1905 - National Minorities

• Many of the different national minorities within the Russian Empire saw the breakdown of tsarist authority in 1905 as an opportunity to gain greater freedom and independence.
• Major strikes broke out in Polish cities such as Warsaw and Lodz which involved battles between Polish workers and Russian troops.
• The general strike of October spread into Finland which resulted in greater autonomy being granted to the Finns.
• Estonia

  • An "All-Estonian Congress" of 800 representatives demanded official acceptance of the Estonian language and greater autonomy.
• Latvia

  • 1,000 local officials demanded greater powers of self-government.
• February

  • Jews formed the "Union for the Attainment of Equal Rights for Jews".
  • Thousands of Jews joined the unrest across Russia.
• Kiev

  • There were demands for a Ukrainian assembly.