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Tsar Nicholas II comes into power
"What is going to happen to me and all of Russia? I am not prepared to be a Tsar. I never wanted to become one. I know nothing of the business of ruling." - Tsar Nicholas II
Autocracy did not allow any form of opposition. The Tsar was the head of state and ruled by the divine right. The Orthodox Church taught that the Tsar was chosen by God and so it was the duty of all Russians to loyally obey and serve their Tsar. -
Nardoniks
One of the main revolutionary groups of the 1870s was the Nardoniks. They were essentially a pre-Marxist socialist group that idealised the peasants and believed that they must lead revolution and reform. The Nardoniks saw the peasants and the peasant communes as the basis of a socialist society. They believed the revolution could be achieved by educating the peasants in socialist thinking. -
Nihilists
The Nihilists were a group that argued man should bow no authority and accepts nothing on trust. This extreme group argued that society must be destroyed before any improvements were possible. Anarchists sought to overthrow the entire system and replace it with small communities across the country. The Nihilists were also responsible for the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. -
1905 Revolution
The mass general strikes forced the Tsar to grant major reforms, promising civil liberties and an elected Duma in his October Manifesto. It was a turning point that did not turn. It signified a loss of faith in the Tsar by his people that was never wholly resolved and his actions in late 1905 and early 1906 to restore control did nothing to improve this. He was no longer considered their little father. -
October Manifesto
The Tsar had a choice of giving in or using force, with the likelihood of massive bloodshed. He gave in and issued the October Manifesto. This promised a Parliament or Duma elected by the people, civil rights, eg freedom of speech and conscience, uncensored newspapers and the right to form political parties. The Liberals and middle class believed they had won democratic government. They stopped their protests and supported the government. -
Fundamental Laws of 1906
The Tsar imposed further restrictions when he issued the Fundamental Laws of 1906. This reaffirmed his supremacy within the state by restating his power to veto any legislation passed by the Duma. The Fundamental Laws confirmed the October Manifesto but also asserted the Tsar's power of the Duma. -
February Revolution 1917
Causes:
Liberals in the Duma supported military involvement in the hope that an alliance with France and Britain would facilitate change in the political situation in Russia. The Tsar assumed personal control of the war effort in 1915. Gov. was left in the hands of the Tsarina and her advisors. Her influence over Nicholas and the unpopularity of Rasputin helped to bring down the Romanov dynasty in 1917. -
February Revolution 1917 (cont.)
In March 1917, the army garrison at Petrograd joined striking workers in demanding socialist reforms, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate. The garrison was comprised of soldiers, factory workers, labourers and students. The February Revolution was a leaderless, spontaneous revolution.