Russia - February Revolution

• Structure of February Revolution Essay

  ARGUEMENT: Tsars ineptitude (personality, government descisions, refusal to share power) COUNTER: product of his upbringing

  SUMMARY: The Tsar adapted to Russia changing demographics and social unrest the best a Tsar could.

  MAIN ARGUEMENT: Social demographics (creation of a middle class - more literate and educated)

  ARGUEMENT: WW1 (economic and military issues - end with spontaneous revolution = strikes for international woman's day) COUNTER: geographic implications of industrialisation (urbanisation))
• evidence that suggests the Tsar was unwilling to share power before 1905?

  He expressed dislike for Alexander II's emancipation reforms of 1861, including the creation of Zemstvo a form of local self-government.
• What was the October Manifesto?

  October Manifesto was created to satisfy revolutionaries and liberals involved in 1905 revolt by creating a legislative body named the Duma. Its members were elected and its approval was needed before the enactment of any legislation.
• What were the Fundamental Laws?

  Promulgated Fundamental laws which asserted the Tsars ultimate authority, stating when the Duma was not in session, Nicolas ruled independently and could dissolve the Duma (second house of the duma was elected by the Tsar)
• What was the problem with the Duma?

  It was a sitting body with no real legislative power which unsatisfied the middle classes and revolutionaries, whom were becoming increasingly in want of a democratic branch of goverment.
• When and how many times did the Tsar dismiss the Duma?

  There were 4 Dumas held between 1906 and 1914

  First Duma

  convened from the 27th of April to the 8th July 1906 - less then 75 days

  delegates only approved one law initiated by the Government (15 million roubles to people affected by crop failure)

  Known as "the Duma of peoples anger"

  Second Duma

  20th February - 3rd June 1907 - 102 days

  55 delegates were accused in a plot against Emperor’s family.

  Third Duma = worked the full statutory five-year term.
• How was the Fourth Duma one of the centres of opposition to Emperor Nicholas II?

  Duma reconvened on 19th of July 1915 - meant that the Liberals now had a platform to demand what they called "ministry of national confidence"

  2/3rds of deputies formed the Progressive Bloc.

  Closed down on 2nd September 1915 - caused a two day general strike in Petrograd.
• Other words to describe Nicolas during the 1917 revoltuion

  obstinacy

  prudency

  ineptitude
• Quotes of Nicolas that suggest he was incompetent

  "one would think that you are afraid a revolution will break out" - to Bulygin his Minister of the Interior

  "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.” - Nicolas when succeeding his father
• How was the Tsar a product of his upbringing?

  refusal to share power was because he is product of his harsh monarchical upbringing as well as Grandfathers assassination in 1881 in the hopes that it would precipitate a revolution therefore both Nicolas and his father (oppression of the revolutionary peasantry) feared political change.

  Lack of time to ready himself before his father = sudden kidney failure
• How can it be argued the Tsar actually adapted well to the changing demographics of Russian society?

  Existence of a national legislative body = monarchic history

  Constitutional assembly = revolutionary

  Creation of some form of suffrage was more then any Tsar had done

  The Tsar adapted to Russia changing demographics and social unrest the best a Tsar could.
• Social Demographics: emergence of an educated middle class

  replacement for aristocratic rule

  Wittes industrialisation = introduction of new factories, mines and railroads increased ranked of some of workers - capitalist trait - enabled them to become educated politically - was the first time there was an effective replacement for the Tsar.

  Evident of there want for political change already noticeable - 1905 revolution