Opposition

• Political opposition before 1917

  Peoples' will were successful as they killed Alexander II hoping it would end Tsarism however this was not the case.

  Workers were successful as they protested to the point where the empire was close to collapse, leading to creation of the Duma.

  Sr’s did 2000 political killings.

  SD: influences by Marxism, encouraged working class consciousness.

  Kadets wanted constitutional monarchy

  Populists: intellectuals went to countryside to educate peasants.

  Liberals wanted same as West Europe

  Octoberists were loyal to the Tsar but by 1911 became the Tsars enemies.
• Political opposition to the Prov Gov

  PG formed of the Duma & Petrograd Soviet. Opposition from workers committees becoming more influence by Bolsheviks. Frustration of workers towards gov policy & continued food shortages leading to July days, Armed sailors, workers & soldiers.

  When Kornilov proposed tough sanctions in August, wanting Petrograd to be placed under martial law, Kerensky called for support of Petrograd soviet & armed the Bolsheviks of fear of right-wing uprising. Kornilov was arrested, damaging on the PG & strengthened position of Bolsheviks who gained more seats in Soviets.
• Internal Political opposition to the Communists (1917-24)

  Under Lenin a few times internal disagreement nearly derailed revolutionary movement. After overthrowing PG, Kamenev, Zinoviev & Rykov called for coalition with other socialists. Some left SR’s allowed, Lenin bullied Bolsheviks into rejecting this & opposing political parties.

  Before Lenin’s death, he was ill & party members maneuverer to be named his successor. Stalin, Zinoviev, Kamenev (Troika)  aimed to block Trotsky taking leadership. Stalin moved into a stronger position in spite of Lenin’s critical testaments.
• Opposition - Alex II

  1861 Emancipation Edict unleashed thousands of peasant riots. These quieted till 1890 when revolts quelled with help of land captains. The Edict was initially passes, however, to stop a peasant revolt from below

  Became more reactionary by the end of reign restricting Zemstva, education & changed trials of political prisoners.
• Opposition - Alex III

  Reinstated the Fundamental laws & Accession manifesto

  Reinforced Tsars power & hunt down peoples will with promise of no more reforms.
• Alex II:

  • Populists (consisting of Russian intellectuals) were given greater freedom to criticise tsarist rule following the reforms of Alex II
  • Lavrov organised a ‘Going to the People’ campaign from 1873 to 1874, which involved 4000 university students dispersing into the Russian countryside to educate the peasants politically
  • The People’s will was formed in 1879, with the primary objective of assassinating the Tsar. Four assassination attempts were made before Alexander II was killed in 1881
• Nich II:

  • 1898: SDs founded 
  • 1901: SRs founded. Despite divisions, they had the most support and were the biggest threat to the tsarist regime
  • By 1905, there were signs of division between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks
• Prov Gov:

  • Successful Bolshevik opposition to the Prov Gov
  • National minorities
  • Continuation of WW1
• Lenin:

  • Opposition to Civil War/War Communism. Appeased by NEP
  • Ban on Factions in 1921: emergence of a one party state
  • Whites and Greens in the Civil War posed the biggest threat
• Stalin:

  • No real opposition under Stalin due to the Great Terror: purges, show trials and gulags
  • Peasant opposition to collectivisation
• Khrushchev:

  • Opposition to de-stalinisation and the Thaw
• Synthesis:

  • Less opposition from national minorities after 1918, due to increased repression, similarly under Alex III