RUSSIA REVISION

THE EXAM IS 1 HOUR 15 MINS.

There are 3 questions.Choose two.

35 MINS on each question.

The exam paper:

1a) ‘Explain why ....’ (12)b) ‘How successful....’ (24)

2a) ‘Explain why ...’ (12)b) ‘How important was ...’ (24)

3a) ‘Explain why ...’ (12)b) ‘How far did ...’ (24)

EXAMPLES a)

• ‘Explain why Alexander II emancipated the serfs’ (12)

• ‘Explain why revolution broke out in Russia in 1905’. (12)

• ‘Explain why a second revolution occurred in Russia in October 1917’. (12)

From the examiner:

• ‘QUESTIONS WILL BE PREDICTABLE’.

• The examiner has said that he expects you to plan your question a) like this:

Question a) Prioritise four or five factors:

• 1.

Why? questions

2.

3. 4.

Try to rank the factors

• FOCUS ON THE QUESTION...

• You MUST ‘Explain why....’ to gain a high level.

• EXAMPLE; ‘Therefore .... proved important / significant / vital / key in contributing to the revolution...’

12 marks: EXAMPLE MARKSCHEME:‘Explain Alexander II’s motives for the abolition of serfdom in 1861.’

LEVEL 1Generalised and descriptive; only loosely connected to the question (Brief points) (0-2) (U-E) LEVEL 2Some knowledge and understanding of question; may be able to support some explanations but only weakly. Limited range / depth of knowledge. (Eg ‘Alexander wanted to reform the country. He needed to emancipate the serfs to do this. He feared rebellion from the peasants and so gave them their own land’)(3-6) (E-D)LEVEL 3

Structured work; Relevant explanations supported by accurate information.A range of factors discussed; (without a ‘list approach’) – may include long term factors such as, for example, the need to solve the inefficiency and ‘flagrant evil’ of serfdom – (P.26.) - need for self preservation; economic; fear; desire to promote Russia’s Great Power status….(7-9) (C,B)LEVEL 4Well focused answers. Identify a range of reasons supported by precise evidence. Able to link events and issues. Well organised. A main motive may be identified and justification for this given

Eg ‘Political and economic‘ motives dominated Alexander II’s thinking ...’(10-12) (A)

EXAMPLES b)

• ‘How successful was Alexander II in overcoming opposition to his reign?’ (24)

• ‘How far had Alexander II achieved his reform objectives by 1881?’ (24)

• ‘How far, by 1894, had the tsarist regime been undermined by forces for change?’ (24)

• ‘How far had Russia industrialised by 1904?’ (24)• ’How important was the First World War in contributing to the

February Revolution?’ (24)• ‘How far had support for the Tsarist regime declined by the end

of 1916?’ (24)• ‘ How important was the role of Lenin in the October revolution

of 1917?’ (24)

•See last year’s exam paper

24 marks essays:

• USE THE SHEET WE READ LAST LESSON FROM THE EXAMINER:

• Introduction: Focus on the question; introduce three or four key factors.

• Debate: ‘However...’ ‘Nevertheless...’ ‘Yet...’ This is especially important for essays on the 1917 revolutions.

• AVOID: ‘I think...’; rather ‘there are several reasons why ....’

• Conclusion: ‘Therefore...’, ‘Finally...’ Reach a judgement.

24 marks: How successful were Alexander II’s reforms?

• Level 1: Generalised, descriptive answers loosely connected to the question (0-6)

• Level 2: Some understanding of the focus of the question; limited support given to comments; poorly structured (7-11)

• Level 3: Developed understanding of the question; some assessment supported by relevant, accurate evidence. Lacks depth or balance. Some organisation; clearly expressed. (12-16)

• Level 4: Explicit understanding of and focus on the question; balanced argument supported by relevant evidence; well organised (17-21)

• Level 5: • Well-focused, closely argued; supported by precise

and accurate evidence; carefully organised, fluently written, using appropriate vocabulary. Reaches a justified conclusion. (22-24)

WHAT HAVE I GOT TO REVISE FOR THE EXAM? KEEP IT SIMPLE:

• 1. ALEXANDER II 1855-81 • 'Tsar Liberator'; • a reformer; unrest and opposition begins to become organised. Alex. II

assassinated by a terrorist group: the 'People's Will'.

• 2. ALEXANDER III 1881-94 • A period of repression; • reform reversed. • At the same time, demands for further change. Unrest continues.

• 3. NICHOLAS II 1894-1917 • A period of industrialisation, unrest (1905) and war; against Japan in

1904 and the First World War in 1914. Reform (October manifesto). Two revolutions: February and October 1917.

• There are 5 key areas and several KEY QUESTIONS:

TOPICS YOU MUST REVISE

• 1. Alexander II (1855 – 1881):

• 1861 Emancipation plus further reforms.

• Why was it passed?

• What was passed?

• How far-reaching was this reform?

• Why were people dissatisfied with the reform?

• 2. Alexander II to Alexander III (1881 – 1894):

• What were the reasons for the growth of opposition during this period?

• 3. Nicholas II: (1894-1917)- The 1905 Revolution: causes, consequences.- How did the Tsarist regime survive from 1905-14? –Modernisation under Witte and Stolypin

• 4. Nicholas II:

• The February Revolution: causes: • World War One; failures of the Tsar; economic problems,

failure to reform.• Was this really a revolution or did Tsardom implode (‘collapse

from within’?)

• 5. Nicholas II: • The October Revolution • The Provisional Government, Feb. – Oct. 1917:Causes:

Lenin’s organisation, the failures of the Provisional Government, continuation of the War …

• 1. * ALEXANDER II; 1855-81.

A 'TSAR LIBERATOR'?

The Emancipation of the Serfs

- A MAJOR EXAM QUESTION.

• WHAT MOTIVATED HIS DESIRE FOR REFORM?

• WHAT FORM DID THIS TAKE?

• WAS IT A MAJOR SUCCESS?

Key terms

• Serf – peasant farmer• Emancipation – to set free• Liberator – a person who frees others• Slavophile - a person believing in Russian traditions

• Westerniser – a moderniser- one who looked to the west for ideas

So what exactly did Alexander wish to do?

Modernise Russia

ALEXANDER’S IDEAL RUSSIA ....

ECONOMICALLY ADVANCED; A

Great power; a rival to other

western nations.

EXISTING PROBLEMS: * The Crimean War had exposed Russia’s weaknesses... What

were they?- poor communications,

- inadequate munitions industries

- Bad and ineffective government

- Peasant uprisings

- Poor performing army

- Russia was seen to be hopelessly backward.

- CHANGE was called for by the Westernisers

The Emancipation Statute 1861: = The Abolition of Serfdom.

• (This claimed to free the serfs (they could marry whomsoever they wished, own property and set up their own businesses.)

• The serfs would be allocated their own land

• Landowners would be compensated by the state for their loss of land.

• LEARN THE TERMS CAREFULLY; PAGES 26-27

• From this, it was hoped, other problems would be solved and Russia would become modernised.

• Alexander believed that the way forward (modernisation and industrialisation), could only be achieved via the eradication (removal) of serfdom.

• Serfdom was what was stopping Russia’s future development and its ability to compete with the West.

The Emancipation Statute 1861:

The examiner expects you to know:• Why the statute was passed • The terms of emancipation

• The consequences of emancipation- were the peasants really free?

… consider Alexander II’s MOTIVES FOR REFORM of 1861.

See specimen paper 1a)

* WHY DID ALEXANDER II ABOLISH SERFDOM?

• In 1856 Tsar Alexander announced to the Moscow gentry:

• ‘It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to wait for it to begin to abolish itself from below. I ask you gentlemen to think of ways of doing this.’

WHAT DID HE MEAN?

1. *MOTIVES FOR REFORM?

Alexander’s motives; learn these!

• 1. FEAR & SELF PRESERVATION peasant revolts + further rebellion was feared

• 2. ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT / STATUS / CATCH UP WITH WEST

• 3. A ‘WESTERNISER’; genuine desire to see improvement (?) –support from war minister

• 4. FURTHER REFORM NEEDED eg the army so it made sense to give the peasants their freedom first

1. FURTHER REFORM: ALEX.IIsee p.29-33

What else did Alexander II introduce?• Army• Education• Local government; zemstva• Law• Censorship and press• NationalitiesWHY DISSATISFACTION?WHY DID OPPOSITION INCREASE?

What were the problems with the Emancipation Statute?

• See June 2009

• Question 01:

• ‘Explain why many Russians were dissatisfied with the decree emancipating the serfs in 1861.’ (12)

Question a) Prioritise four or five factors:

• 1.

Why? questions

2.

3. 4.

Question a) Prioritise four or five factors:

• 1.

Less land

than before

Why? questions

2.

Expectations

of free land

3. Inflated prices

charged 4. Poorest land; lost common

land.

‘Explain why many Russians were dissatisfied with the decree emancipating the serfs in 1861.’

• PLUS, NOBLES FEARED CHANGE AND WERE ALREADY IN DEBT.

• RESENTED THEIR LOSS OF FREE LABOUR AND FEUDAL TAXES.

*LIMITATIONS1861: Statute of Emancipation.The peasants were not given the right of private ownership; REDMPTION PAYMENTS CHARGEDThe commune (mir) held the title to all the land of a village. Landlords received inflated prices for land. Some peasants were left without access to water courses and meadows. Peasants had less land than before, poorer land. - Further land reform demanded. Kochan: ‘A terrible disappointment, perhaps even a fraud.’

PLUS:Zemstva: 40% = nobility. Local government only; a national assembly demanded. Police remained outside control of zemstvo; under control of Ministry of Interior.Law: Political cases were later removed from jurisdiction of courts.Finance: Poll tax remained a heavy burden on peasants; it increased by 80% in Alex’s reign.Education: Organisations banned after 1866

LEARN YOUR ESSAY: 24 marks: How successful were Alexander II’s reforms? PLAN

• Introduction: Alexander set out to achieve ………• Emancipation.... What was the impact of this?

Return to the question• Other reforms.... Discuss individually (try to link by

category; political, economic, social)• Conclusion? ... SUMMARISE: Politically? (Possibly not

intentional) Economic advancement? Social reform? In which AREA was there the greatest success from Alexander’s standpoint? (ECONOMIC) In which area were the reforms the most far-reaching? (POLITICAL)

SUMMARY

By the end of Alexander III’s reign, which reform do you think historians claim had been the most far-reaching? Explain your answer

In which AREA was there greatest success? (ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, SOCIAL?)

In your view, how successful was Alexander II overall? Refer back to his success criteria. Justify your answer.

‘Arguably, Alexander II was ..... ‘

In which area was there LEAST SUCCESS? Can you think of a reason why?

In your view, how successful was Alexander II overall? Refer back to his success criteria. Justify your answer.

CATEGORY EXAMPLE OPINION

ECONOMIC REFORM EMANCIPATIONRAILWAYS, COAL AND OILARMY (made more efficient)

The most successful from Alexander’s point of view …

However ….

POLITICAL REFORM EMANCIPATIONZEMSTVALEGAL REFROM

Whilst this might not have been Alexander’s intention, this was, arguably, the most far –reaching area of reform

SOCIAL REFORM EMANCIPATIONEDUCATION

Some improvement (limited) in education via the zemstva

*WHY DID OPPOSITION INCREASE?

Question a) Prioritise four or five factors:

• 1.

Why? questions

2.

3. 4.

*WHY DID OPPOSITION INCREASE?

• Reform did not go far enough for some people

• There was no attempt to offer people political reform in the form of an elected assembly

• The peasants were not given land –instead they had to pay for it

* WHY DID OPPOSITION INCREASE? – SEE YOUR SUMMARY SHEET

• 1. CHANGE IN DIRECTION: A challenge on the Tsar’s life in 1866; reforming ministers replaced with conservative ministers in the later 1860’s. Censorship returned; courts forced to try political cases without a jury.

• 2. DEPRESSION: World agricultural depression after 1875 plus poor harvests in 1879 and 1881.

• 3. EXPECTATIONS: Dissatisfaction with current reforms (give examples…) led to expectations of further reform being aroused; specifically, a constitution and a national assembly. Relaxation of censorship / political trials / student travel led to further calls for reform.

• What form did this opposition take?

Question a) Prioritise four or five factors:

• 1.

Why? questions

2.

3. 4.

24 marks essays:

• USE THE SHEET WE READ FROM THE EXAMINER:

• Introduction: Focus on the question; introduce three or four key factors.

• Debate: ‘However...’ ‘Nevertheless...’ ‘Yet...’ This is especially important for essays on the 1917 revolutions. FOCUS ON THE QUESTION

• AVOID: ‘I think...’; rather ‘there are several reasons why ....’

• Conclusion: ‘Therefore...’, ‘Finally...’ Reach a judgement.

Answers to test:

1. 1861

2. FEAR & SELF PRESERVATION peasant revolts + further rebellion was feared

ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT / STATUS / CATCH UP WITH WEST

A ‘WESTERNISER’; genuine desire to see improvement (?) –support from war minister

FURTHER REFORM NEEDED eg the army so it made sense to give the peasants their freedom first

3. (PAGE 26) Serfs were free to marry, own property and set up their own businesses. Serfs were allocated allotments of land. LAND had to be BOUGHT FROM THE NOBLES; redemption payments for 49 years at an interest rate of 6%; mir (commune) responsible for collection of payments; (heads of households). State serfs (worked on royal estates) had to wait until 1866 for their freedom but were given plots twice the size of ordinary serfs; domestic serfs who worked for the lord received no land, just their freedom.

4. Landowners often kept best land for themselves; land was over-valued to compensate the nobles; peasants lost 20-40% of the land including rights to woods, commons etc. plots of land were often too small to feed a peasant family or on soil too poor to do so.

• Consequence: LAND SHORTAGE; LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR PEASANTS TO INVEST IN THEIR LAND

• Land could be redistributed when the population rose; this meant that land could be taken in part from some peasants. Inefficient farming methods continued.

• 5. (P. 29-33)

ARMY; 6 years service + 9 years in reserve; 5 in militia

LOCAL GOVERNMENT; zemstva in charge of public health, prisons, roads, agriculture, relief of famine and some areas of education (but not the police). Dumas in the towns

LAW ‘ to establish in Russia courts of justice that are swift, fair, merciful, and equal for all our subjects’. (ALEX. II 1864) Juries; judges well paid; courts open to the public (Political cases later removed from the jurisdiction of these courts)

CENSORSHIP RELAXED

EDUCATION Pupils could go to grammar schools but must pay for them + the curriculum was controlled. Students allowed to travel abroad; poor exempt from university fees.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Railway network expanded; new areas for industry opened up.

NATIONALITIES Removed some restrictions on Jews, allowing them into higher education.

• a) 12 marks = explain why…….

• Why was there dissatisfaction with reforms of Alexander II? Why did opposition increase?

* WHY DID OPPOSITION INCREASE? – SEE YOUR SUMMARY SHEET

• 1. CHANGE IN DIRECTION: A challenge on the Tsar’s life in 1866; reforming ministers replaced with conservative ministers in the later 1860’s. Censorship returned; courts forced to try political cases without a jury.

• 2. DEPRESSION: World agricultural depression after 1875 plus poor harvests in 1879 and 1881.

• 3. EXPECTATIONS: Dissatisfaction with current reforms (give examples…) led to expectations of further reform being aroused; specifically, a constitution and a national assembly. Relaxation of censorship / political trials / student travel led to further calls for reform. (local zemstva … demand for elected NATIONAL assembly; MANY NOW WANTED A MORE RADICAL CHANGE IN HOW SOCIETY WAS ORGANISED)

• What form did this opposition take?

What form did this opposition take?

• 1. The Narodniks; see p.35 and student protest; see p.34-5 – some set up ‘LAND AND LIBERTY’

• 2. Terrorism; see p.37:

1866- attempt on the Tsar’s life; ‘Land and Liberty’ splits:

Black Repartition (MARXISITS) and The People’s Will(terrorism); assassination of Tsar Alex. II in 1881.

KEY THEMES 1881-1904

• Regime becomes more repressive

• Combines with industrialisation

• Creates more opposition

• MARXISM appealed to industrial workers andintelligentsia; naturally more radicalised anyway. Fitted in with increasing industrialisation in Russia and the idea of EXPLOITATION.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS

OPPOSITION UNTIL 1881?

• ON THE ONE HAND .....

• A series of assassinations: see page 37; Vera Zasulich shot Trepov, the Chief of police of St Petersburg

• Head of the third section assassinated

• Assassination of Alex. III 1881

• Therefore terrorism appeared to be increasing.

• NEVERTHELESS......

• System remained even if the Tsar had been assassinated

• Army and police remained loyal; refer back to the sources on the police powers over the People’s Will p.38.

• Land and Liberty split

• (Peoples Will / Black repartition)

• Most of Russian society remained conservative (peasants) or unpoliticised

CONCLUSIONS ....BE SPECIFIC ....

Therefore whilst .....

Nevertheless.... Therefore, in 1881 the tsarist regime was not seriously under threat.

ALEXANDER III 1881-94

ALEXANDER III

1881-94

THEMES:

repression; see p.44.

rise of opposition; see p.52-54.

= Chapter Three

• YOU MUST BE CLEAR OF THESE KEY DATES:

• Alexander II 1855-81 (assassinated)

• Alexander III= 1881-94• Nicholas II = 1894-1917

KEY POSITIVES ON ALEXANDER III’S REIGN

Refer to paragraphs 2 and 3 on page 45 which outline some of the reforms which were introduced during Alexander III’s

reign.

Alexander III did introduce some steps to improve the quality of rural life:

1. 1886 Poll tax was abolished

2. 1883 Peasants’ Land Bank set up to help peasants buy land from landlords.

(- Yet crop yields remained low and the MIR continued to control village life.)

You might be asked to discuss the period from 1894-1904 or to 1914.

• Witte was Minister of Finance from 1892-1903.

• Before him, there were two other Ministers of Finance.

• BUNGE 1881-1887: Attract investment; control

spending

• VYSHNEGRADSKY 1887-92: High taxation

Typical question:‘How important was the work of Vyshnegradsky and Witte in the

development of the Russian economy in the years 1881-

1904?’

‘HOW SUCCESSFUL’ QUESTIONS:

• Aims? – What did they set out to do?

• What did they do?

• What impact did it have?

• How successful?

• Did they achieve their aims?

THERE COULD BE A QUESTION ON THE ECONOMY FROM 1881-1914;

SEE JUNE 2009

• Page 46: Economic growth; highest growth rate of any of the world’s major economies by the end of the 19th Century.

This was credited to. – Count WITTE; Minister of Finance from 1893.

Increased foreign investment. Russia became the world’s fourth largest industrial economy.

Finances stabilised.

TRANSPORT

• Page 47: Railway expansion; aimed to unite the country, open up trade with Europe, China and the USA, develop Siberia’s mineral resources and promote the growth of Russian industry.

• Trans-Siberian Railway linked Russia and Far East

WITTE: How successful?

• Production increased in grain, and in industrial output. Foreign investment poured in. Percentage growth rate 1880-1914 = 3.5%.

• 1914: Ranked 2nd in world for oil production; 4th in gold mining.

• Railways expanded.

• × Heavy taxes imposed

• Dependent on foreign loans

• Railways incomplete by 1914

• Population increased therefore more production and output was needed to provide for this expansion.

• Comparing Russia with other European countries and the USA, regarding trade and national income, success is limited

NEGATIVESYOU HAVE NOTES UNDER FIVE HEADINGS: Famine.

• See ‘The 1891 famine’ pages 45-46 – why was this blamed on the government? What was the government’s response?

Conditions for urban workers.• See ‘the urban poor’ pages 47-48 and describe their conditions.Industry.• See ‘Was Russia becoming a modern industrialised state at the

end of the 19th century?’ page 49.Further Reform.• See ‘The Intelligentsia and the middle class’.The Nationalities and RussificationSee pages 50-51 ‘The Nationalities Question’.

• Conditions for Urban workers: slums

• Industry: In 1914 the number of factory workers was still less than 2% of the population.

• Most industrial production took place in small workshops in the countryside and towns. Many workers went back to their villages to help with the harvest every year.

• Reliance on foreign credit. • High military spending, therefore the economy was

designed for defence rather than to provide for the people – it was a ‘command economy’ therefore, rather than a ‘demand economy’.

• Oxley:‘The needs of ordinary Russians … were secondary’.

SUMMARY JUDGEMENT:

• Bromley: ‘By 1904 Russia was still well behind the western European powers in economic and social modernisation but had shown the capacity for startling change.’

How effective had Russian agrarian policy

been by 1904?

•THE PROBLEMS OF THE RURAL ECONOMY

•1881-1904.

RECAP:

• 1. Return to pages 16-17 of Oxley. KNOW what the MIR was.

• 2. Use page 45 of Oxley book What problems faced agriculture in the period 1881-1904?

...WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE MIR?

• The MIR was still an obstacle to the introduction of new methods, requiring the agreement of the entire village to introduce change. Russian crop yields were far below that of Western Europe.

• Although the emancipation of the serfs had achieved its short-term objective of managing a peaceful transition from serf to paid labour, the 1861 settlement had important shortcomings:

RURAL PROBLEMS: a summary

• 1. There remained inadequate land provision for the peasants in the first place and the terms on which peasants might acquire further land were poor.

• 2. There was a rural population explosion. Russia’s rural population more than DOUBLED from 1861-1913.

• 3. The inefficiency of Russian agriculture was exposed in the world depression in agricultural prices after 1879, when cheap US grain imports hit the European market. Russian estates were unprofitable and, as the nobility were seriously indebted anyway, investment was low.

• (SEE BROMLEY PAGES 73-74.)

• Witte’s progressive policies as Minister of Finance, contrasted sharply with the conservatism of the Ministry of the Interior.

• As the Ministry of the Interior was responsible for policy regarding the peasantry and therefore agriculture, this meant that Russia was being pulled in two directions at once in the 1880’s and 1890’s.

2 DIRECTIONS: INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE

• The Ministry of the Interior’s priority was rural peace. • To this end it maintained an unshakeable faith in the peasant

commune. (MIR)

• This made the Ministry largely unresponsive to new and unforeseen pressures in Russian agriculture.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS WAS?

GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS

• The government founded the Nobles’ Land Bank in 1882 (credit provided for nobles.)

• Peasants’ Land Bank created in 1885.

• Were these measures a SUCCESS?

... NO ....• Neither of these alleviated the pressure and the

situation was made more critical by Vyshnegradsky’s export drive in 1888.

• This coincided with world depression in agricultural prices.

Summary: The reign of Alexander III 1881-1894

• Russia entered the Twentieth

Century with a ‘semi industrialised economy and a better (but not adequate) base from which to prepare itself for the future’.

Tim Chapman.

STARVING RUSSIAN

PEASANT: ‘Is some of that for ME ‘Little father’?

See Jan 2010 qu. 1b)

‘HOW FAR WAS RUSSIA A MODERN INDUSTRIALISED STATE BY 1914?’

(24)

Plan for 24 marks

• To an extent ....

• For example ....

• Nevertheless....

• For example...

• To conclude.... (summary)

• Finally.... (judgement)

How far had the Russian economy advanced by 1914?

• Yes ...

• Industrial advancement

• No ...

• Agriculture...

• Remained the weak sector

OPPOSITION

1881-1905

Populists MarxistsMethods

Which groups were the future revolutionaries?

aims

Populists MarxistsTerrorism

Socialist Revolutionary Party (SRs) –set up in 1902

(page 53). Had its own ‘Combat’ terrorist wing; in 1904 blew up Plehve, the Tsar’s closest adviser and Minister of the Interior

Power gained via CLASS STRUGGLES.

1898: Russian Social Democratic Labour party (RSDLP) set up

Held its Congresses outside Russia; after 1903 this split into:

Bolsheviks and Mensheviks

(Lenin became leader of the Bolsheviks; believed in seizing power as quickly as possible)-P.55

Peasants Bourgeoisie (middle classes) would exploit the INDUSTRIAL workers (proletariat) p.54

A society based on village communes where all land was held in common control by the workers; a National assembly

An initial Dictatorship of the proletariatwould then lead to the creation of a classless, Communist society plus had an international vision – there would be world communism.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS

OPPOSITION BY 1894? (The start of Nicholas II’s

reign)

?• yes • no

?• Yes

• More organised;

• SR’s based on belief that peasants could be radicalised

• Beginnings of Marxist groups

• Terror

• No

• Disunited;

• Differing aims, objectives

• Tsar remained autocratic; support from army and police

• Conservatism

‘How far, by 1894, had the Tsarist regime been undermined by forces for change?’

• By 1894 new groups had emerged which represented Marxist tradition as well as those which emerged from Populism. The extent to which these groups undermined the tsarist regime is debatable. These opposition groups were becoming more organised in their approach and were united in their desire for radical reform. Nonetheless, no major rebellion had taken place by 1894 to undermine the tsarist regime and the regime itself still maintained the support of the church, police and army.

• JUDGEMENT

Nicholas II 1894-1917Themes:

• How did he maintain power after 1905?

• Why was there a revolution in Feb. 1917?

• Why was there a revolution just 8 months later?

• QUICK REVISION QUESTIONS:

• Why did the 1905 Revolution occur?

• What did the October Manifesto state?

• What did Nicholas II introduce in 1906?

• Who was won round by the October Manifesto? .... Who was not?

• How was Nicholas II able to survive this period?

• TIMELINE:

• 1904 – Russo-Japanese war

• 1905

• 1906

• 1911

• 1914

• 1915

• 1917

Causes of the 1905 Revolution

EXAMPLE QUESTION

‘Explain why revolution broke out in Russia in 1905’ (12)

‘Explain why revolution broke out in Russia in 1905’ (12)

DIVIDE CAUSES INTO

Long term

Medium term

Short term causes (triggers)+ Discuss the relative importance of these

The 1905 revolution:Nicholas II = 1894-1917

War with

Japan

Background In 1904/05 Russia

and Japan fought for

control of Korea and

Manchuria

The Tsar expected a

quick victory…

Russia suffered

defeats on Land and

sea.

Japan destroyed the

Russian Navy

ResultsTsar becomes more

unpopular

Russia is humiliated

Government seen to

be weak and

incompetent

Conditions for the

people get worse

Price rises; food

shortages and

unemployment

The 1905 Revolution

Bloody Sunday

Jan 1905: unarmed

workers march to

the Winter Palace

Demands - Better

living and working

conditions - end to

war - a parliament

Soldiers fire on

crowd killing 500?

200?

Tsar undermined

in the eyes of the

people

Support grows for

revolutionaries

set off a

‘REVOLUTION’: a

wave of riots,

mutinies, strikes,

peasant uprisings

and murders

Events Results

BLOODY SUNDAY AND REVOLUTION IN 1905

The demands made by Father George Gapon and the Assembly of Factory Workers.

(1) An 8-hour day and freedom to organize trade unions. (2) Improved working conditions, free medical aid,

higher wages for women workers. (3) Elections to be held for a constituent assembly by

universal, equal and secret suffrage.(4) Freedom of speech, press, association and religion.(5) An end to the war with Japan.

Causes:Long term causes:Autocratic rule; Emancipation and reform under

Alexander II was followed by repression under Alexander III;

Nicholas II refused to consider political reform; Fear was a continuing feature of tsarist rule due to the size of the country and its large population. Meanwhile, many groups called for further reform.

Industrialisation concentrated people in urban centres; some became receptive to radical ideas. Simmering discontent of peasants and workers at end of 19th century.

Medium term:Shortages and high food prices resulted causing unrest in the capital, St Petersburg.

• From 1899 Russia suffered a severe depression; produced unemployment and urban discontent; 1902-3 series of strikes. Assassination of Minister of Interior, Plehve. Peasant population rose; taxes had increased and arrears had grown. 1901 crop failure.Unsuccessful war with Japan; 1904-05; annihilation of Baltic fleet.

• Short term: Dec. 1904 strike at Putilov arms works in St Petersburg led to further sympathy strikes; by Jan. 12,000 workers were on strike.

• News of the fall of Port Arthur to Japan intensified agitation.Father Gapon, a priest and union leader, planned a worker procession for Sunday 9th Jan. to Winter palace to present Tsar with liberal petition. Troops fired on crowd; 200 killed (?); 800 wounded.

CONCLUSION:

The war exposed Tsar’s weaknesses;

BLOODY SUNDAY WAS THE CATALYST

Most important reason for failure of the 1905 revolution? –

compare with 1917:

1. Most of the armed forces stayed loyal to the Tsar

2. The workers’ strikes and the peasants’ uprisings were not co-ordinated; their aims were not those of revolutionaries – most of their demands centred on improved working conditions.No clear leader for the opposition

3. October Manifesto divided the opposition (some people were won round)

4. No major internal / external crisis eg war

Summary: Was the Tsar’s position secure by 1914?

See sources 19 and 20 page 76 and p.75.

Would have needed:• Co-ordinated opposition• A viable alternative to tsarist regime• Breakdown of military loyalty

in order to remove Tsar.

Therefore, regime was not on verge of collapse; revolution neither inevitable nor imminent. However, still relying on a NARROW BASIS OF SUPPORT. A crisis could unleash the various discontents in Russian society and lead to revolution. The decision to go to war in 1914 proved fatal.

Bloody Sunday leads to a wave of strikes and protests.

In the midst of all of this, the Tsar published a cautious schemefor a consultative assembly… but

unrest continued

OCTOBER MANIFESTO; 17 Oct. 1905

• 17 Oct. 1905: Witte made first Prime Minister.

Freedoms granted: speech, press; set up State Duma with powers to pass laws; elections were to include those who ‘at present’ did not have the franchise and accepted the ‘principle of universal suffrage’ in the future.

• Concessions = aimed to pacify liberals (Union of Unions set up in May 1905), and avert revolution after rebellion and unrest by town workers, peasants and members of the armed forces. (Peasant opposition organisations and St Petersburg Soviet also set up.)

• Tsar believed therefore, that he could gain support as he did, from liberal groups ‘Octobrists’ and ‘Kadets’. Revolutionaries such as the Bolsheviks would be isolated; fierce repression of further rebellions. (P.62.)

Results of 1905 Revolution- source 19 page 62

The October Manifesto – LEARN-1. Promised freedom of speech, right to form political parties

2. Established a Duma (parliament)

3. No new laws could be introduced without the consent of the Duma

Did the October Manifesto deliver?

…..Broken Promises -1. Voting system was unfair; the rich had more

influence than the poor2. Duma had little influence over the Tsar and

new laws3. First two Dumas were dismissed for

demanding reforms4. Further changes were introduced to excluded

socialists

Fundamental Laws

• Tsar could veto any legislative measures

• Tsar could dissolve Duma before end of its 5 Year term

• Tsar could issue laws under ARTICLE 87 when the Duma was in recess

• Tsar determined foreign policy, commanded armed forces, appointed all ministers and could declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY

(Plus Duma was by-passed by State Council.)

1905-1914THE ECONOMY: Witte and

Stolypin

• Debate ... Was Russia on the road to recovery before 1914?

• RECAP: Who was Witte? How successful was he?

• Complete your sheet on Stolypin; refer to page71.

STOLYPIN –repression and reform

• Minister of the Interior and Prime Minister from 1906-11.

• Repression + • Reform in countryside: State and Crown lands could

be bought by peasants; would create a richer layer of peasants (kulaks). They would be able to withdraw from the MIR and consolidate their strips. This meant they could try new agricultural techniques and grow what crops they wished.

• MOTIVES? – create a class of peasants who would be prosperous, generate more food and form a barrier to revolution via their support of the tsarist regime.

How successful were his reforms?

• See pages 70-71• Between 25-30% of peasants left the

mir / consolidated their strips by 1914.• BUT …. Reforms met with opposition

from many conservative peasants who preferred the security of the mir.

• Assassination of Stolypin in 1911 / The outbreak of war in 1914 put an end to reform.

1911-14; was the Tsar safe?

• 1912 Lena goldfields strike; 200 killed and 400 wounded. Strikes increased rapidly after this date.

• 1911 Stolypin shot. After this date, the government lacked direction and the Tsar undermined the role of the Prime Minister

• However, economic prosperity returned• Some reform; elected justices of the Peace were

restored in 1912; land captains’ powers reduced• Opposition remained divided; Liberals still feared

revolution and were therefore, unlikely to unite with the masses

• Industrial unrest largely confined to capital• Army appeared to be loyal

• How far, by 1914, had Nicholas II’s regime completely overcome the threat posed by the 1905 revolution?’ (24)

Had threats died down? – opposition? Industrialisation? Stolypin? Duma?

• yes; threats overcome / no; regime seriously threatened

YES-overcome threat NO- still threatsDisunited opposition with differing

aims; swiftly repressed after 1905

Liberals / Middle classes essentially

appeased by Duma. Many left wing

parties illegal and Duma represented

conservative interests.

Stolypin’s ‘necktie’; 1906-07; over

1,000 executed. Searches, arrests,

censorship.

Agrarian reform; in 1906 he made 6

million hectares of state and Crown

land available for peasant purchase.

Yields increased. Passed Land Law

abolishing Redemption Payments;

granted right to leave Commune.

No major rebellions; strikes dropped

dramatically 1905-10

Industry recovered after 1908 and

underwent enormous expansion after

1910. Economic prosperity

Peasants opposed Stolypin’s reform;

believed in Commune (mir)

Land hunger a major problem due to

increased population; rose 21%

between 1900-10. Peasant discontent.

Rising expectations.

Low wages, long hours, poor housing

in cities; strikes returned in 1911.

Middle classes / liberals left

disillusioned with Duma by 1911;

Electoral Law 1907 removed

opposition to Tsarist regime.

Tsar unpopular; inspired little loyalty

even amongst Court

Conclusions

1905-14 =

a period of repression combined with reform under Stolypin. There was discontent … but no major rebellions, either in cities or countryside. There were, with the absence of reform, rising calls for revolution after 1911. Nonetheless, in 1914, the Tsar’s position seemed strong and opposition was not united. However, clearly the regime had not ‘completely overcome’ opposition.’

1917• TWO REVOLUTIONS

• Normally, ONE revolution is selected; either Feb or Oct.

Causes: 1917Factors for Feb Factors for Oct

•LONG TERM

•MEDIUM TERM

•SHORT TERM

What led to the February revolution?KEY WAR FACTORS : 1914-17

• P = personalities…. Tsar, Tsarina, Rasputin

• A = army… defeats, shortages

• G = government … initial support, suspension, loss of faith.

• E = economy …. Poor communications, shortages on the home front and at war

‘How important was the First world War in contributing to the Russian revolution of February /

March 1917.’

• Introduction; February revolution occurred as the result of several factors ….

• Military

• Economic

• Political• Main Factor: WAR: 1914-17.

• RETURN TO THE YEAR 1914: Tsar already unpopular + the stability of the regime in 1914 was not guaranteed. Nonetheless, when war broke out, the Tsar had the opportunity to unite opposition and recover himself.... YET...... CLEAR CHRONOLOGY NEEDED OF THE WAR WHILST A FOCUS ON FACTORS OF IMPORTANCE:

• PAGE: personalities / army / government / economy

Feb.1917Long term: Tsar’s unpopularity + economic instability; lack of reform1. WAR in 1914 – but Duma supportive of the Tsar at this stage2. DUMA fragments; Tsar goes to the FRONT3. TSAR; his wife and Rasputin….4. ECONOMIC DISCONTENT

…. Leads to: 23rd. Feb. 1917 … Strikes; …. Soviet + Duma. - March 1st: Meet together.

2nd March Tsar abdicates

Key difference with 1905?ARMY DID NOT REMAIN LOYALPages 77-86- most important cause? –

WAR

• Military problems; p.78;

• shortages; p.79. & P 81;

• inflation, food shortages; fuel shortages as a result of the war;

• see Lynch: ‘What destroyed tsardom was the length of the war….The cumulative effect of a long drawn-out struggle proved too disastrous to be borne.’

+ The Tsar and his government

• ‘Nonetheless ....’..... briefly REFER BACK to earlier examples of unpopularity / poor leadership eg. 1905 revolution and Lena goldfields massacre, 1912.

•

• THE ROLE OF THE TSAR IN THE WAR:

• Refer to Buchanan and Chapter 4 pages 80-89.

• - 1915; decision to go to Front; closure of Duma August 1915 after the formation of the Progressive Bloc;p81 OXLEY: ‘by this one decision Nicholas managed to alienate responsible people right across the political spectrum.’ (Opened again in Nov. 1916). See source 27, PAGE 80.

• Reliance on Rasputin and Alexandra.

• LYNCH: ‘Even the staunchest supporters of tsardom found it difficult to defend a system which allowed a nation in the hour of its greatest trial to fall under the sway of a debauched monk.’

DON’T FORGET ….

• What actually took place in February 1917?

• What triggered the revolution?

• See your sheet from ‘impact of WWI’ to ‘Events of the revolution’.

• Conclusion;

• DISCUSSION and JUDGEMENT –

• To what extent could a better tsar have achieved victory in the war or at least ensured better communication organisation / food supplies?

• Was the war more significant than the tsar’s failings? Are the two interlinked?

• Did the war reveal the Tsar’s short-comings or were these already apparent prior to 1914?

• (Would revolution have occurred without the war?)

• Be specific

• Focus on the question

• Avoid generalisations

• Avoid ‘I think...’

• Organise your ideas coherently

• Debate: ‘Arguably in 1914 the economy was already showing signs of weakness... ‘Nevertheless....

• (Make a point and explain it.)

Historians’ verdicts on Feb:

• McCauley: ‘spontaneous’ revolution- an expression of exasperation at the shortages brought about by war.

• Service: disenchantment with Nicholas II came from the repressed workers and had infected the high command. ‘No civilian or military group wanted autocracy preserved.’

• Wood: Not the Duma politicians, military or revolutionary parties - came from the ‘politically radicalised masses’.

• Read: crucial difference with 1905: Then the elite then had fallen in line behind the Tsar. ‘In 1917 most of the elite abandoned the monarch’.

• Lynch: ‘What destroyed tsardom was the length of the war’.

• DEBATE: example

• ‘Initially the war appeared to be going well and at first the Tsar was given a vote of confidence from the Duma and the people fell to their knees in support as he stepped onto the balcony at St. Petersburg. But as the war progressed the people lost their faith in the Tsar ....

• On the other hand, the war was not the only reason for the revolution. Russia’s political, social and economic status before the outbreak of war in 1914 was debateable. ...Timasheff argues that Russia was on its way to becoming stable because of its developing economy and the land reforms of Stolypin. Nonetheless, Service insists that Tsarism was doomed to fail. He argues that political opposition was too strong and the conflict between the nationalities was becoming too great. Lynch argues that the war was crucial in exposing the Tsar’s weaknesses, referring to Nicholas as an ‘incompetent’ tsar who presided over a dislocated communications system , soaring inflation, death and casualties, hunger and deprivation. This led to a loss of morale and ‘a sense of hopelessness that fundamentally undermined the once-potent myth of the tsar’s God-given authority. By 1917 the tsarist regime had forfeited all claim to the loyalty of the Russian people.’

• focus on the question; be decisive without generalising:

• ‘Arguably, it could be seen as the Tsar’s unpopularity and failure to work with the people to improve Russia’s situation that led to the revolution of 1917.’

• ‘He made fatal errors when mismanaging the situation of war. His unwillingness to consider change in how Russia was run, and refusal to abandon absolute autocracy, as well as his refusal to listen to anyone willing to help him, ultimately led to his downfall and abdication during the war.’

• Conclusion: BE DEFINITE

• The economy was making significant progress;

• ‘this could have led to all classes regaining their faith in the Tsar and as such have avoided a revolution. But the war reversed conditions and led to a severe loss of faith and morale in all Russian people and as such this was the prime factor in causing the February 1917 revolution.’

• http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/russia/impact_wwi.shtml

24 MARK ESSAY

• EXAM IS 1 HOUR 15 MINS.

• CHOOSE TWO OF THREE QUESTIONS

• 24 MINS ON EACH 24 MARKER

• 12 MINS ON EACH 12 MARKER

• ‘How important was the war against Austria and Germany in contributing to the revolution of February 1917?’

• (24)

BIG QUESTION: Why was there a second revolution

only a few months after the first revolution in February?

OCTOBER 1917:• Bolsheviks seize power from the Provisional

government .... WHY?

• WHAT FACTORS LAY BEHIND THIS SECOND REVOLUTION?

• ... Leadership and organisation of Lenin?

• ... Continuation of the war and further defeats?

• ... Refusal by the Provisional Government to hold elections?

October CHAPTER FIVE: TWO MAIN FACTORS

FOR OCTOBER?

• Lenin and Bolshevik organisation

V• The failures of the Provisional

Government

• The Tsar had been removed because he failed

to listen.

• The war was causing massive loss of life and

hardship.

• What should the Provisional Government do to solve the problems facing Russia?

- the unrest?

- the war?

- the lack of food?

3 PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT:

•END TO THE WAR

•FOOD DISTRIBUTION

•ELECTIONS

• ..... but ......

Results of February Revolution

The Provisional Government:

1. A 12 member government led by Prince Lvov and then Alexander Kerensky

2. Planned to rule until elections could be held

The Petrograd Soviet:

A council of 2,500 deputies.

Determined to share power with the Provisional Government

KNOW

ORDER NO.1.

Dual Government

DUAL AUTHORITY

…. Plus …..

•Lenin:

•‘peace, bread and land.’

October CHAPTER FIVEProv. Govt. = ‘Dual Power’ under Prince Lvov (Kadet). Kerensky = Minister of War (SR)

• Order No. 1 issued by Soviet (P.94)• Failure to solve problems of land, war, food, elections. (P.95- 96) • Return of Lenin from Switzerland 3 April 1917; April Theses; demanded

end to war; ‘Peace, Bread and Land’; ‘All Power to the Soviets’.• Kerensky’s failed June Offensive; p.97• July Days; protests demonstrate support for Soviets (Lenin fled to Finland.)• August: Kornilov Coup; Kerensky and the Soviet armed the workers of

Petrograd to protect the capital, Petrograd.• Turmoil and discontent continued; Bolshevik propaganda; strikes;

peasants’seizure of land• Some Mensheviks joined Bolsheviks; p.103• Lenin returned from Finland in Oct. Argued for immediate rising as

Kerensky attempted to move against the Bolsheviks.• October Revolution: P.106• MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR? Read again p. 109-111.

• ESSAY: learn key facts:

• Dual Authority from the start undermined the PG

• WAR made impossible the organisation of elections, land redistribution. Became particularly apparent after the failed June offensive

• Protests therefore continued due to shortages; men deserted

• Bolshevik leadership under Lenin exploited these weaknesses; ‘April Theses’ insisted on revolution; slogans: ALL POWER TO THE SOVIETS/ PEACE, BREAD AND LAND; support from soldiers and sailors in the capital; Trotsky appointed to organsie the revolution

• LUCK and chance; KORNILOV COUP after the July Days and Lenin’s exile allowed the Bolsheviks to appear as the saviours of Russia

• ANALYSIS; KEEP RETURNING TO THE QUESTION;

• Conclusion must summarise the key factors; Then assess:

• to what extent was the PG doomed from the start? Might they have succeeded if the June Offensive had worked? How much was October

down to Lenin’s determination and leadership? (‘This was key... highly significant ... a turning point because...’)

• ... Whilst the WAR certainly ensured that the PG’s ability to solve Russia’s problems was made very difficult, it was Lenin’s determination to exploit the weaknesses that were apparent that enabled the Bolsheviks to take power.

• The Revolution turned out to be a very quiet affair, proving that the PG had already lost much of its power due to the continuation of the war and its failure to tackle the problem of shared power with the Soviet.

• http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/russia/october1917.shtml

Obvious reminders• READ THE QUESTION

• PLAN.

• Ensure you refer to the time periodallocated.

• Justify conclusions; DON’T SIMPLY SUMMARISE

• Timing: 35 MINS ON EACH QUESTION.

Key words and terms

DO NOT ABBREVIATE!!PEOPLE:• Alexander II; Pobedonostev; Witte; Stolypin;

Rasputin; The Tsarina; Kerensky; Kornilov; Lenin.

TERMS:• Emancipation; Okhrana; April These;

Intelligentsia; Soviet; Mir; Romanov Dynasty; Zemstva; Provisional Government; Narodniks; October manifesto; Constitution;

• Populists; Duma

KEY DATES• 1855: Alexander II ascended to throne• 1861: Emancipation Proclamation• 1866: First attempt on Tsar’s life by a

university student (P.35)• 1881: Alexander II assassinated / Alex.

III• 1886: poll tax abolished for peasants• 1883: Peasants land bank created• 1894: Alex. III died / Nicholas II• 1898: Russian Social Democratic labour party

formed (Marxists Bolsheviks)• 1904-5: Russo-Japanese War

• 1905: Bloody Sunday / October manifesto• 1906: Fundamental Laws

Stolypin became Minister of the Interior(p.70-72)

• 1907: Electoral Law• 1911: Stolypin assassinated• 1912: Lena goldfields massacre• 1914: Outbreak of WWI• 1915: Tsar went to Front / suspension of

Duma (P.80) / anti-German riots in Moscow• 1916: Rasputin murdered / failed Brusilov

offensive• 1917: Feb. / Oct. Revolution

• http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/alevel/modern_european_russian.shtml

24 marks: AS RUSSIA ESSAYS:‘How far... /How successful.... /How important ....?’

• Level 1: Generalised, descriptive answers loosely connected to the question (0-6)

• Level 2: Some understanding of the focus of the question; limited support given to comments; poorly structured (7-11)

• Level 3: Developed understanding of the question; some assessment supported by relevant, accurate evidence. Lacks depth or balance. Some organisation; clearly expressed. Some understanding of varying interpretations. (12-16)

• Level 4: Explicit understanding of and focus on the question; balanced argument supported by relevant evidence; well organised. A good understanding of historical interpretations. (17-21)

• Level 5: Well-focused, closely argued; arguments supported by precise and accurate evidence leading to a relevant judgement incorporating a well-developed understanding of historical interpretations and debate. Answers will show appropriate use of vocabulary, will be carefully organised, fluently written. (22-24)

• For debate: USE CONNECTIVES: ‘Nonetheless,... However....Additionally .... Conversely.... Nevertheless.... Furthermore.... ‘

Criteria for deciding marks within a level:

• The accuracy of factual information.• The level of detail• The depth and precision displayed• The quality of links and arguments• The quality of written communication (grammar, spelling,

punctuation and legibility; an appropriate form and style of writing; clear and coherent organisation of ideas, including the use of specialist vocabulary)

• Appropriate references to historical interpretation and debate

• The conclusion

http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/pdf/AQA-EX-ANSWER-STUDENT-GUIDE.PDF

• http://store.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/pdf/AQA-HIS1H-W-QP-JUN09.PDF

• GOOD LUCK

•

• THINK OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAY COMING UP

•