RUSSIA 1855 1914 How effectively did the reforms of Alexander II solve the internal problems of Russia? Timespan 1855 (death of Nikolas I) 1881 (assassination of A II) The reforms of Alexander II nov 10 13:41 Internal problems of Russia 1855 81: nov 11 13:41 1
How well were the problems solved: nov 11 13:41 Background: The humiliating defeat in the Crimean War. The war thought Russia a lesson. West European efficiency and industrialisation defeated the stagnated and old fashioned Russian Empire. This alarmed the Russian government and the new ruler. Russia had to be reformed in order to compete with the west. Social reform was also inevitable to prevent revolution by the peasantry. nov 11 13:50 2
'Repression and reaction were the particular marks of the rule of the last Tsar, Nicholas II'. Discuss the validity of this verdict on his reign to 1914. Define 'repression' Political repression, the oppression or persecution of an individual or group for political reasons 'reaction' reactionary (attempt to slow down development, progress) ' Particular marks comparison with other czars. Alexander II, Alexander III nov 17 17:12 To what extent the system caused its own downfall. Nicholas II was in favour of preserving the Tsarist state intact as he had inherited it, he was prepared to repress any attempt to undermine the autocracy The role of his advisers The family tragedy with Michael (hemophelia), the Tsarina and Rasputin. Nicholas wasn't prepared to take over as a ruler when he had to. The Russo Japanese war 1904 05 The Bloody Sunday, the greatest act of repressive stateterrorism on the own people. nov 18 14:20 3
But at least after 1905 one can easily find arguments against the statement as well: The democratic reforms which Nicholas was forced to carry out after the revolution of 1905 universal male suffrage, the elected Dumas, the returned rights of the ethnic minoroties. The reform policy of Witte and Stolypin boosted the economic development. The impact of the Great War nov 18 14:25 If Russia wouldn t have been pulled in to the Great War would the system have survived. It wasn t the strength and unity of the opposition which brought the downfall it was the defeats in the war and the unpopularity of the imperial house. Without a war there would probably not have been any revolution. nov 18 14:28 4
How extensive and how effective in promoting change was the opposition to the Tsarist system in Russia from c. 1881 to 1914? EXTENSIVE WIDTH, how vast was the opposition (quantity) EFFECTIVE accomplisment (quality) Promoting change nov 17 17:12 Define opposition The opposition which brought the downfall wasn t organised, united or planned. The Russo Japanese war 1904 05 had already clearly warned the rulers that a major conflict with defeat could shake the existing powerstructure of Russia. Opposition to the Tsar: a. Political groups Socialists divided in Social Revolutionaries Mensjeviks Bolsjeviks Anarchists Liberals Cadets nov 18 14:34 5
b. Non political groups The farmers The industrial workers The Bourgeois The landless peasants The poor Nobility The poor priests The ethnic minorities nov 18 14:43 Most groups divided and unorganised. The political parties often small and with minimal resources to premote any change in practice. The secret police controlled most of the political groups. E.g. the socialists party which was founded in London and of which most leaders were forced to imprisonment or or activity in exile. The non political groups were only united by their opposition towards the existing order or part of the rule carried out e.g. the russification policy. nov 18 14:48 6
THE EVENTS 1904 1905 The Russo Japanese war and the Bloody Sunday had an enormous impact as these proved that the Empire could tremble. The events resulted in spontaneous protests so big that they paralysed the regime. The successes of the opposition weren t longlasting as the oppositional groups were so divided but e.g. the events in Finland were revolutionary. All oppositional elements had been given a proof of possible change but this needed a major crises in which Russia was part of. When the First World War started this was the signal many of the oppositional elements had been waiting for. nov 18 14:52 Conclusion: Most of the oppositional groups were unsuccessful in promoting lasting change in Russia but those who aimed in replacing the old powerstructure with a new one would be successful. In the struggle againt the russification policy the successes of 1905 06 showed the non russian elements that unity existed and change was possible. The only political groups which promoted change from within were the quite conservative cadets and Octobrists. These parties had minor successes in reforming e.g. the economic legislation of Russia (wexsternisation). nov 18 14:56 7