1.2.1
Growth of Revolutionary Opposition
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Long-Term Discontent with the Tsarist Regime
There were a number of factors leading to long-term discontent with the tsarist regime.
Emergence of revolutionary groups
- The Socialist Revolutionaries (a radical political party), founded by Viktor Chernov began to grow in popularity among peasants and poor workers living in cities.
Workers' poor living conditions
- Count Witte's policy of industrialisation meant that lots of workers moved to cities for work. People often lived in cramped houses, but this was probably a better existence than living as a serf.
- A quarter of a million people moved to St. Petersburg between 1890 and 1900.
- With not enough housing being built, more and more people lived in a fixed number of houses and living conditions fell.
National minorities in Russia
- Russia contained a very diverse group of peoples.
- The Slavs, the Finns, the Jews, and the Poles all lived in different areas, had different lifestyles and all wanted more autonomy (power over their communities).
- The Romanav Tsars' policy of Russification involved forcing everyone in schools to speak Russian. This was hated by different local communities.
The 1899-1902 Russian recession
- Between 1899 and 1902 the Russian economy contracted and industry struggled.
- There were bad harvests, which meant there was not enough food.
- Foreign investors stopped investing money in Russia (as happened in Germany in the 1920s after the Great Depression).
- Unemployment rose and as living standards fell, workers became more open to the ideas of communism.
Problems with Tsar Nicholas II and his Court
Tsar Nicholas II's coronation happened formally in 1896.
Autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II
- He reiterated his desire for an 'absolute autocracy' when he came to power and people were clamouring for Russia to adopt a constitution and parliament.
- He had a Ministerial Committee and Sergei Witte implemented many reforms as Russia's Finance Minister and then Prime Minister from 1905.
The character of Tsar Nicholas II
- Tsar Nicholas II believed in divine right and that he had been chosen by God to rule Russia.
- Tsar Nicholas II was not experienced in military matters, however, given his authority and belief in divine right, he opted to lead the military in World War 1.
- He was not a particularly talented leader or statesman. He allegedly sacked people in his ministerial cabinet by sending them letters.
- Tsar Nicholas II spent lots of time in his Winter Palace and travelling to meet other royals, but was pretty disinterested in Russia's domestic affairs and the concerns of the people and peasants.
1The End of Tsardom
1.1Russia's Economy & Society
1.2Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court
2Lenin's New Society
2.1The Provisional Government
2.2The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship
3Stalin's USSR
3.1Stalin the Dictator
3.2Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR
Jump to other topics
1The End of Tsardom
1.1Russia's Economy & Society
1.2Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court
2Lenin's New Society
2.1The Provisional Government
2.2The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship
3Stalin's USSR
3.1Stalin the Dictator
3.2Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR
Practice questions on Growth of Revolutionary Opposition
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What caused discontent among Russians between 1890 and 1905?Fill in the list
- 2Who were the Socialist Revolutionaries?Multiple choice
- 3How did Nicholas II fire ministers?Multiple choice
- 4Who became Russian Prime Minister in 1905?Multiple choice
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