Bloody Sunday

• on the 22nd January a priest tried to lead a peaceful march of workers and their families to the winter palace in st Petersburg to present a loyal petition to the tsar
• the march induced panic in the police forces in the capital causing marchers to be fired on and charged at
• Consequences

  • a widespread outbreak of disorder which increased as the year went on
  • strikes occurred in all major cities and towns
  • terrorism against government officials and landlords
  • Georgia declared itself an independent state
  • poles demanded autonomy
  • jews pressed for equal rights
• The cadets persuaded the majority of liberal groups to join them in forming a 'Union of Unions' which aimed to organise a broad-base alliance including the peasants and factory workers