Growth of Revolutionary Opposition
History: KS3, topic 17.2.1
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) began to grow in popularity among peasants and poor workers living in cities.
Workers' poor living conditions
- 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 power over their communities.
- The Romanov 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.
- 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
- Tsar Nicholas II repeated his desire for an 'absolute autocracy' when he came to power and people were clamouring for Russia to adopt a constitution and parliament.
- Nicholas II had a Ministerial Committee.
- As Russia's Finance Minister, Sergei Witte implemented many reforms and became Prime Minister in 1905.
The character of Tsar Nicholas II
- Tsar Nicholas II believed in divine right.
- The 'divine right of kings' means you believe a king/tsar has been chosen by God to rule.
- Tsar Nicholas II did not have much military experience but given his authority and belief in divine right, he decided to lead the military in World War 1.
- Nicholas II was not a very talented leader or statesman.
Tsar Nicholas II's absence
- Tsar Nicholas II spent lots of time in his Winter Palace and travelling to meet other royals.
- Nicholas II was pretty disinterested in Russia's domestic affairs and the concerns of the people and peasants.
Test yourself on Growth of Revolutionary Opposition
What caused discontent among Russians between 1890 and 1905?
Who were the Socialist Revolutionaries?
Who became the Russian Prime Minister in 1905?