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

1.1.1Industrialisation

1.1.2Living & Working Conditions

1.2Nicholas II's Autocracy & the Court

1.2.1Growth of Revolutionary Opposition

1.2.2The 1905 Revolution & the October Manifesto

1.2.3Reforming Russia Before 1914 - Stolypin

1.2.4The Duma & Political Stalemate

1.3The First World War

1.3.1The Impact of Military Defeats

1.3.2Social & Economic Effects of WW1

1.3.3Romanov Unpopularity

1.3.4The Tsar's Abdication

1.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - The End of Tsardom

2Lenin's New Society

2.1The Provisional Government

2.1.1The Failure of the Government

2.1.2Social & Economic Problems

2.1.3Lenin & Trotsky

2.1.4The Growth of the Bolsheviks

2.1.5The October / November Revolution

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - The Provisional Government

2.2The Impact of Lenin's Dictatorship

2.2.1The End of the First World War

2.2.2The Cheka

2.2.3Red Terror & Centralisation

2.2.4The Civil War & The Red Army

2.2.5Propaganda

2.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Early Bolshevism & the Civil War

2.3Social & Economic Developments

2.3.1War Communism

2.3.2The Kronstadt Rising

2.3.3The New Economic Policy (NEP)

2.3.4The Achievements of Lenin & Trotsky

2.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Social & Economic Developments

3Stalin's USSR

3.1Stalin the Dictator

3.1.1The Power Struggle to Succeed Lenin

3.1.2The Communist Party & Government

3.1.3The Terror & the Purges

3.1.4The Secret Police

3.1.5Cult of Personality

3.1.6Propaganda & Censorship under Stalin

3.1.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Stalin's Dictatorship

3.2Stalin's Modernisation of the USSR

3.2.1Collectivisation

3.2.2Five Year Plans

3.2.3Social & Economic Consequences

3.2.4Social & Economic Consequences 2

3.2.5The Extent of Modernisation

3.3Impact of the Second World War

3.3.1Stalin's Wartime Leadership

3.3.2Political, Economic & Social Consequences of War

3.3.3Top Grade AO2/3 - Modernisation of the USSR

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