1905 Revolution - Essay
Assess the reason for the 1905 revolution in Russia.
The turn of the 19th century brought together a series of events, discontent and public tension together to form the 1905 revolution, which eventually brought an established autocratic Tsarist regime to an end. But previously, Russia was in turmoil. With a land mass of over 8 million square miles entailing over 100 ethnic races; limited communication organization and transport which was often impassable leaving sections of Russia detached from governing capability, the problems were only just forming. Law and tradition defined the Tsar as the absolute ruler; highlighting the beginning of Russia’s political backwardness in an epoch where all major western countries were forming democratic and representative government. Russia was a state ruled by oppression and operated by a denial of free speech; leading often to extremism; and with a resented Russification system, the government control was deteriorating.
The social structure of Russia was built up through an autocratic pyramid classification; the Tsar with dominant rank at the top; the peasants also known as “dark masses” at the bottom tier, the preponderance with 82% of the population. In between lay working, middle and upper and ruling classes. Each class had their own grievance with the current system, ultimately a driving force leading to revolution, In particular the peasants had problems rooting from 1861 in which the laws of Emancipation not only meant that the majority couldn’t afford redemption payments and put generations into debt; but the land they worked was often insufficient and of poor quality. Many felt betrayed by the government; and especially the Lords who took the best land for themselves. Moreover there was great underlying resentment for the restrictions imposed by the Mir; which prevented peasants from leaving the villages without permission; and often arranged marriages. Countless peasants were suffering from injustice as the Mir
The turn of the 19th century brought together a series of events, discontent and public tension together to form the 1905 revolution, which eventually brought an established autocratic Tsarist regime to an end. But previously, Russia was in turmoil. With a land mass of over 8 million square miles entailing over 100 ethnic races; limited communication organization and transport which was often impassable leaving sections of Russia detached from governing capability, the problems were only just forming. Law and tradition defined the Tsar as the absolute ruler; highlighting the beginning of Russia’s political backwardness in an epoch where all major western countries were forming democratic and representative government. Russia was a state ruled by oppression and operated by a denial of free speech; leading often to extremism; and with a resented Russification system, the government control was deteriorating.
The social structure of Russia was built up through an autocratic pyramid classification; the Tsar with dominant rank at the top; the peasants also known as “dark masses” at the bottom tier, the preponderance with 82% of the population. In between lay working, middle and upper and ruling classes. Each class had their own grievance with the current system, ultimately a driving force leading to revolution, In particular the peasants had problems rooting from 1861 in which the laws of Emancipation not only meant that the majority couldn’t afford redemption payments and put generations into debt; but the land they worked was often insufficient and of poor quality. Many felt betrayed by the government; and especially the Lords who took the best land for themselves. Moreover there was great underlying resentment for the restrictions imposed by the Mir; which prevented peasants from leaving the villages without permission; and often arranged marriages. Countless peasants were suffering from injustice as the Mir