Main cause of 1905 Rev. Continued

Main cause of 1905 Rev. Continued

1. Army

   • Contribution
     • Defeats in Russo Japanese War highlighted weaknesses
       • Caused national humiliation
         • Contributed to outbreak of revolution
     • Mutinies
       • E.g. battle Potemkin
       • Spread to other units
       • 1/3 army weakened by mutiny
   • Counter- arguments
     • Army remained loyal to the Tsar
       • Used to restore order in cities
         • Killed over 1000 people
         • Arrests, crushed riot/strikes
     • Helped after Treaty of Portsmouth was signed
       • Suppressed protests

2. Tsar Nicholas and the Govt

   • Role in causing rev.
     • Bloody Sunday
       • Responded to peaceful protest with violence
         • Shocked/provoked anger
     • Culmination of years of unrest/discontent
       • B/c of autocracy
     • Took Russia into Russo Japanese War
       • Highlighted weaknesses
         • Despair turned to anger
       • Caused economic problems
       • Working class conditions worsened
     • Sergei Witte industrialisation
       • Worsened working class conditions
         • Overpopulation
         • Unsanitary
     • Took no action to reverse Alexander III's reforms
     • Decisions (e.g. BS) led to revolution quicker
     • Unwillingness to make concessions/Oppressive Rule resulted in growing opposition
     • Tsar's personality
       • Shy, easily led and narrow minded
         • Had a Conservative view b/c of Pobedonostsev
           • Couldn't sympathise with political groups
         • Not suited to role
   • Counter arguments
     • Inherited discontent with his role
       • E.g. Russification, Emancipation
       • Created under father's reign
     • Tsar alone could not be blamed
       • Many believed Tsar would be superior against Japan