reforms/ policies

• Sviatopolk, the new prince, had more moderate views, he lifted some of the restrictions on the Zmestva which helped give the peasants more freedom
• The October Manifesto said-

  1. Civil rights granted to population
  2. participation in Duma will be opened to lower classes
  3. law can not come out without state Duma's approval
• However the fundamental laws overturned the positivity of the October manifesto
• The October manifesto effects:

  • some liberals accepted it
  • right wing supporters and the black hundreds began a wave of attacks on Jews, backed by the police
  • St Petersburg Soviet of workers called for another strike, wanting an 8 hour day
  • middle class unions did not support it and the government arrested Soviet leaders and military
  • Bolshevik's called on strikes of workers, fighting with police and strike; rebels defeated after 2 weeks and 1000 workers dead
• However the October Manifesto did build a consensus of support, some liberal groups accepted it
• the intelligentsia wanted to participate in government and wanted representation
• socialist revolutionaries wanted a peasant revolution to create socialism based around peasant communes
• Social democrats (Marxists) wanted urban working classes to start a revolution then create communism
• National minorities wanted more autonomy and the end to Russification
• Peasants wanted more land and help out of poverty
• Workers wanted an end to low pay, bad conditions and long hours as well as more political power
• Witte's economic policy:

  • under his industrialisation policy, urban workers and peasants were hit by high taxes and low wages
  • there was an economic slump after 1902 which led to high unemployment and social tensions
  • poor harvests in 1900 and 1902 led to starvation and violence in the countryside
• Political change after the 1905 revolution:

  • Tsar set up Duma
  • Russian state under fundamental laws was indivisible
  • Russia language is general, compulsory in army, navy and public institutions
  • supreme autocratic power to empower of Russia
  • no law can come into force without emperor's consent
• Between 1906 and 1914 there was an industrial boom however workers wages did not rise above the levels in 1903 and conditions were awful
• Stolypin focused on peasants: they were not controlled by Mir and did not have to pay redemption tax which freed the peasants
• Increasing use of secret police: referred to as Stolypin's necktie's
• RSDLP membership decline from 150,000 in 1905 to 10,000
• 1905 trade unions legalized
• Stolypin known as firm and ruthless
• Stolypin for peasants:

  • all state and crown lands available to buy with peasants land bank
  • peasants allowed to leave commune without consent
  • could buy land together, not just in strips
  • end of redistribution of land
• 'strong and sober' by Stolypin hoped to create a well off class of peasants
• Zmestva expenditure on health, poor relief, agricultural advice and support doubled from 1906-12
• Kulaks were the rich peasants and benefitted from Stolypin's reforms whilst the Muzhiks were poor and had little land; become revolutionary force in countryside
• saving accounts grew from 5 million to 9 million from 1905-13
• national debt dropped from 9 million to 8 million roubles between 1907-14
• average annual growth rate between 1907-14 was 6%; passing any western country in Europe
• The first Duma:

  • bias to upper classes (lots of Kadets)
  • hostility to Tsar
  • demanded power of Dumas should be increased
  • The Tsar felt disrespected and dissolved the Duma
  • 200 Kadets went to Finland and issued the Vyborg manifesto urging Russians not to pat taxes; government shut down Kadets offices
• the second Duma:

  • 70% of eligible workers in St Petersburg voted and had high hopes
  • Trudoviks largest party
  • right wing support had increased
  • more radical and became known as 'The Duma of national anger'
  • it had many disagreements between right and left wings
  • the Tsar dissolved it after 3 months
• After the failings of the first and second Duma Stolypin's coup excluded peasants, workers and non-Russian groups from voting which meant voting was restricted to upper classes and obctobrists and rightists dominated
• The Third Duma:

  • critical of government
  • right wing groups tried to stop Stolypin's reforms e.g., plan to expand the Zemstvo
  • 1911 relations breaking down but Duma could work with government
• Achievements of the Third Duma:

  • Stolypin's land reforms
  • educational law 1908 laid foundations for universal education
  • improvements in army and navy
  • restorations of justices of peace; replacing the hated land captains
  • progressive national health insurance
• The Fourth Duma:

  • interrupted by WW1
  • continued support and money for law of 1908; number of primary schools risen
  • reform of the orthodox church and reduction of state control
  • talks to reduce consumption of vodka
  • critical of governments handling of social unrest
  • progressive bloc formed 1915; Tsar given chance to work with people
  • Nicholas would not agree and Duma suspended
• 1905 bloody Sunday- 200 killed
• no state duma until 1906
• Stolypin clamps down in workers strikes
• 1905 Petersburg soviet closed
• trade unions legalised in 1905
• 1914 strikes decreasing
• duma allowed representation
• duma reduced in 1907 due to electoral law