Dissent and Revolution 1917
The structure of government 1917:
The Tsar:
- The emperor - an absolute ruler whose authority was exercised through 3 official bodies; the
Imperial Council, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Senate.
- These bodies did not have any authority over the Tsar, whose word was final in all government
and legal matters.
The duma:
- In 1906, the Tsar agreed to the creation of a duma (Parliament).
- Had no real power - was made clear at the time of its creation.
- All the political parties were represented and it provided a forum for criticism of government
policies.
- Was particularly significant after 1915 when the duma members became increasingly hostile
towards the government towards the government’s handling of the war.
Opposition parties:
Liberal parties:
- Octobrists:
- Were a party of moderates who urged the Tsar to honour the October manifesto that he
issued in 1906, promising a range of freedoms.
- Loyal to the Tsar and believed that the tsarist system was capable of being improved by
measured reform.
- Saw the establishment of the duma as a major constitutional advance.
- Kadets (Constitutional Democrats):
- The largest liberal party.
- Wanted Russia to develop as a constitutional monarchy in which the powers of the Tsar
would be restricted by a democratically elected constituent assembly.
- Believed that this body would be able to settle the nation’s problems.
Revolutionary parties:
- The Social Revolutionaries (SR’s):
- Began as a movement among the Russian peasantry, but also gained recruits from the
urban workers.
- Had 2 main wings; the Left SR’s who claimed only a policy of terrorism could bring
necessary change to Russia and the Right SR’s who, while believing in revolution, were
prepared to work with other parties for immediate improvement in the conditions of
the workers and peasants.
- The Social Democrats (SD’s):
- Their aim was to achieve revolution in Russia by following Marxism.
, Dissent and Revolution 1917
- Believed that the revolution would happen in 2 stages; firstly, a class struggle, and
secondly, the overthrow of the bourgeoisie by the proletariat.
- Bourgeoisie: the industrial leaders.
- Proletariat: the workers
- Were split into 2 parties by 1903:
- The Mensheviks, who believed in a broad coalition of all the Russian progressive
parties to work to bring down Tsardom.
- The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, who believed that only their party of Marxist
believers had the commitment and understanding to achieve a genuine
Proletarian revolution. At the beginning of 1917, most (including Lenin) were in
exile.
, Dissent and Revolution 1917
Russia at war 1917:
Why did they join WW1?
- Germany is formed in 1871, and Russia saw them as a threat to their borders.
- Austria/Hungary Empire
- Ottoman Empire: Turkey were in control of entrance to the Black Sea.
- Balkan States: to stop the spreading of Islamic teachings from Turkey and to spread their
Christian views instead.
- Saw an opportunity to show their military success.
- Made allies with France in 1892, and Britain in 1907 (Triple Entente).
- Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia in 1908.
- 28th June 1914: Assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia.
- 28th July 1914: Austria Hungary declares war on Serbia.
- 30th July 1914: Russia mobilised their troops.
Russia at war:
- Russian population initially act well, holding its own in the first few months of war. Population
felt patriotic and rallied behind their country.
- Ideas of socialism and revolutionaries fall away as people are proud.
- Lenin tries to cause a revolution and discourages war - has to flee to Switzerland.
The battles:
- The first battle, Gumbinnen (initiated by the Germans), was a success on 20th August 1914, The
Russians push back the Germans and take over East Prussia.
- Next two battles were Tannenberg (27th Aug 1914) and Masurian Lakes (9th Sept 1914).
Germany inflicts huge casualties on Russia; they lose 125,000 soldiers in Masurian Lakes.
- By Feb 1915, things were looking very bleak.
- Summer 1916: Russian commander called Brusilov planned a series of attacks (the Brusilov
Offensive). In the Battle of Lutsk, they beat A-H. Creates a sense of false hope for the country.
Economic issues:
- Russian economy was based on agriculture, so it was very weak, as farmers had gone to fight.
- Had to borrow money and raise taxes so they could fight, but this was only partially successful in
raising the money they needed,
- They printed more money, confidence in the currency went down and prices went up -
hyperinflation.
- Middle-class people with savings lost their money as it becomes worthless.
- At the start of the war, Russian spending was 4 million roubles; at the end of the war, it was 30
million roubles.
