Russia’s Political
Changes
Alaina Segura & Jill Maloney
From Empire to
Constitutional Monarchy
•
Before 1905, there was a period of economic unrest; the peasants (who made
up over 75% of the population) were going hungry. Famine plagued Russia and
the peasants wanted to own their own land. Others wanted political reform to
check the power of the Tsars who were abusing their power. There was mass
unemployment and the public was angry that Russia was dependent on French
loans. These loans caused a huge inflation that hurt the economy. Workers
wanted better wages, shorter workday hours, and better working conditions.
The workers went on strike which affected Russia’s economy. In effort to turn
attention away from himself, Tsar Nicholas II waged war against Japan in the
Russo-Japanese War. The Tsar saw Japan as a weak opponent; however,
Russia’s navy was promptly crushed by the Japanese. The public were outraged
by the loss. Many Russian soldiers started to mutiny or desert due to their
displeasure with the Tsar. The official start of the revolution came on Bloody
Sunday. Many workers went to the Winter Palace to demand changes. The
police opened fire on the protesters and killed over 1,000 people. All of these
events and issues lit the way for the Russian Revolution of 1905.
Effects of Revolution
Political- The Duma is created, although the Tsar
ultimately still holds the power and his command is
above the will of the Duma. The Duma is a
parliament institution that is supposed to reflect the
wants of the People. People can now elect
representatives to the Duma, although its power is
very limited.
Intellectual- Revolutionaries accounted for a few
intellectual innovations during this time. The
intellectual class started many underground
revolutionary groups. Populism was a new
intellectual innovation that was supported by the
peasants because it’s idea was that it would grand
the serfs equal land. Nihilism was a idea that the
church and the government had to be destroyed.
Religion- The religion of Russia was the Russian
Orthodox Church. They were mostly Christians.
The church was lead by the Tsar and he was assisted
by the Holy Synod. During and after the revolution,
many people grew angry with the church and called
for changes to end corruption.
Art & Architecture- A lot of the Art was
propaganda from the revolution. Most the
architecture was in the style of Art Noveau, which
was a stylistic movement at this time. After the
revolutions art, especially music and opera,
flourished in Russia.
Technology- Technology in Russia was still
outdated. Most farming technology utilized no new
machinery. Farmers used wooden plows in their
fields. Russia realized it was still behind in military
technology, which attributed to their embarrassing
loss against the Japanese.
Economy- The economy was still in disarray.
Peasants gained land but it affected the economy
because they still had large debts to pay. The
economy was still inflated. Russia also lost a lot of
money because of the Russo-Japanese War.
Society- Rural areas experienced the most change.
Peasants earned more freedoms and more respect
from the higher classes. They also were allowed to
form unions.
Chronology
1904
February 8- Tsar Nicholas II tries to turn Russian attention from its
economic issues by waging a war against Japan as they attempt
to expand into Manchuria.
November 6- Ministers and nobles meet to attempt to compromise on
rights and reforms with the Tsar.
November 9- The Tsar rejects the proposition.
December- A strike in the Putilov Plant in St. Petersburg creates a
chain reaction as more and more workers begin to go on strike.
The number of strikers goes up to 80,000.
1905
January 22- Orthodox Priest George Gapon leads a worker’s
procession to the Winter Palace to hand over a petition to the
tsar. Guards around the palace open fire on the protesters, killing
over 1,000 people. Known as ‘Bloody Sunday’. This marks the
beginning of the revolution.
Bloody Sunday
Chronology
February 4: Grand-Duke Sergei Alexandrovich is murdered by an assassin. Protests continue.
February 6- Eliel Soisalon-Soininen, the chancellor of justice, is assassinated.
February 18- Nicholas II calls for a report to form a constitutional monarchy. The public isn’t
satisfied and nothing is really changed.
March 13- Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia is assassinated by revolutionary
groups.
April 2- Dmitry Sipyagin, the Minister of the Interior, is assassinated.
May- The Russian navy is completely sunk by the Japanese. The public is restless and angry
while the government is embarrassed by the quick defeat.
May 24- 3 meetings are held in Moscow calling for popular representation at the national level
of government in Russia.
June 14- Soldiers on a Russian battleship mutiny because of their anger with the Russian Tsar.
Many events similar to this one follow.
Chronology
August 6- Tsar Nicholas II agrees to create a state Duma, or parliament, for the empire.
However, it had little power and was very restricted. This leads to more strikes and
protests.
September 5- The Russo-Japanese War is ended with the Treaty of Portsmouth which gave
Russian land to Japan. Russia lost the war that they were expected to win easily.
September 23- The beginning of the Russia general strike begins with the strike of the printers.
October 6- Railroad workers strike.
October 9- Telegraph workers strike.
October 15- The Soviet Union is formed. They call for more strikes and a boycott on taxes and
banks.
October 21- The general strike is ended.
Chronology
1906
March 4- The Provisional Rules, which allow the
formation of political parties and the right to
assemble, are enacted.
April 23- Fundamental Laws of the Empire are
published. These laws officially create the
Duma, but the way it is written allows for the
Tsar to keep most of his power anyways.
April 26- Censorship is abolished.
April 27- The first Duma is opened.
The Duma
Government Structure
Russia’s Empire (Tsar)
Political and Religious
Head
Russia’s Empire (Tsar)
Political and Religious
Head
Council of Ministers
Most Holy Synod
Most Holy
Synod
Council of
Ministers
The Duma
Major Engagements
Propaganda
•
Russian protestors turned to terrorism, strikes, and
propaganda during the revolution. Nihilist groups and
a group called ‘The Black Partition’ tried to use
meaningful propaganda to overthrow the Czars.
Minorities in Russia also used propaganda to express
their anti-Russia ideals. Many other groups turned to
terrorism. The ‘Will of the People’ group was known
for its offensive approach. They used assassins to kill
many people including police and members of the
government. They robbed banks as a scare tactic. It is
reported that over 7,000 people were killed during
acts of terrorism. The Russian Revolution of 1905 is
often cited when discussing the rise of terrorism as a
method of revolution. Worker strikes were also used
during the revolution. Starting with the Putilov Plant’s
strike, worker strikes spread all around Russia, even
spurring general strikes. Taxes and banks were
boycotted, and revolutionist members boycotted
meetings with members of the empire. All of these
methods helped attack and pressure the government
into changing.
Comparison
Russian Empire
-No revolutionary
parties.
- No Duma or
representation.
Constitutional Monarchy
-Emperor (Tsar)
holds the most power.
-Tsar is political and
religious leader.
-Russian people had little
-Council of Ministers
civil rights.
assists Tsar.
-Effective Military.
-Religion remains the
same.
-Duma “checks” tsar
power.
-People elect Duma
representatives.
-People have civil rights.
-Many underground
revolutionary parties
exist.
-Duma is still
ineffective due to
Tsar power.
From Constitutional
Monarchy to Communism
•
In the early 20th century, Russia were looking to expand territory into northeast
Asia. The Japanese, who were also looking to expand, fought against them in
the Russo-Japanese War. After facing a bitter defeat in 1905, the economy of
Russia weakened because of war debts. The loss created many riots among the
citizens.
•
In 1914, Russia entered World War 1. After five million deaths and a large loss
of territory, the government and economy were broken, creating mass
shortages and hunger for the citizens. The people were angry with the failure
of their tsar and sought to overthrow their ruler. When Marxism reached
Russia, the population of Russia, 85% of which were in poverty, thought the
idea of economic equality appealing. This started the Russian Revolution of
1917.
Chronology
•
January 9th 1917- Strikes begin in Moscow, Novocherkassk, Voronezh,
Kharkov, and Rostov-on-Don. These will continue for two months.
•
February 10th 1917- Tsar Nicolas II is warned by his Councillor of State
Mikhail Rodzianko. Rodzinako told the ruler of the large rebellion that
was taking place, and advised him to strengthen the Duma, the legislative
assembly of Russia. The advice is ignored.
•
February 23rd – 27th 1917- The February Revolution occurs. It begins
when the government announces bread rations. Women textile workers
lead a massive strike in Petrograd. 128,000 ignited by International
Women's Day. The Tsar’s Ministers are arrested. The tsar is abdicated,
the Romanov dynasty ends, and Imperial Russia collapses.
•
March 2nd 1917- The Provisional Government is formed in Petrograd.
The country is ruled under Georgy Lvov.
•
March 18th 1917- Stalin becomes a member of Executive Committee of
the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
•
March 19th 1917- Although there is a large food crisis in the country, the
Provisional Government refuses to pass an agrarian act.
•
April 3rd 1917- After being exiled, Vladimir Lenin returns to Russia along
with other Bolsheviks (members of the Russian Social-Democratic Labor
Party who generally had Marxist ideals).
Nicolas II, the last tsar of Russia
Chronology
•
April 4th 1917- Lenin delivers his April Theses, a series of directives that
was mainly aimed towards his fellow Bolsheviks. It advised them not to
cooperate with the Provisional Government and to create new communist
policies.
•
April 18th 1917- Foreign Minister Miliukov secretly agrees to continue with
Russia’s participation in World War I.
•
April 20th 1917- Miliukov’s Note, which states Miliukov’s agreement to
stay in World War I, is leaked. There is a mass uproar among the citizens.
After large demonstrations and strikes, the First Provisional government
falls.
•
May 5th 1917- The First Coalition Government is formed. Socialists enter
the cabinet. Alexander Kerensky is named minister of war and navy.
•
June 3rd 1917- The First All-Russian Congress of Workers’ and Soldiers’
Deputies opens in Petrorgad. The Congress almost unanimously votes to
pull out of World War I. Bolsheviks insist that all power goes to the
Soviets.
•
June 10th 1917- The government bans the planned Bolsheviks
demonstration.
•
June 16th 1917- Kerensky orders an offensive against German and AustroHungarian armies. This causes a significant decline in support from
citizens.
Alexander Kerensky
Chronology
•
July 2nd 1917- The offensive ends unsuccessfully.
•
July 3rd-4th – July Days begin. Because of the failure of the offensive, workers
and soldiers hold demonstrations that lead to violent riots. The government
blames the Bolsheviks. Lenin goes into hiding.
•
July 6th 1917- Germany and Austro-Hungary counter-attack Russia.
•
July 7th 1917- Lvov resigns and asks Kerensky to become the Prime Minister
and form a new government.
•
July 24th 1917- The Second Coalition Government is formed by Kerensky.
August 31st 1917- The majority of the Petrograd Soviet approve an allsocialist government.
•
September 1st 1917- Russia is declared a republic.
•
September 25th 1917- The Third Coalition Government is formed with a
Bolshevik majority.
•
October 25-26th 1917- The October Revolution is led by the Bolsheviks in
Petrograd. Kerensky flees the city. The Second Congress of Soviets
approves a transfer of authority into it’s own hands. Lenin is named
chairman. This new government sets up the foundation for the Soviet
Union, which would be officially created five years later.
Vladimir Lenin
Conflict in Russia circa 1917
Communist Propaganda
•
The communist party created
propaganda through radio, posters,
and cinema.
•
The poster on the right is called
Tsar, Priest, Rich Man. It depicts
the tsar, priest, and a man of the
upper class being carried by the
heavy-burdened laboring people.
Since the majority of the Russian
people were in the laboring class,
this poster appealed to the general
public by putting the upper classes
in a bad light, as if they are to
blame for all of Russia’s problems.
Effects of Revolution
Political- The tsar is no longer the autocratic ruler
of Russia. The first communist leader was Vladimir
Lenin. Under communism, the government owns
and controls all economic transactions. This lays
the foundation for the creation of the Soviet Union.
Intellectual- Communist influenced new
intellectual innovations in Russia. Vladimir Lenin,
for example, developed Leninism. Leninism is a
reverse form of communism. In communism, it is
believed a change in economy will cause a change in
government. In Leninism, it is believed that a
change in government will cause a change in
economy.
Religion- The Russian Orthodox Church supported
the White Army (anti-communists) during the
revolution. After the communists took over, religion
was greatly suppressed. The government stole
church property, used atheist propaganda, and
harassed many believers.
Art & Architecture- The revolution inspired artists
to create art that embodied a hopeful future and
peace within their nation. Festivals were held to
share works and public buildings were covered with
symbolic paintings.
Technology- When the Soviets took over, they put a
large emphasis on their desire to advance Russia
technologically. They built an assembly of research
institutes, educational programs, design bureaus,
and production enterprises.
Economy- Economic inflation occurred because of
the need for goods and food during war. The
majority of jobs, if not all, were government
created. The money that was printed had almost no
value. Essentially, the economy was destroyed.
Society- Communism equalizes all social classes by
paying and taxing citizens equal amounts. Because
of the Russian Revolution of 1917, the small
population that were wealthy also came into
poverty.
Comparison
Constitutional Monarchy
Communism
-The tsar is in power.
-The Russian Orthodox
Church was accepted.
-The Duma are a
lower parliament.
-Soviets are in power
with a chairman at the
-The economy is
head.
badly damaged.
-The majority of
the population is in
poverty.
-Religion is oppressed.
-The Duma eventually
dissolves after
combining with the
Petrograd Soviet.
Works Cited
•
Bulliet, Richard W., Pamela Kyle. Crossley, Daniel R. Headrick, Steven W. Hirsch, Lyman L. Johnson, and
David Northrup. The Earth and Its Peoples A Global History. Advanced Placement ed. Boston, MA: Houghton
Mifflin, 2008. Print.
•
Chung, TK. "1905 Russian Revolution." TheCorner. 1979. Web. 07 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.thecorner.org/hist/russia/revo1905.htm>.
•
Halsall, Paul, “Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Russian Revolution”, Fordham
University <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook39.html> Created 1997: Last revised 1/18/1999.
(Accessed April 10, 2002).
•
Kirchner, Walter, Russian History, 7th Ed. (New York: HarperCollins, 1991), 228-246.
•
Le Blanc, Paul, “Russian Revolutions of 1917”, Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia
<http://www.encarta.msn.com> Created 2001. (Accessed April 13, 2002).
•
Litwin, Peter. "The Russian Revolution." UW Departments Web Server. University of Washington, 2002. Web. 07
Feb. 2011. <http://depts.washington.edu/baltic/papers/russianrevolution.htm>.
•
Reed, John, Ten Days That Shook the World (New York: International Publishers, 1934).
•
Rempel, Gerhard. "The Revolution of 1917." Western New England College, 1998. Web. 07 Feb. 2011.
<http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/rev1917.html>.
•
Trueman, Chris. "The 1905 Russian Revolution." History Learning Site. 2000. Web. 07 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1905_russian_revolution.htm>.