GENERAL OVERVIEW:
Absolutism remained the system of government, social injustice and economic want were also character-istics of the Russian state. Discontent was wide spread especially as follows:
Political Conditions: Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, no political party system to check the Tsar's power and a strong secret police which terrorized the people. As a result reformers were forced underground during the late 1800's.
Social Conditions: Russia had rigid class distinctions with the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Nobility at the top. Most of the land and high government positions were in the hands of the rich. Peasant life was dull and uninteresting. Public education was regarded as dangerous because things learned by the commoners might increase their dissatisfaction and lead to revolt. Great emphasis was placed on "Russification", that is, the process of making the subject peoples Russian in language, dress, religion, and culture. Jew's were often singled out for ill treatment. "Pogroms", outbursts of violence were common.
Economic Conditions: Agriculture was the chief way to make a living. Even after the Serfs were freed in 1861, life barely rose above the starvation level. Farming methods were old-fashioned and little land was available to the peasant. When industrialization came to Russia, workers flocked to the cities. They were quick to voice their dissatisfaction because of poor working conditions, low wages and slums.
There were many causes for the revolution of 1917. These include:
Democratic groups sought an end to Tsarist absolutism. Farmers wanted the fertile land owned by the nobility. City workers wanted a voice in the government and better living conditions.The small Russian middle class wanted a voice in the government. Subject peoples wanted an end to "Russification". Russo-Japanese war (1904-05) was fought over Korea. Russia was defeated and it proved to be a humiliating loss for the Russian Empire. Bloody Sunday; Revolution of 1905 was the last peaceful effort by the people to seek reforms. Thousands were shot, hung and imprisoned by the Tsars Troops. During World War I the soldiers were receiving poor supplies, the Russian nobility serving as officers were poor leaders. Defeat after defeat led to low morale and causalities were extremely high. On the home front industry bogged down, the transportation system deteriorated, people suffered from shortages and government officials were thought to be sympathetic to the Germans. In 1914 the Russians were totally unprepared for war. With the war going poorly the Tsar made the decision to leave the capital, Petrograd (St. Petersburg), and take personal command of the troops at the front. With the Tsar gone, the Tsarina (Alexandra) was in command and she was heavily influenced by the Starist monk, Rasputin. In December 1916 he was assassinated. In March of 1917 a Woman's Day parade led to rioting. The police and Tsarist troops were called to put down the riot but instead of shooting the demonstrators they joined them. This event led to the Duma (Legislature) calling for a Provisional (Temporary) Government. Tsar Nicholas II, the last of the Romanov's, abdicated on March 15, 1917.
The Russian socialist movement began in the 19th century. In 1903 it split into two factions, the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks. The Mensheviks supported a Democratic Revolution with wide appeal and broad participation. the Bolsheviks favored a small professionally led revolution using any means necessary to accomplish their goals. When the Tsar abdicated Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, was in exile in Switzerland. He made arrangements with the German government to get him back into Russia. In return for the Germans help Lenin promised to pull Russia out of the war. (This would allow Germany to send about a million troops to the Western Front and defeat the British and French.) When Lenin arrived in Russia he called for "Land, Bread, and Peace". Land for the peasants, Bread for the workers and Peace for the soldiers. In November of 1917 a second revolution occurred. It was led by the Bolshevik and overthrew the Provisional Government. The Bolsheviks then proclaimed the Soviet Socialist Republic.
The Provisional Government lasted from March until November 1917 and failed for a number of reasons:It remained involved in an unpopular war. (World War I) It was unable to end the food shortage. It did not support the peasant seizures of nobility owned land. It lacked military strength to back up its politics. (It offered too little to late)
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