liberilism

• Emancipation of Serfs


  Released labor from countryside, leading to rapid urbanization
• Landed gentry and nobility

  • Alarmed by government policy favoring industrial development
• Emergence of Educated Strata


  Rapid economic development led to emergence of educated class in cities
• Educated class


  • Frustration with corruption, inefficiency, and oppression of state bureaucracy
• Union of Liberation (1903)


  • Founded to unite opposition and campaign for constitutional democracy
  • Advocated universal suffrage and secret ballot
• Zemstvo Meetings


  • Zemstvos held secret meetings in response to new restrictions
  • Moderate and radical elements brought together, radicalizing movement
• Assassination of Plehve (July 1904)


  • Ultra-reactionary Plehve assassinated
  • Tsar chose moderate Mirskii as replacement, relaxed restrictions
• Zemstvo Congress (Nov 1904)


  Called for elected legislature and voice in shaping state budget
• Banquet Campaign (Nov 1904)


  • Called for democratic constitution and Constituent Assembly
  • 36 banquets held across Russia
• Father Gapon's Petition (Nov 1904)


  • Assisted by Union of Liberation
  • Demands aligned with U of L's program
• Mass Outrage after Bloody Sunday (Jan 1905)


  Students and Zemstvos reacted with outrage
• Revival of Liberalism in Zemstvos

  Mass meetings organized, calling for Constituent Assembly
• Union of Unions (May 8th, 1905)


  • Formed by radical liberals
  • Committed to replacing autocracy with constitutional regime and full civil rights
  • Set up All-Russian Union of Railroad Employees and workers
  • Led to politicization of September strikes
  • Encouraged workers to set up the St. Petersburg Soviet
  • Played key role in October General Strike
• Formation of Kadets (July 1905)


  Leaders of Zemstvos formed new party aiming to end autocracy
• Liberals in October General Strike

  • Central role in strike,esp national railway strike supported by various professions and industries
  • Major clashes with police, barricades erected in most cities