Collapse of the Tsarist Regime

Collapse of the Tsarist Regime

1. Pressures of War

2. Industrialisation

3. The Society Before

   • Variety of nationalities, no sense of national identity
     • Constant demands for independence
   • The Country side
     • Peasants did not own land, and so they were property of their Landowners
       • Peasants were subjected to a form of salvery know as "SERFDOM"
         • in 1861, serfs were freed and allowed to have some land
           • it was not enough land to make a decent living.
     • Village elders gained control over the lives of individual peasants
     • Russia could provide food but...
       • Bad harvests = Famine.
         • Also no crop rotation
     • Agriculture needed modernisation
       • population growing fast, not enough land
   • Landowners
     • most important and influential
     • provided the local government
       • acted as the link between common people and the tsar
         • But their position was becoming less secure, as tension increased between peasant and owner - they wanted land for themselves
     • Many landowners ran their estates inefficiently & fritted away their wealth.
     • local councils (zemstvos), pressed the Tsar for reforms
   • The Cities
     • Witte became Finance Minister in !892

4. Tsar Nicholas ll

   • Absolute Ruler
     • Russia's Ministry was chosen by him, and only answerable to him
   • Local governement was also chosen by the tsar, that way he could keep and eye on them
   • Ruled in a harsh and repressive manner.
     • To prevent Russia from Falling into Anarchy.
       • Crushed any sign of dissent or opposition
   • "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 businesss of ruling."
     • Reaction of Nicholas ll after his fathers death. _reluctant already.
   • Indecisive and found it hard to concentrate
   • Unable to respond the pressures for change
   • Saw Modernisation as a threat
     • The country needed a flexible and imaginative leader

5. Russian Orthodox Church

   • Deeply Religious
   • Helped with upholding authority, in return they gained political influence
   • Due to size and diverse population, not the entire country belonged to the church