kai 1 & 2. what was the nature of russia’s pre- revolutionary society? kai 1

KAI 1 & 2KAI 1 & 2

What was the nature What was the nature of Russia’s pre-of Russia’s pre-

revolutionary society?revolutionary society?

KAI 1KAI 1

Imperial RussiaImperial Russia

Geography and it’s peopleGeography and it’s people

It’s big! See mapIt’s big! See map

Ethnically diverseEthnically diverse

What was Tsarism?What was Tsarism?

BUREAUCRACY & CHURCH

NOBLES & INTELLECTUALS& BOURGEOISIE

PEASANTRY & PROLETARIAT

TSAR

Defining TsarismDefining Tsarism

Russia culture has traditionally relied Russia culture has traditionally relied on a strong central leaderon a strong central leader

The Fundamental laws of the Empire The Fundamental laws of the Empire were a statement issued in 1716 and were a statement issued in 1716 and again in 1832.again in 1832.

The described the Tsar as being The described the Tsar as being autocratic and unlimited monarch and autocratic and unlimited monarch and stated the God himself commands his stated the God himself commands his supreme power be obeyedsupreme power be obeyed

Tsar (King)Tsar (King) Autocracy (absolute power) – had even survived Autocracy (absolute power) – had even survived

the effects of Napoleon and the French Rev.the effects of Napoleon and the French Rev. Tsar’s will was sole source of:Tsar’s will was sole source of:

1.1. LawLaw2.2. TaxationTaxation3.3. JusticeJustice

Ruled by Divine Right: ‘In Russia, two are Ruled by Divine Right: ‘In Russia, two are everywhere, God and the Tsar’ (see everywhere, God and the Tsar’ (see Tsarist Tsarist RussiaRussia))

No group to impose a check on the Tsar eg No group to impose a check on the Tsar eg nobles lost power after emancipation of serfs in nobles lost power after emancipation of serfs in 18611861

Tracing TsarismTracing Tsarism

1613 – Romonov Dynasty begins1613 – Romonov Dynasty begins 1682-1725 – Peter the Great1682-1725 – Peter the Great 1762-96 – Catherine the Great1762-96 – Catherine the Great 1825-55 – Nicholas I1825-55 – Nicholas I 1855-81 – Alexander II1855-81 – Alexander II 1881-94 – Alexander III1881-94 – Alexander III

Tsar Nicholas 2ndTsar Nicholas 2nd

Russian societyRussian society Largest country in Largest country in

EuropeEurope Covered 1/6 of earth’s Covered 1/6 of earth’s

land surfaceland surface Encompassed >60 ethnic Encompassed >60 ethnic

groups eg Latvians, groups eg Latvians, Poles, Czechs, Jews, Poles, Czechs, Jews, Serbs, ArmeniansSerbs, Armenians

Around 50% of Around 50% of population were Russianspopulation were Russians

Persecution of Jews Persecution of Jews evident – state evident – state sanctioned pogromssanctioned pogroms

Tsarist RussiaTsarist Russia

Russian Orthodox ChurchRussian Orthodox Church Held political and economic power in Held political and economic power in

RussiaRussia Had large amounts of land; received state Had large amounts of land; received state

grants and money from land. grants and money from land. Supplemented this with sales of candles, Supplemented this with sales of candles, icons, communion bread etc.icons, communion bread etc.

Spied for the TsarSpied for the Tsar Preached allegiance to the Tsar; therefore Preached allegiance to the Tsar; therefore

the Tsar was generally held in high the Tsar was generally held in high esteem by the peasantsesteem by the peasants

Other groupsOther groups Nobles: powerless due Nobles: powerless due

to threat of losing land to threat of losing land or deportation to Siberiaor deportation to Siberia

Resented Tsar for Resented Tsar for decreasing their powerdecreasing their power

Bourgeoisie: small but Bourgeoisie: small but growing. Industrialists, growing. Industrialists, merchants & bankers. merchants & bankers. Workers hated this Workers hated this group as they refused to group as they refused to give adequate wages or give adequate wages or conditions. Little powerconditions. Little power

Intelligentsia: rising Intelligentsia: rising class of intellectuals class of intellectuals eg university eg university professors, professors, professionalsprofessionals

Frustrated at the Frustrated at the antiquated system of antiquated system of government in Russia government in Russia – desired change– desired change

Some became Some became revolutionariesrevolutionaries

PeasantsPeasants 4/5 of population4/5 of population Many lived in povertyMany lived in poverty 35 average life 35 average life

expectancyexpectancy Had no voteHad no vote Primitive methods of Primitive methods of

farming meant that not farming meant that not enough food was being enough food was being grown to keep up with grown to keep up with populationpopulation

Separate legal system Separate legal system which included corporal which included corporal punishment for some punishment for some offences; still saw Tsar offences; still saw Tsar as ‘little Father’as ‘little Father’

Proletariat (urban workers)Proletariat (urban workers) Influx to cities of male, Influx to cities of male,

young, peasant by young, peasant by origin at start of 20origin at start of 20thth C C

Overcrowding eg 50 to Overcrowding eg 50 to a dormitorya dormitory

11 hour working day, 11 hour working day, 6 days a week6 days a week

Poor comfort and Poor comfort and safety conditions in safety conditions in factories eg -20 factories eg -20 degree tempsdegree temps

Breeding ground for Breeding ground for revolutionary ideasrevolutionary ideas

Attempts at ReformAttempts at Reform Sergei Witte - Minister for Finance Sergei Witte - Minister for Finance

(1893-1903)(1893-1903) Sort advice from foreign expertsSort advice from foreign experts Russia’s ‘great spurt’Russia’s ‘great spurt’ Negotiated large loans and Negotiated large loans and

investment from abroadinvestment from abroad Mostly invested in RailwaysMostly invested in Railways Russia was enjoying real economic Russia was enjoying real economic

expansionexpansion

Revolutionary MovementsRevolutionary Movements

Russia, had a of revolutionary Russia, had a of revolutionary movements:movements:

Russia was ‘ tempered by Russia was ‘ tempered by ’, ’,

an American ambassador notedan American ambassador noted

Revolutionary GroupsRevolutionary Groups

(Liberal reforming party)(Liberal reforming party)– Industrialists, merchants, intellectualsIndustrialists, merchants, intellectuals– Wanted a like Great Wanted a like Great

BritainBritain– Remove in societyRemove in society– Desired a Desired a – Not well organisedNot well organised


(liberal reforming party)(liberal reforming party)

- more than the Kadets- more than the Kadets

- support from wealthy land and - support from wealthy land and factoryfactory

owning monarchistsowning monarchists

- wanted a but with the Tsar to - wanted a but with the Tsar to

remain with powerremain with power


Social Revolutionaries (SR’s)Social Revolutionaries (SR’s)– centredcentred– Believed in an end to ; ruling Believed in an end to ; ruling

should be done in ; land should be done in ; land redistributed to peasantsredistributed to peasants

– PopulistPopulist– Small secret groups committed to Small secret groups committed to – Around 50,000 supportersAround 50,000 supporters


Social DemocratsSocial Democrats

- - – Split into (majority) and (minority) Split into (majority) and (minority)

in 1903in 1903– (Bolshevik leader) wanted a small, (Bolshevik leader) wanted a small,

committed, highly organised band to initiate committed, highly organised band to initiate

– Martov ( leader) wanted to wait until Martov ( leader) wanted to wait until

the industrial class was strong enough and the industrial class was strong enough and support a more revolutionsupport a more revolution

MarxismMarxism

Karl Marx, a ,Karl Marx, a ,philosopher, put forward philosopher, put forward theories about society theories about society being based on being based on struggle. He said that struggle. He said that the system would the system would be replaced a be replaced a society. This would then society. This would then be overthrown by the be overthrown by the , or proletariat, who , or proletariat, who would create an would create an ultimately society ultimately society once they controlled the once they controlled the means of production. means of production.

1905 Revolution1905 Revolution

‘‘a dress rehearsal for 1917’ (Lenin)a dress rehearsal for 1917’ (Lenin) Russia lost the Russo-Japanese war of Russia lost the Russo-Japanese war of

1904. This brought shame on the country 1904. This brought shame on the country and people began to question the and people began to question the governmentgovernment

‘‘Bloody Sunday’ – a group of unarmed Bloody Sunday’ – a group of unarmed workers marched on the Tsar’s winter workers marched on the Tsar’s winter palace to petition him for reform. They palace to petition him for reform. They were fired upon. 96 killed, 300 wounded. were fired upon. 96 killed, 300 wounded. Damaged the Tsar’s reputation as ‘little Damaged the Tsar’s reputation as ‘little father’.father’.

1905 revolution1905 revolution

This triggered a This triggered a series of strikes series of strikes throughout 1905 throughout 1905 which threatened which threatened to bring the to bring the country to a country to a standstillstandstill

Did the government attempt Did the government attempt reforms?reforms?

The government realised they had The government realised they had to placate the people. A series of to placate the people. A series of reforms was instituted:reforms was instituted:

1.1. A Parliament called the Duma was A Parliament called the Duma was establishedestablished

2.2. Agricultural reforms were institutedAgricultural reforms were instituted

3.3. Industrial reform occurredIndustrial reform occurred

Government reformGovernment reform

A parliament called the Duma was created. A parliament called the Duma was created. Between 1905 and 1917, 4 Dumas were Between 1905 and 1917, 4 Dumas were

held. held. They did create some reformThey did create some reform

BUTBUT Elections were indirect and based on Elections were indirect and based on

property- favouring the bourgeoisieproperty- favouring the bourgeoisie Tsar could overrule and dismiss Dumas Tsar could overrule and dismiss Dumas

because of Fundamental Lawsbecause of Fundamental Laws

Agricultural reformsAgricultural reforms

Redemption payments endedRedemption payments ended Caused peasants to be able to Caused peasants to be able to

consolidate strips and move to cities – consolidate strips and move to cities – increase workforce for industryincrease workforce for industry

Created a wealthy class of peasants – Created a wealthy class of peasants – KulaksKulaks

BUTBUT Many peasants still poorMany peasants still poor Land not granted to peasantsLand not granted to peasants

Industrial reformIndustrial reform

Commerce expanded with loans eg from France Commerce expanded with loans eg from France for projects such as the Trans Siberian railwayfor projects such as the Trans Siberian railway

Mines under government controlMines under government control Hours of work for women and children limitedHours of work for women and children limited Trade unions legalised (strikes still illegal)Trade unions legalised (strikes still illegal) Sickness benefits and safety conditions Sickness benefits and safety conditions

improvedimproved

BUT still many strikes eg Lena Goldfields 1912 BUT still many strikes eg Lena Goldfields 1912 (100 miners killed), by 1914 1.5million on strike(100 miners killed), by 1914 1.5million on strike

RepressionRepression

Tsar’s supporters formed ‘Black Tsar’s supporters formed ‘Black Hundreds’ after 1905 – groups allowed to Hundreds’ after 1905 – groups allowed to murder opponentsmurder opponents

‘‘Field Courts for Civilians’ (1906-10) tried Field Courts for Civilians’ (1906-10) tried suspected revolutionaries; 90,000 suspected revolutionaries; 90,000 executed, exiled or fledexecuted, exiled or fled

Therefore, reforms were not Therefore, reforms were not wholehearted, but only made to calm wholehearted, but only made to calm opposition. System still autocratic and opposition. System still autocratic and repressive, and discontent high. repressive, and discontent high.

How did the Russian How did the Russian revolution happen?revolution happen?

KAI 2KAI 2

Causes of the Russian Causes of the Russian Revolution of February 1917Revolution of February 1917

REVOLUTIONARYMOVEMENTS

IMMORALITY OF TSARIST SYSTEM

TSAR’SINCOMPETENCE

PEASANTS

INDUSTRIALDEVELOPMENT

WORLD WAR 1

WINTER

REVOLUTION

WinterWinter

A particularly harsh A particularly harsh winter meant fuel winter meant fuel shortages, food shortages, food shortages and shortages and temperatures of -35 temperatures of -35 degrees celsius for the degrees celsius for the Russian peopleRussian people

Combined with the Combined with the impact of WW1, the impact of WW1, the people were people were desperate for desperate for assistanceassistance

World War OneWorld War One

Tsar involved Russia because of Tsar involved Russia because of complex system of alliances AND as complex system of alliances AND as a way of distracting the country from a way of distracting the country from internal difficulties. Also worried that internal difficulties. Also worried that Austria-Hungary wanted Austria-Hungary wanted Constantinople (warm water port)Constantinople (warm water port)

Initial enthusiasm throughout the Initial enthusiasm throughout the country. Early victories heartened country. Early victories heartened the Russiansthe Russians

World War OneWorld War One

BUT the battle of Tannenberg was a BUT the battle of Tannenberg was a huge defeat and many defeats huge defeat and many defeats followed this. Morale dropped. followed this. Morale dropped.

Supplies and equipment poor, due to Supplies and equipment poor, due to disruptions in rail system. Soldiers disruptions in rail system. Soldiers shared 1 rifle between 3 men, issued shared 1 rifle between 3 men, issued with 9 bullets per day, and often with 9 bullets per day, and often fought with pitchforks. Cannibalism fought with pitchforks. Cannibalism even occurred. even occurred.

Russia – World War OneRussia – World War One

Industrial developmentIndustrial development

French foreign loans withdrawnFrench foreign loans withdrawn Industry could not keep up with the Industry could not keep up with the

demands of the wardemands of the war Factories forced to close because of Factories forced to close because of

lack of money and workers (at the lack of money and workers (at the front)front)

PeasantsPeasants

Many were forcibly conscripted into the Many were forcibly conscripted into the war effortwar effort

Because of this, grain production Because of this, grain production suffered (less agricultural workers)suffered (less agricultural workers)

Rail transport was inadequate so much Rail transport was inadequate so much of the produce was left to rot at rail of the produce was left to rot at rail sidingssidings

Families lost breadwinnersFamilies lost breadwinners Land still not redistributed to peasantsLand still not redistributed to peasants

Tsar’s incompetencyTsar’s incompetency Nicholas had always Nicholas had always

been a family man been a family man before a Tsar, yet before a Tsar, yet he firmly believed he firmly believed in autocracyin autocracy

Lack of respect was Lack of respect was enhanced after he enhanced after he went to the front to went to the front to take control in take control in 1916, leaving 1916, leaving Tsarina and Tsarina and Rasputin in charge Rasputin in charge

Immorality of the Tsarist Immorality of the Tsarist systemsystem

Tsarina influenced by Tsarina influenced by Rasputin, a ‘mad monk’ Rasputin, a ‘mad monk’ who claimed to have who claimed to have hypnotic powers and hypnotic powers and healed the healed the haemophiliac heir to haemophiliac heir to the throne. the throne.

Rasputin enjoyed court Rasputin enjoyed court privileges and privileges and influenced the influenced the appointing of ministers, appointing of ministers, but his debauched but his debauched personal life made him, personal life made him, and, by association, the and, by association, the Romanovs, a mockeryRomanovs, a mockery

Revolutionary movementsRevolutionary movements

Despite the repression of the early 20Despite the repression of the early 20thth century, many revolutionaries carried on century, many revolutionaries carried on their cause outside of Russia. their cause outside of Russia.

Others were active within the country, Others were active within the country, robbing banks (eg Stalin), terrorising robbing banks (eg Stalin), terrorising capitalist groups and spreading capitalist groups and spreading propagandapropaganda

The Bolsheviks were especially successful The Bolsheviks were especially successful at propaganda in the trenches and at propaganda in the trenches and factories calling for an end to the warfactories calling for an end to the war

The February RevolutionThe February Revolution

Bitterness from the defeats and the Bitterness from the defeats and the extreme winter had reached a climaxextreme winter had reached a climax

Strikes about bread shortage Strikes about bread shortage increased and the Tsar’s soldiers’ increased and the Tsar’s soldiers’ sympathy increasedsympathy increased

Food supply problem reached a Food supply problem reached a climax in January 1917; 23climax in January 1917; 23rdrd February February female textile workers in Petrograd female textile workers in Petrograd went on strikewent on strike


Thousands of other workers joined the Thousands of other workers joined the strike, paralysing Petrogradstrike, paralysing Petrograd

The Duma decided to take control The Duma decided to take control (reluctantly); the Tsar sent a message (reluctantly); the Tsar sent a message from the front that the Duma was to from the front that the Duma was to be dissolved. be dissolved.

The Duma refused to disband and The Duma refused to disband and declared itself the ‘Provisional declared itself the ‘Provisional Government’ (like National Assembly)Government’ (like National Assembly)

February RevolutionFebruary Revolution

A revolution had therefore occurred. A revolution had therefore occurred. At the same time, a ‘Soviet’ of soldiers, At the same time, a ‘Soviet’ of soldiers,

sailors and workers was formed in Petrogradsailors and workers was formed in Petrograd The Tsar attempted to reach Petrograd by The Tsar attempted to reach Petrograd by

train but the railways were no longer under train but the railways were no longer under loyalist control. He was faced with the loyalist control. He was faced with the situation and agreed to abdicate in favour of situation and agreed to abdicate in favour of his brother. Michael refused and the his brother. Michael refused and the Romanov Dynasty had come to an end!Romanov Dynasty had come to an end!

Why did the February Why did the February Revolution happen?Revolution happen?

The Tsarist system collapsed upon The Tsarist system collapsed upon itself. A vacuum in government was itself. A vacuum in government was created. created.

The revolution was The revolution was spontaneousspontaneous Many professional revolutionaries Many professional revolutionaries

were taken by surprise were taken by surprise

kai 1 & 2. what was the nature of russia’s pre- revolutionary society? kai 1

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