1
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION c.
1894-1917
(European Option: Modern Europe, 1789-1917)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
TIMELINE
• NOV 1894-Nicholas II becomes Tsar
• FEB 1904-Start of Russo-Japanese War
• JAN 1905-Start 1905 Rev.
• OCT 1905-October Manifesto Issued
• NOV 1905-Sergei Witte becomes prime minister
• APR 1906-Duma introduced
• JUL 1906-Stolypin becomes prime minister
• SEP 1911-Stolypin assassinated
• JUL 1914-Start WWI
• MAR 1917-Nicholas II abdicates + Prov. Gov. established
• OCT 1917-Oct Rev. led by Lenin
• JUL 1918-Nicholas + family murdered by Bolsheviks
Summary
From 1894 Russia ruled by Tsar Nicholas II (Absolut Monarch + unlimited power). Nicholas
determined to model Gov. just like Alexander III (his father). Nicholas badly educated +
chose ministers that bad at job (exception = Sergei Witte). Nick had support Russian nobility
+ full authority of Orthodox Church.
Peasants + workers dissatisfied with conditions causing Rev 1905. Troubles spread to middle
classes. Army saved Nicholas II but didn’t do reforms.1906-1914 army + police maintained
order while opposition groups (divided and disorganised).
1914 WWI most supported countries involvement. Drastic defeat due to obsolete and
outdated army caused national morale to suffer. Nicholas went to front lines to control his
army, backfired. Nicholas bad general and nobody capable of governing in his place.
Nicholas lost support + FEB 1917 Rev broke out and Nicholas abdicated.
Throughout 1917 chaos continued. Prov. Gov. led by Alexander Kerensky faced problems
over distribution of land + devastation of war. NOV 1917 Vladimir Lenin led Bolsheviks to
,2
overthrow Gov. Bolsheviks governed Russia 1917-24, ended war with Germany, set up 1
party state + economic changes. Civil war broke out 1918-21.
Russia beginning 20th century
Many different ethnic groups, languages, religion at the time. Nicholas II alienated different
ethnic groups because of Russification – enforcing Russian language + orthodox religion
throughout. Not so many loyal to Tsar anymore.
Second half of 19th Century 10% lived in urban + earned living from trade, industry,
government service.
Who was Nicholas II?
Nicholas II (18 May 1868 to 17 July 1918) was last Emperor of Russia, ruling 1 Nov. 1894
until abdication 15 March 1917. Carried out anti-Semitic pogroms, Bloody Sunday during
1905 Rev, executions of political opponents and caused Russo-Japanese War. Given
nickname “Nicholas the Bloody”, Soviet Historians portray him as a weak leader who caused
military defeats and the deaths of millions. Estimated that 3,300,000 Russians killed in WWI.
Following February Revolution 1917, Nicholas abdicated on behalf of himself and his son. He
was imprisoned with his family and sent to Tobolsk and then Ekaterinburg (Ural) April 1918.
Eventually killed by Bolshevik guards 16 July 1918. Remains buried St. Petersburg 80 years
later.
Social hierarchy in Russia
Vast majority = peasants. Most burdened to their land with high taxes. Most peasants liked
Tsar but hated tax collectors. Peasants rioted in protest to burdens (non-Rev). Their aims
were social + economic changes. No political parties in Russia. Scattered groups wanted
change + some extremists overthrow tsar. Until the 1880s peasants paid poll tax + tax on
vodka + goods, nobility exempt. Peasantry liable long periods of military service, couldn’t
travel to other part of country without passport. Peasants had to buy freedom.
Emancipation gave peasants freedom but poor land. Productivity was very low. Gov tried to
keep peasantry isolated and ignorant.
Money invested into improving industry rather than agriculture. Condition of peasantry
perhaps Russia’s most serious problem. Famines frequent because poor transport, Gov.
couldn’t disperse excess food across Russia. Widespread poverty + production low. Peasants
encouraged to move from West (problems worse) to Siberia (lots of land). 1893 Land Bank
founded to give locals money to buy land. 1905 redemption payments cancelled (made little
difference). Harsh climates + poor communication made difficult attract migrant Labour.
, 3
Economic structure
Several factors that affected economy:
• Agricultural methods underdeveloped (nobody interested in modernising). structure
• Profits from wheat exports bad as Gov. inefficient to impose taxes on landowners.
• Russia lacked railway. By 1910 more built but not effective for Russia’s size.
• Work in factories during 1890s unproductive due to illiteracy.
Expanded railway system, increased industry helped Russia export more wheat, benefited
foreign trade. Money not shared equally. Taxes affected peasantry and the poor who lived
in towns. E.g. Just like in France before 1789 Wealthier classes taxed less or not at all.
Tax collection system corrupt as money disappeared into pockets of collectors before reach
central gov. Money spent on improving army and police instead of economy. Nicholas II not
interested in modernisation + reform, committed to autocracy instead. Result caused
people to feel alienated from Tsar.
Causes + Immediate outcomes of 1905 Revolution
Position + policies of Nicholas II
Nicholas believed that reforms by grandfather Alexander II weakened Russia. 1894 Zemstva
continued to have power. Konstantin fully supported Nick’s rule.
Nicholas was kind man. Alexandra and son with haemophilia questioned who replace him
when he dies.
Nicholas not educated but could speak many languages. Called Russian, “language of
peasants”. Wasn’t effective ruler as:
• Isolated at court, uninterested in Gov., preferred to go hunting than meetings.
• Could change mind easily
• He chose Ministers cause of social reasons rather than their abilities. They Competed
for attention of Tsar.
State council had no powers. Members gave advice that believed that Tsar would like.
Limited power of Zemstva allowed governors to take control + follow policies of no reform.
Russia less efficient than other powers + disorganised.
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION c.
1894-1917
(European Option: Modern Europe, 1789-1917)
(Cambridge International AS and A level History 9389)
TIMELINE
• NOV 1894-Nicholas II becomes Tsar
• FEB 1904-Start of Russo-Japanese War
• JAN 1905-Start 1905 Rev.
• OCT 1905-October Manifesto Issued
• NOV 1905-Sergei Witte becomes prime minister
• APR 1906-Duma introduced
• JUL 1906-Stolypin becomes prime minister
• SEP 1911-Stolypin assassinated
• JUL 1914-Start WWI
• MAR 1917-Nicholas II abdicates + Prov. Gov. established
• OCT 1917-Oct Rev. led by Lenin
• JUL 1918-Nicholas + family murdered by Bolsheviks
Summary
From 1894 Russia ruled by Tsar Nicholas II (Absolut Monarch + unlimited power). Nicholas
determined to model Gov. just like Alexander III (his father). Nicholas badly educated +
chose ministers that bad at job (exception = Sergei Witte). Nick had support Russian nobility
+ full authority of Orthodox Church.
Peasants + workers dissatisfied with conditions causing Rev 1905. Troubles spread to middle
classes. Army saved Nicholas II but didn’t do reforms.1906-1914 army + police maintained
order while opposition groups (divided and disorganised).
1914 WWI most supported countries involvement. Drastic defeat due to obsolete and
outdated army caused national morale to suffer. Nicholas went to front lines to control his
army, backfired. Nicholas bad general and nobody capable of governing in his place.
Nicholas lost support + FEB 1917 Rev broke out and Nicholas abdicated.
Throughout 1917 chaos continued. Prov. Gov. led by Alexander Kerensky faced problems
over distribution of land + devastation of war. NOV 1917 Vladimir Lenin led Bolsheviks to
,2
overthrow Gov. Bolsheviks governed Russia 1917-24, ended war with Germany, set up 1
party state + economic changes. Civil war broke out 1918-21.
Russia beginning 20th century
Many different ethnic groups, languages, religion at the time. Nicholas II alienated different
ethnic groups because of Russification – enforcing Russian language + orthodox religion
throughout. Not so many loyal to Tsar anymore.
Second half of 19th Century 10% lived in urban + earned living from trade, industry,
government service.
Who was Nicholas II?
Nicholas II (18 May 1868 to 17 July 1918) was last Emperor of Russia, ruling 1 Nov. 1894
until abdication 15 March 1917. Carried out anti-Semitic pogroms, Bloody Sunday during
1905 Rev, executions of political opponents and caused Russo-Japanese War. Given
nickname “Nicholas the Bloody”, Soviet Historians portray him as a weak leader who caused
military defeats and the deaths of millions. Estimated that 3,300,000 Russians killed in WWI.
Following February Revolution 1917, Nicholas abdicated on behalf of himself and his son. He
was imprisoned with his family and sent to Tobolsk and then Ekaterinburg (Ural) April 1918.
Eventually killed by Bolshevik guards 16 July 1918. Remains buried St. Petersburg 80 years
later.
Social hierarchy in Russia
Vast majority = peasants. Most burdened to their land with high taxes. Most peasants liked
Tsar but hated tax collectors. Peasants rioted in protest to burdens (non-Rev). Their aims
were social + economic changes. No political parties in Russia. Scattered groups wanted
change + some extremists overthrow tsar. Until the 1880s peasants paid poll tax + tax on
vodka + goods, nobility exempt. Peasantry liable long periods of military service, couldn’t
travel to other part of country without passport. Peasants had to buy freedom.
Emancipation gave peasants freedom but poor land. Productivity was very low. Gov tried to
keep peasantry isolated and ignorant.
Money invested into improving industry rather than agriculture. Condition of peasantry
perhaps Russia’s most serious problem. Famines frequent because poor transport, Gov.
couldn’t disperse excess food across Russia. Widespread poverty + production low. Peasants
encouraged to move from West (problems worse) to Siberia (lots of land). 1893 Land Bank
founded to give locals money to buy land. 1905 redemption payments cancelled (made little
difference). Harsh climates + poor communication made difficult attract migrant Labour.
, 3
Economic structure
Several factors that affected economy:
• Agricultural methods underdeveloped (nobody interested in modernising). structure
• Profits from wheat exports bad as Gov. inefficient to impose taxes on landowners.
• Russia lacked railway. By 1910 more built but not effective for Russia’s size.
• Work in factories during 1890s unproductive due to illiteracy.
Expanded railway system, increased industry helped Russia export more wheat, benefited
foreign trade. Money not shared equally. Taxes affected peasantry and the poor who lived
in towns. E.g. Just like in France before 1789 Wealthier classes taxed less or not at all.
Tax collection system corrupt as money disappeared into pockets of collectors before reach
central gov. Money spent on improving army and police instead of economy. Nicholas II not
interested in modernisation + reform, committed to autocracy instead. Result caused
people to feel alienated from Tsar.
Causes + Immediate outcomes of 1905 Revolution
Position + policies of Nicholas II
Nicholas believed that reforms by grandfather Alexander II weakened Russia. 1894 Zemstva
continued to have power. Konstantin fully supported Nick’s rule.
Nicholas was kind man. Alexandra and son with haemophilia questioned who replace him
when he dies.
Nicholas not educated but could speak many languages. Called Russian, “language of
peasants”. Wasn’t effective ruler as:
• Isolated at court, uninterested in Gov., preferred to go hunting than meetings.
• Could change mind easily
• He chose Ministers cause of social reasons rather than their abilities. They Competed
for attention of Tsar.
State council had no powers. Members gave advice that believed that Tsar would like.
Limited power of Zemstva allowed governors to take control + follow policies of no reform.
Russia less efficient than other powers + disorganised.
