacked the equipment to treat people, with soldiers being bare-footed
Rodzianko believed that strong central leadership was needed in order to be organised but the tsar did not provide. The Tsar then faced criticisms, as he had formally taken control over the armed services, intentionally to rally the country around him but this was a risky business if the war was being fought badly.
Morale had arrived at an all-time low, as food shortages, bad transport and bad news from the war mounted such as the appalling casualty list, and mutinies also began, though on a similar scale to that of other countries.
SUMMARY
Total war, huge strain on Russia socially, politically and economically
INFLATION – wages doubled but prices quadrupled.
FOOD SUPPLIES – lack of fertiliser and claiming of food by the army, hoarding by peasants and mostly the broken transport led to famine
TRANSPORT – Broken and abandoned, food not delivered and struggled under weight of military
ARMY – Fought well and valiantly, but let down by the administration and distribution of equipment and hospital beacons in conjunction to positions
TSAR- Nicholas II fault if war was going badly, and it was.
MORALE – once high, now low due to inflation, famine, casualty list and transport set in a low point for Russia.
The war of 1914 interrupted the work of the duma, and Russia faced severe problems. Russia’s decline was due to its economy rather than its military, with three years of total war being too much of a strain, and Russia which was already weak, was put under intense pressure. Russia like many of the six empires of Germany, Austria, Turkey and itself, collapsed due to the war. The impact of war can be put uunder six headings of Inflation, Food, Transportation, the Army, Morale and the role of the Tsar
Inflation set in because of the war. Witte’s policy had stablised the finanical areas of Russia and it had huge gold reserves. Government spending increased from 4 million roubles to 30 million and heavy taxes/foreign loans did not cut the bill. Gold standard was then abandoned, and inflation set in to allow wages to be paid. However earnings doubled whilst prices quadrupled.
Food Supplies, the requisitioning of fertilisers for the military made the peasant farmers struggle, and it did take years to set in however. Part of the shortage of food was because peasants started to hoard their stock as it was no longer profitable due to inflation. Hunger went on to famine, and the military took most of the available food and transport too which was vital in transporting food.
Transport was the major cause of war-time shortages, and the increase in railways was simply not suistained. The massive pressure upon the trains put by the military led to mass blocked lines and trains stranded by engine failure and signalling. The Russian railways essentially collapsed. Food rotted on trains that had broke down, partially causing the shortages, and Moscow/Petrograd only received a third of their regular food by 1916.
Russia put fewer than half the amount of troops out in the war on comparison to its population than any other nation. However, the strength in numbers was undermined as it lacked equipment, not due to under spending but poor administration and distribution of the equipment. The President of the Duma, Rodzianko complained that this had dismal effects, such as hospitals were 10’s of miles away from the soldiers, and lacked the equipment to treat people, with soldiers being bare-footed
Rodzianko believed that strong central leadership was needed in order to be organised but the tsar did not provide. The Tsar then faced criticisms, as he had formally taken control over the armed services, intentionally to rally the country around him but this was a risky business if the war was being fought badly.
Morale had arrived at an all-time low, as food shortages, bad transport and bad news from the war mounted such as the appalling casualty list, and mutinies also began, though on a similar scale to that of other countries.
SUMMARY
Total war, huge strain on Russia socially, politically and economically
INFLATION – wages doubled but prices quadrupled.
FOOD SUPPLIES – lack of fertiliser and claiming of food by the army, hoarding by peasants and mostly the broken transport led to famine
TRANSPORT – Broken and abandoned, food not delivered and struggled under weight of military
ARMY – Fought well and valiantly, but let down by the administration and distribution of equipment and hospital beacons in conjunction to positions
TSAR- Nicholas II fault if war was going badly, and it was.
MORALE – once high, now low due to inflation, famine, casualty list and transport set in a low point for Russia.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Land Reform, Economy after Witte and the Four Dumas
Stolypin like Witte wanted to strengthen the Tsarist rule. He used the phrase, suppression, and only then, reformation, but he also believed in reformation to solve serious bitter social issues. He also believed in industrial process, but that the nation needed to be fed, this meant agriculture. The Rural crisis was basically the overpopulation of the countryside (82% peasants) and so a shortage in land, and so a series of bad harvests set (poor weather + land) set of terrible famines. Stolypin immediately after the 1905 revolution set about reformation of the land.
He first, ‘de-revolutionised the peasantry’ and pretty much introduced that all outstanding payments would eventually be cancelled outright. The mortgage due to emancipation had impoverished the peasants and was the reason for their inclusion in the revolution. Secondly, was the ‘Wager on the Strong’, which was a continuation of his successful peasantry decision. Farmers were told to replace the strip system with fenced fields. He opened a land bank, to provide funds for the peasant to buy land. This was called wager on the strong, to create a layer of rich and strong peasants which would turn the massive population as tsarist supporters.
Whether this was successful is debatable, as Russian peasantry were so conservative it prevented them from embracing reformist change and there was doubt about replacing the strip system. However, it did create a layer of strong peasants, with proof from tax returns, a significant minority paying higher tax. It is also true that land reform needs time to work, 20 years plus, but the war of 1914 only allowed eight. Figures that support success are new independent farms, 1907 – 48,500, 1908 – 508,500 though by 1913 the policy was clear to be losing steam, 1913 -134,554 as the ministry of agriculture saw the conservatism a problem.
SUMMARY
-Terrible Famines due to poor land, overcrowding, mass peasantry and bad harvests.
'De-revolutionised the peasantry' - Ruled out emancipation decree mortgage.
'Wager on the strong' Land bank + replace strips, for rich peasants to be Tsar supporters
DEBATE
- Land reform needed time to work, interrupted by WW1.
- Huge conservatism in peasantry, unlikely to convert from strip farming
- did create layer of strong peasants
- Eventually started to lose steam
THE ECONOMY AFTER SERGEI WITTE
The economy improvement has simply not been the work of just Witte, it was a worldwide boom, but by this point, industrial recession set in. This was difficult for Russia, as the boom meant huge migration to the cities and as it was not organised or managed, acute overcrowding was a problem. Originally these peasants who migrated to become workers, accepted their grim conditions because of increased pay, but when the boom ended, this turned to unemployment, who became homeless and had their hopes of a better life completely ruined. This was a contributing factor to the social unrest 1900-1907. The number of strikes also began to increase from as low as 222 in 1908 to 3000 in 1914
However figures show that the number of factories increased by 2000, state revenue had doubled and workers had increased by almost half a million over the period of recession 1908-1913. Few workers really gained from the expansion however, and the wage of workers barely increased although inflation did.
The key question is how strong the Russian economy had become by 1914, and evidence suggests that if WW1 never intervened, the Russian economy would have continued to develop and industrialise into a comparable size of the other great nations, using the figures of growth and expansion. It can be argued that Russia would never have reached this stage, as at 1914 80% were still peasantry and undermines the industrial development.
Alex Nove, on the subject says that there are convincing arguments on either side, ‘if growth rates for industry and agriculture were projected over 50 years, there is no doubt that they would lead decent lives, however this involves necessary adjustments to manage the state by the Tsar to account for the changing society’, simply that the Russian economy would of continued to grow, but the tsar would have to make reasonable and rational reformation to use the money for the gain of the country, and that this most certainly would not be the case. Still, it is impossible to tell as WW1 intervened. Nove uses the phrase ‘There must surely be a limit to the game of what-might-have-been’
SUMMARY
Worldwide economic improvement
- Migration of peasants to cities to work,
- Ended boom saw acute overcrowding- growing population not managed.
- Peasants hopes of new life dashed, leading to social unrest, more strikes towards 1914
Expansion
- state revenue doubled to 4Bil
- 2000 more factories
- Workforce increase by 400,000
- Wages however DID NOT INCREASE whilst INFLATION did
Debate
- Russian economy would of continued to expand if not for WW1
- Argued that 80% peasantry undermined this
Nove
- Growth rates continued for 50YR than Russian lives would be better
- But the Tsar would have to become more reformist to apply its economy for the benefit of Russia and its people.
The Duma was the most important concession to the liberals of Russia. The First Duma, April – June 2006 had its hopes dashed before it even came together. The Tsar successfully arranged a huge loan from France, lessening the likelihood that the Dumas would have economic hold over the Tsar. The Tsars Fundamental Laws meaning the tsar could effectively dismiss the Duma, and they also announced that the Duma was to be of two chambers or bi-cameral, the elected lower house and the state council of which was appointed by the tsar, who could veto. This second chamber effectively deprived the elected chamber of any power in decision making.
This caused bitterness at the first meeting, and the first election returned a majority of reformist parties. They voiced their anger and demanded the rights of the Duma to be increased. The tsar, is reported to have said ‘curse the Duma. It is all Witte’s doing.’ After two months of bitterness, the tsar dissolved the Duma. This lead to 200 Kadets and Labourists to reassemble in Vyborg, Finland to draw up an appeal for the Russian people to defy the government by refusing to pay taxes and disobeying conscription orders. However the Kadets made a tactical error as the Russian people did not give passive resistance but scattered violence and so the government could fight fire with fire, giving them a reason to arrest the Kadets and bar them for Duma election. The Tsar appointed Stolypin to quell the disturbances of scattered violence and Stolypin had 2500 people executed, giving the hanging noose the nickname ‘Stolypin’s necktie’. The Kadets never really recovered from their humiliation, and so this gave the extremists to give their view.
The second Duma, feb-june 1907 saw the Kadets lose half of their seats, which were filled by SD’s and SR’s, which made the Duma very anti-government. However, since the very rightwing reactionary conservatives had also grown in numbers, there was disagreement within it and the government. This was hostile to the government, and Stolypin who was willing to work with the duma saw his land reformation opposed. When SD’s and SR’s were accused of rebellion, the Tsar dissolved.
The Third Duma Nov 07- June 1912, the tsar was keen to keep the Duma as it made Russia look democratic, France and Britain who he was in talks with was very impressed by this advancement. He was also keen as Peter Stolypins new electoral laws allowed him to effectively rig the election by only allowing middle-class to vote. This meant that the third and fourth duma’s were heavily right-wing and reactionary and so criticisms were muted. Stolypin then finally got his land reforms passed without any opposition and the 2571 progressive reformations saw important proposals for modernising the army, social reform of education and national insurance.
The fourth Duma, Nov 1912- august 1913, had started to voice criticisms about the tsar’s government and to the point of they started to not put through new proposals as the tsar’s government was in danger of collapse. This was seen as the ‘rubber stamp’ Duma, just there for show but they did continue with social reform work, although often critical of government.
SUMMARY
First Duma – very reformist parties, doomed from beginning,
- Loan from France
- Bi-cameral Duma
- Fundamental laws
Tsar dissolved after mass bitterness from reformist parties. 200 kadets/labourists met in Vyborg. Appeal drawn up – passive resistance. Peasants mistook for violence. Stolypin appointed to crush scattered violence. Militant kadets banned from next duma election
Second Duma – SR’s and SD’s with Reactionaries.
- Disagreement within themselves as very extremist against each other
- Disagreement with the Tsar heavily
- Reformist parties discredited
- Tsar dissolves
Third Duma
Just Reactionaries
- Britain and France impressed with ‘Democratic Russia’
- Stolypin rigged election so only middle/class could vote
- This removed criticisms and social reform began
- National Insurance, military proposals and schooling, also no criticisms for Tsar
Fourth Duma
Reactionaries
- Saw as a rubber stamp of the Tsar
- Continued with some reform
- However more judgemental of the Tsar, began to voice criticisms
- Almost gave up towards end as Tsar’s gov was in danger.
He first, ‘de-revolutionised the peasantry’ and pretty much introduced that all outstanding payments would eventually be cancelled outright. The mortgage due to emancipation had impoverished the peasants and was the reason for their inclusion in the revolution. Secondly, was the ‘Wager on the Strong’, which was a continuation of his successful peasantry decision. Farmers were told to replace the strip system with fenced fields. He opened a land bank, to provide funds for the peasant to buy land. This was called wager on the strong, to create a layer of rich and strong peasants which would turn the massive population as tsarist supporters.
Whether this was successful is debatable, as Russian peasantry were so conservative it prevented them from embracing reformist change and there was doubt about replacing the strip system. However, it did create a layer of strong peasants, with proof from tax returns, a significant minority paying higher tax. It is also true that land reform needs time to work, 20 years plus, but the war of 1914 only allowed eight. Figures that support success are new independent farms, 1907 – 48,500, 1908 – 508,500 though by 1913 the policy was clear to be losing steam, 1913 -134,554 as the ministry of agriculture saw the conservatism a problem.
SUMMARY
-Terrible Famines due to poor land, overcrowding, mass peasantry and bad harvests.
'De-revolutionised the peasantry' - Ruled out emancipation decree mortgage.
'Wager on the strong' Land bank + replace strips, for rich peasants to be Tsar supporters
DEBATE
- Land reform needed time to work, interrupted by WW1.
- Huge conservatism in peasantry, unlikely to convert from strip farming
- did create layer of strong peasants
- Eventually started to lose steam
THE ECONOMY AFTER SERGEI WITTE
The economy improvement has simply not been the work of just Witte, it was a worldwide boom, but by this point, industrial recession set in. This was difficult for Russia, as the boom meant huge migration to the cities and as it was not organised or managed, acute overcrowding was a problem. Originally these peasants who migrated to become workers, accepted their grim conditions because of increased pay, but when the boom ended, this turned to unemployment, who became homeless and had their hopes of a better life completely ruined. This was a contributing factor to the social unrest 1900-1907. The number of strikes also began to increase from as low as 222 in 1908 to 3000 in 1914
However figures show that the number of factories increased by 2000, state revenue had doubled and workers had increased by almost half a million over the period of recession 1908-1913. Few workers really gained from the expansion however, and the wage of workers barely increased although inflation did.
The key question is how strong the Russian economy had become by 1914, and evidence suggests that if WW1 never intervened, the Russian economy would have continued to develop and industrialise into a comparable size of the other great nations, using the figures of growth and expansion. It can be argued that Russia would never have reached this stage, as at 1914 80% were still peasantry and undermines the industrial development.
Alex Nove, on the subject says that there are convincing arguments on either side, ‘if growth rates for industry and agriculture were projected over 50 years, there is no doubt that they would lead decent lives, however this involves necessary adjustments to manage the state by the Tsar to account for the changing society’, simply that the Russian economy would of continued to grow, but the tsar would have to make reasonable and rational reformation to use the money for the gain of the country, and that this most certainly would not be the case. Still, it is impossible to tell as WW1 intervened. Nove uses the phrase ‘There must surely be a limit to the game of what-might-have-been’
SUMMARY
Worldwide economic improvement
- Migration of peasants to cities to work,
- Ended boom saw acute overcrowding- growing population not managed.
- Peasants hopes of new life dashed, leading to social unrest, more strikes towards 1914
Expansion
- state revenue doubled to 4Bil
- 2000 more factories
- Workforce increase by 400,000
- Wages however DID NOT INCREASE whilst INFLATION did
Debate
- Russian economy would of continued to expand if not for WW1
- Argued that 80% peasantry undermined this
Nove
- Growth rates continued for 50YR than Russian lives would be better
- But the Tsar would have to become more reformist to apply its economy for the benefit of Russia and its people.
The Duma was the most important concession to the liberals of Russia. The First Duma, April – June 2006 had its hopes dashed before it even came together. The Tsar successfully arranged a huge loan from France, lessening the likelihood that the Dumas would have economic hold over the Tsar. The Tsars Fundamental Laws meaning the tsar could effectively dismiss the Duma, and they also announced that the Duma was to be of two chambers or bi-cameral, the elected lower house and the state council of which was appointed by the tsar, who could veto. This second chamber effectively deprived the elected chamber of any power in decision making.
This caused bitterness at the first meeting, and the first election returned a majority of reformist parties. They voiced their anger and demanded the rights of the Duma to be increased. The tsar, is reported to have said ‘curse the Duma. It is all Witte’s doing.’ After two months of bitterness, the tsar dissolved the Duma. This lead to 200 Kadets and Labourists to reassemble in Vyborg, Finland to draw up an appeal for the Russian people to defy the government by refusing to pay taxes and disobeying conscription orders. However the Kadets made a tactical error as the Russian people did not give passive resistance but scattered violence and so the government could fight fire with fire, giving them a reason to arrest the Kadets and bar them for Duma election. The Tsar appointed Stolypin to quell the disturbances of scattered violence and Stolypin had 2500 people executed, giving the hanging noose the nickname ‘Stolypin’s necktie’. The Kadets never really recovered from their humiliation, and so this gave the extremists to give their view.
The second Duma, feb-june 1907 saw the Kadets lose half of their seats, which were filled by SD’s and SR’s, which made the Duma very anti-government. However, since the very rightwing reactionary conservatives had also grown in numbers, there was disagreement within it and the government. This was hostile to the government, and Stolypin who was willing to work with the duma saw his land reformation opposed. When SD’s and SR’s were accused of rebellion, the Tsar dissolved.
The Third Duma Nov 07- June 1912, the tsar was keen to keep the Duma as it made Russia look democratic, France and Britain who he was in talks with was very impressed by this advancement. He was also keen as Peter Stolypins new electoral laws allowed him to effectively rig the election by only allowing middle-class to vote. This meant that the third and fourth duma’s were heavily right-wing and reactionary and so criticisms were muted. Stolypin then finally got his land reforms passed without any opposition and the 2571 progressive reformations saw important proposals for modernising the army, social reform of education and national insurance.
The fourth Duma, Nov 1912- august 1913, had started to voice criticisms about the tsar’s government and to the point of they started to not put through new proposals as the tsar’s government was in danger of collapse. This was seen as the ‘rubber stamp’ Duma, just there for show but they did continue with social reform work, although often critical of government.
SUMMARY
First Duma – very reformist parties, doomed from beginning,
- Loan from France
- Bi-cameral Duma
- Fundamental laws
Tsar dissolved after mass bitterness from reformist parties. 200 kadets/labourists met in Vyborg. Appeal drawn up – passive resistance. Peasants mistook for violence. Stolypin appointed to crush scattered violence. Militant kadets banned from next duma election
Second Duma – SR’s and SD’s with Reactionaries.
- Disagreement within themselves as very extremist against each other
- Disagreement with the Tsar heavily
- Reformist parties discredited
- Tsar dissolves
Third Duma
Just Reactionaries
- Britain and France impressed with ‘Democratic Russia’
- Stolypin rigged election so only middle/class could vote
- This removed criticisms and social reform began
- National Insurance, military proposals and schooling, also no criticisms for Tsar
Fourth Duma
Reactionaries
- Saw as a rubber stamp of the Tsar
- Continued with some reform
- However more judgemental of the Tsar, began to voice criticisms
- Almost gave up towards end as Tsar’s gov was in danger.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
The 1905 revolution
The groups that led to revolution were the Industrial Workers, the Peasantry and the Reformist middle class. This was broad and when it came however it was accidental and due to the ill-judgement of the Tsar and influenced by Recession and bad harvests. It all started with Bloody Sunday, where Father Gapon lead a peaceful march to the winter palace in St.Petersburg, to present a petition begging for better conditions. The march however, caused panic and the marchers were fired on, with up to 200 people being killed. This ruined the image of the Tsar as the defender of the Russian people.
Disorder spread from this, with huge strikes around the country with terrorism against land owners organised by the SR’s. The RJW humiliation led to the assassination of Plehve. Peasants also seized huge country estates and squatted in them, who were influenced due to the huge mortgage’s they had to pay (emancipation decree). The nationalists also pushed for equal rights and an end to Russification. The Kadets persuaded all of the Liberal Groups to form a Union of Unions to replace the ‘gang of robbers’ in power.
The Potemkin Mutiny was one of many mutinies in the Army and Navy, as they were mainly peasants and had difficulty attacking their own kind. The crew of the Prince Potemkin mutinied at sea after having to live on stale water, borsch and putrid meat. The sailors elected a reprehensive to approach the captain to complain (Peter Vakulenchuk) and he was shot. The crew then attacked the officers, and took the ship. They sailed to the port of Odessa where a strike was happening and the Crew were treated as heroes. Troops were sent to Odessa and the people were drove into the sea. This was deeply troubling as a government that couldn’t rely on its army could possibly lose control all together. Witte also feared returning troops from the RJW would join the revolution.
The industrial unrest grown into a huge general strike and in a number of cities (Moscow, Petrograd) workers formed an elected soviet, to represent for better conditions and rights. They were however infiltrated by Revolutionaries who saw their potential
The Tsar was faced by a huge amount of opposition, and he had to concede in order to survive, mainly by appeasement. Witte drafted an October manifesto, in which the liberals were the first to be conceded.
- creation of an elected Duma
- Censorship ended
- Legalisation of trade unions
- Political parties given rights.
The liberals felt they had made a genuine advance. The Peasants were next pacified, by the declaration that the emancipation mortgage payments were graduated down until they were infact struck off. The peasants immediately stopped land seizures. The government had now appeased the major two areas of society, the ‘dark masses’ and the ‘reformists’. The government dealt with the workers, with suppression, killing many and soviets were burned down and Trotsky arrested. Nicholas then dismissed Witte, showing that he was truly out of touch.
The revolutionaries never really started the revolution and no SD’s really impacted the events. The tsarist system however, remained unscathed by the revolution, and proved that as long as the tsar held his nerve and the military remained loyal, the Tsarist system would stay strong. There was only little mutiny in the military; the peasants were easily appeased, as were the peasants. The Tsar also took back some of the concessions made by the Fundamental Law OF 1906 in which the Tsar could effectively ignore the Duma ‘the sovereign emperor possesses the initiative in all legislative matters. It is also true that few liberals enjoyed the Revolution as the grotesque manor of the peasants.
SUMMARY
Reasons for revolution
– Autocracy
– Emancipation Mortgages
– Economic and Agricultural backwardness (recession + bad harvests)
– Repression of the people
– Poor conditions
– RJW humiliation
– Russification/Anti-Semitism
Bloody Sunday
Peaceful march by Father Gapon, causes panic. 200 DEAD, damages Tsar’s image.
Strikes follow and Social unrest, peasants seize property, the Mensheviks form the Union of Union
Mutiny of Potemkin, forced to eat poor nutrition and ended up taking ship, sailed to Odessa, people forced into the sea.
The Soviets are formed by workers.
OCTOBER MANIFESTO
Liberals appeased
- Political Rights for parties, legalising TU’s, No censorship and lessening of Russification
- Duma to be created.
Peasants bought off by gradual removal of emancipation
Workers crushed and soviets burned,
Fundamental Law discredits duma
The first united opposition, but the tsarist system remained unhurt, as long as government kept its nerve and military remained loyal.
Disorder spread from this, with huge strikes around the country with terrorism against land owners organised by the SR’s. The RJW humiliation led to the assassination of Plehve. Peasants also seized huge country estates and squatted in them, who were influenced due to the huge mortgage’s they had to pay (emancipation decree). The nationalists also pushed for equal rights and an end to Russification. The Kadets persuaded all of the Liberal Groups to form a Union of Unions to replace the ‘gang of robbers’ in power.
The Potemkin Mutiny was one of many mutinies in the Army and Navy, as they were mainly peasants and had difficulty attacking their own kind. The crew of the Prince Potemkin mutinied at sea after having to live on stale water, borsch and putrid meat. The sailors elected a reprehensive to approach the captain to complain (Peter Vakulenchuk) and he was shot. The crew then attacked the officers, and took the ship. They sailed to the port of Odessa where a strike was happening and the Crew were treated as heroes. Troops were sent to Odessa and the people were drove into the sea. This was deeply troubling as a government that couldn’t rely on its army could possibly lose control all together. Witte also feared returning troops from the RJW would join the revolution.
The industrial unrest grown into a huge general strike and in a number of cities (Moscow, Petrograd) workers formed an elected soviet, to represent for better conditions and rights. They were however infiltrated by Revolutionaries who saw their potential
The Tsar was faced by a huge amount of opposition, and he had to concede in order to survive, mainly by appeasement. Witte drafted an October manifesto, in which the liberals were the first to be conceded.
- creation of an elected Duma
- Censorship ended
- Legalisation of trade unions
- Political parties given rights.
The liberals felt they had made a genuine advance. The Peasants were next pacified, by the declaration that the emancipation mortgage payments were graduated down until they were infact struck off. The peasants immediately stopped land seizures. The government had now appeased the major two areas of society, the ‘dark masses’ and the ‘reformists’. The government dealt with the workers, with suppression, killing many and soviets were burned down and Trotsky arrested. Nicholas then dismissed Witte, showing that he was truly out of touch.
The revolutionaries never really started the revolution and no SD’s really impacted the events. The tsarist system however, remained unscathed by the revolution, and proved that as long as the tsar held his nerve and the military remained loyal, the Tsarist system would stay strong. There was only little mutiny in the military; the peasants were easily appeased, as were the peasants. The Tsar also took back some of the concessions made by the Fundamental Law OF 1906 in which the Tsar could effectively ignore the Duma ‘the sovereign emperor possesses the initiative in all legislative matters. It is also true that few liberals enjoyed the Revolution as the grotesque manor of the peasants.
SUMMARY
Reasons for revolution
– Autocracy
– Emancipation Mortgages
– Economic and Agricultural backwardness (recession + bad harvests)
– Repression of the people
– Poor conditions
– RJW humiliation
– Russification/Anti-Semitism
Bloody Sunday
Peaceful march by Father Gapon, causes panic. 200 DEAD, damages Tsar’s image.
Strikes follow and Social unrest, peasants seize property, the Mensheviks form the Union of Union
Mutiny of Potemkin, forced to eat poor nutrition and ended up taking ship, sailed to Odessa, people forced into the sea.
The Soviets are formed by workers.
OCTOBER MANIFESTO
Liberals appeased
- Political Rights for parties, legalising TU’s, No censorship and lessening of Russification
- Duma to be created.
Peasants bought off by gradual removal of emancipation
Workers crushed and soviets burned,
Fundamental Law discredits duma
The first united opposition, but the tsarist system remained unhurt, as long as government kept its nerve and military remained loyal.
Monday, 6 April 2009
THE OPPOSITION TO TSARDOM
The Liberal reformers made up of the Octobrists and the Kadets. The Octobrists were loyal to the government but believed in maintenance through dumas, who came together through various interests such as commercial and industrialists. A leading member is notably Rodzianko. Octobrists did frequently speak out against tsar although being dismissed by more revolutionary members.
The Kadets wanted Russia to develop as a constitutional monarch with a fully elected constituent assembly which could sort out every problem, a basis of which all liberals looked for. They wanted less censorship, legalisation of trade unions and political rights for parties plus a Cons Assem, plus more rights for people and the end of emancipation.
The Revolutionaries were contained by three areas, the Populists, the Social Revolutionaries, and the Social Democrats. The Populists regarded the future of Russia as the peasants and should overthrow the tsar. Populist leaders were middle/upper class and wanted to educate the peasantry. They turned to terrorism (subgroup the PEOPLES WILL) blew Alexander II to pieces but this made them look bad as Alexander was reformist, but they did inspire.
The Social Revolutionaries grew from the Populists as the economic upturn introduced interest from social/political problems, and reshaped the populists into the revolutionaries. Leon Trotsky, a member of the SR’s mention on how they were often split on opinion with the ‘Left (terrorist approach) and Right’ SR’s (moderate and willing to work with others). They assassinated Plehve and GD Sergei successfully. They did appeal to the peasants with ‘revolutionary socialism’.
The Social Democrats, had the aim to achieve revolution by following Marxist principles, following a series of ‘class struggles’ in which they would use the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeoisie, then remove them and create the perfect society, and this was helped by the economic spurt as they could direct the workers to revolution. Plekhanov originally converted the writings to Russian for reading, but members became impatient with him and so Lenin, a critic of Plekhanov began to get support. Lenin impacted with his colleague Martov, THE ISKRA newspaper. Lenin’s main difference was he believed in a small selected and talented few to push the party forward rather than a broad coalition of groups like Plekhanov. Martov agreed with Plekhanov and so the SD’s split into the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. The Mensheviks believed in a broad, open speaking party with alliance to other Revolutionaries and that Russia was not ready for revolution. The Bolsheviks believed revolution could be broke down in stages, with a tight knit party and was spoken in ideas by a central committee or ‘democratic centralism’ (true democracy was the Bolsheviks followed his exact instructions and other leaders)
SUMMARY
Liberal Parties
- Octobrists formed after OCT-MANIFESTO, hopes of Duma creation
- Kadets, a constituent assembly which would be elected under the Tsar hoping for certain rights as no censorship or political rights for parties
REVOLUTIONARIES
- Populists, with ‘Peoples Will’ believed in peasant revolution to overthrow the tsar
- Social Revolutionaries, the updated populists with Left and Right
- The Social Democrats, Marxist believers of proletariat overthrowing bourgeoisie. Split to Mensheviks (broad party, open discussion) and Bolsheviks of Lenin (tight knit, central committee and democratic centralism and class struggle)
The RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR, 1904 saw Nicholas face his first foreign affair problem. Russia clashed with Japan for three motives, Russia’s expansion policy (wanted Japanese land), to obtain an ice free port and for military glory. Plehve said that this would distract revolution, although Witte was the real man behind it. Russia looked down on Japan as an inferior nation and so an easy victory. The Russians then so, deliberately rejected proposals for settlement over korea hoping for conflict.
The war was proof that Russia underestimated japan, as japan had began rapid reformation and modernisation and the Japanese army/navy were very well equipped. Russia’s final embarrassment was the 8 month journey to fight the Japanese only to be blown out of the water within hours. They signed the peace treaty of Portsmouth. Russia lost due to poor organisation and commanding, as they were outmanoeuvred and the distance travelled made it close to impossible.
Russia’s defeat was a humiliation, and led to serious unrest and also directly led to the 1905 revolution
SUMMARY
Russian reasons – Expansion, Ice free port seizures and Military glory to distract ‘revolution’ and problems. Russia underestimated Japan.
Japanese took key Russian property Russian fleet was destroyed within hours after eight months, due to inadequate planning, the difficulty of travelling and Japanese skill, the aftermath saw humiliation and a direct event towards the 1905 revolution.
The Liberal reformers made up of the Octobrists and the Kadets. The Octobrists were loyal to the government but believed in maintenance through dumas, who came together through various interests such as commercial and industrialists. A leading member is notably Rodzianko. Octobrists did frequently speak out against tsar although being dismissed by more revolutionary members.
The Kadets wanted Russia to develop as a constitutional monarch with a fully elected constituent assembly which could sort out every problem, a basis of which all liberals looked for. They wanted less censorship, legalisation of trade unions and political rights for parties plus a Cons Assem, plus more rights for people and the end of emancipation.
The Revolutionaries were contained by three areas, the Populists, the Social Revolutionaries, and the Social Democrats. The Populists regarded the future of Russia as the peasants and should overthrow the tsar. Populist leaders were middle/upper class and wanted to educate the peasantry. They turned to terrorism (subgroup the PEOPLES WILL) blew Alexander II to pieces but this made them look bad as Alexander was reformist, but they did inspire.
The Social Revolutionaries grew from the Populists as the economic upturn introduced interest from social/political problems, and reshaped the populists into the revolutionaries. Leon Trotsky, a member of the SR’s mention on how they were often split on opinion with the ‘Left (terrorist approach) and Right’ SR’s (moderate and willing to work with others). They assassinated Plehve and GD Sergei successfully. They did appeal to the peasants with ‘revolutionary socialism’.
The Social Democrats, had the aim to achieve revolution by following Marxist principles, following a series of ‘class struggles’ in which they would use the proletariat to overthrow the bourgeoisie, then remove them and create the perfect society, and this was helped by the economic spurt as they could direct the workers to revolution. Plekhanov originally converted the writings to Russian for reading, but members became impatient with him and so Lenin, a critic of Plekhanov began to get support. Lenin impacted with his colleague Martov, THE ISKRA newspaper. Lenin’s main difference was he believed in a small selected and talented few to push the party forward rather than a broad coalition of groups like Plekhanov. Martov agreed with Plekhanov and so the SD’s split into the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks. The Mensheviks believed in a broad, open speaking party with alliance to other Revolutionaries and that Russia was not ready for revolution. The Bolsheviks believed revolution could be broke down in stages, with a tight knit party and was spoken in ideas by a central committee or ‘democratic centralism’ (true democracy was the Bolsheviks followed his exact instructions and other leaders)
SUMMARY
Liberal Parties
- Octobrists formed after OCT-MANIFESTO, hopes of Duma creation
- Kadets, a constituent assembly which would be elected under the Tsar hoping for certain rights as no censorship or political rights for parties
REVOLUTIONARIES
- Populists, with ‘Peoples Will’ believed in peasant revolution to overthrow the tsar
- Social Revolutionaries, the updated populists with Left and Right
- The Social Democrats, Marxist believers of proletariat overthrowing bourgeoisie. Split to Mensheviks (broad party, open discussion) and Bolsheviks of Lenin (tight knit, central committee and democratic centralism and class struggle)
The RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR, 1904 saw Nicholas face his first foreign affair problem. Russia clashed with Japan for three motives, Russia’s expansion policy (wanted Japanese land), to obtain an ice free port and for military glory. Plehve said that this would distract revolution, although Witte was the real man behind it. Russia looked down on Japan as an inferior nation and so an easy victory. The Russians then so, deliberately rejected proposals for settlement over korea hoping for conflict.
The war was proof that Russia underestimated japan, as japan had began rapid reformation and modernisation and the Japanese army/navy were very well equipped. Russia’s final embarrassment was the 8 month journey to fight the Japanese only to be blown out of the water within hours. They signed the peace treaty of Portsmouth. Russia lost due to poor organisation and commanding, as they were outmanoeuvred and the distance travelled made it close to impossible.
Russia’s defeat was a humiliation, and led to serious unrest and also directly led to the 1905 revolution
SUMMARY
Russian reasons – Expansion, Ice free port seizures and Military glory to distract ‘revolution’ and problems. Russia underestimated Japan.
Japanese took key Russian property Russian fleet was destroyed within hours after eight months, due to inadequate planning, the difficulty of travelling and Japanese skill, the aftermath saw humiliation and a direct event towards the 1905 revolution.
Nicholas has two main aspects of his reign which are the problems that he faced at a critical stage of Russian history, and the growth of opposition to Tsardom. Nicholas’ upbringing made him suspicious of reformation and he continued repressive attitudes. Konstantin Pobedonostsev was a very influential minister and was Nicholas’ tutor as a boy, who passed ‘ the deep distaste for liberal/democratic idea’s’ and believed that imperial autocracy was the only way to rule Russia. Nicholas followed suite.
Nicholas’s policies prove how out of touch he was with reform as they were reactionary. Russification was a severely enforced policy which declared Russian the first language and the courts were taken in this language alone and discrimination of over 50% of the population began, and the state influenced every aspect of their lives. Anti-Semitism means that the Jews were the greatest victim of Russification who were made to be scapegoats of Russian problems and suffered terrible pogroms.
Because of censorship and Russification/Anti-Semitism, opposition grew from Social Revolutionaries to Liberalist reformers, proof of Nicholas’s out of touch policy. However, Russia’s economy began to thrive thanks to the work of Peter Stolypin and Sergei Witte, who were very pro-tsar.
SUMMARY – Nicholas out of touch in policies, very much reactionary and influenced by POBEDONOSTSEV,
- Russification caused bitterness and much confusion
- The Jews suffered terribly due to pogroms
- Opposition grew
Economic Reformation under Witte, saw rapid growth in the coal from the Ukraine, Steel outputs in the Urals and Oil in Caucasus, which was maintained by his reforms and took forward through private enterprise. The Tsar had intentions of strengthening the arms of Russia through the money made. Witte invited foreign experts on how to make more of this money and compete on terms with the Great Nations.
State Capitalism, as witte was impressed by the economies of the democratic countries and wanted to follow along the same lines by trading (he did admit that Russia’s backwardness was a problem). Witte, then so arranged big loans and investments from foreign countries and imposed taxes. He also introduced Tarriff Reform. Witte also went on to put Russia on Gold Standard (fixed gold content) to stabilise the economy, and was largely successful although painful for those at home.
Witte recognised the importance of railways as they would have a positive effect on the economy (imports and exports, transporting supplies/materials around Russia) and invested heavily into them. He worked on the Trans-Siberian Railway Moscow-Vladivostok, which encouraged the migration of workers and was an impressive representation of the Russian Empire.
Witte did have his problems though, as he made Russia too dependent of foreign loans, and he also neglected the agricultural problems and light engineering however this can be balanced by arguing that this was the most he could tackle due to the problems he faced with Nicholas who deeply disliked him, who made his policies difficult to enforce.
SUMMARY
Economy under witte – growth in UKRAINE, URALS AND CAUCASUS
Tsar wanted money to strengthen army
Witte wanted to make Russia strong
– Foreign experts
– State Capitalism (trading with GN’s)
– Big loans + investments
– Tariff Reform and Taxes
– Gold Standard
He also invested in railways for export/import and worker migration, but was too dependent on foreign loans + neglected light engineering (repairing railway) and agriculture.
Nicholas’s policies prove how out of touch he was with reform as they were reactionary. Russification was a severely enforced policy which declared Russian the first language and the courts were taken in this language alone and discrimination of over 50% of the population began, and the state influenced every aspect of their lives. Anti-Semitism means that the Jews were the greatest victim of Russification who were made to be scapegoats of Russian problems and suffered terrible pogroms.
Because of censorship and Russification/Anti-Semitism, opposition grew from Social Revolutionaries to Liberalist reformers, proof of Nicholas’s out of touch policy. However, Russia’s economy began to thrive thanks to the work of Peter Stolypin and Sergei Witte, who were very pro-tsar.
SUMMARY – Nicholas out of touch in policies, very much reactionary and influenced by POBEDONOSTSEV,
- Russification caused bitterness and much confusion
- The Jews suffered terribly due to pogroms
- Opposition grew
Economic Reformation under Witte, saw rapid growth in the coal from the Ukraine, Steel outputs in the Urals and Oil in Caucasus, which was maintained by his reforms and took forward through private enterprise. The Tsar had intentions of strengthening the arms of Russia through the money made. Witte invited foreign experts on how to make more of this money and compete on terms with the Great Nations.
State Capitalism, as witte was impressed by the economies of the democratic countries and wanted to follow along the same lines by trading (he did admit that Russia’s backwardness was a problem). Witte, then so arranged big loans and investments from foreign countries and imposed taxes. He also introduced Tarriff Reform. Witte also went on to put Russia on Gold Standard (fixed gold content) to stabilise the economy, and was largely successful although painful for those at home.
Witte recognised the importance of railways as they would have a positive effect on the economy (imports and exports, transporting supplies/materials around Russia) and invested heavily into them. He worked on the Trans-Siberian Railway Moscow-Vladivostok, which encouraged the migration of workers and was an impressive representation of the Russian Empire.
Witte did have his problems though, as he made Russia too dependent of foreign loans, and he also neglected the agricultural problems and light engineering however this can be balanced by arguing that this was the most he could tackle due to the problems he faced with Nicholas who deeply disliked him, who made his policies difficult to enforce.
SUMMARY
Economy under witte – growth in UKRAINE, URALS AND CAUCASUS
Tsar wanted money to strengthen army
Witte wanted to make Russia strong
– Foreign experts
– State Capitalism (trading with GN’s)
– Big loans + investments
– Tariff Reform and Taxes
– Gold Standard
He also invested in railways for export/import and worker migration, but was too dependent on foreign loans + neglected light engineering (repairing railway) and agriculture.
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