Political Challenges
After he became Tsar, Nicholas quickly learned that he was surrounded by deceit and the self-interest of bureaucrats and sycophants. This fear was not without cause since Nicholas II’s ministers were very reactionary and created an unstable political situation for him. Nicholas became a strong supporter of the right of the sovereign despite growing pressures from revolutionary groups with practical desires.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia had many anti-tsarist political movements. One of them, the Cadets (Liberal Constitutional Democrats) advocated constitutional monarchy and representative government. This group formed amidst the turmoil of 1905. The liberal policies of the group, who advocated for western style rights and equality, drew support from all over the nation.
“The core of the Kadets’ message [in the election of 1905] was that they deserved the people’s support because they alone defended the true interests of the country. Their appeals contained alluring promises and dire predictions about the country’s fate, should the conservatives win. ‘The future of Russia depends on the result of these elections. If they produce a constitutional and democratic majority, Russia will enter the path of peaceful cultural, political and social life. If they produce a majority that is not for decisive reform, then civil war, shooting and blood will inundate Russia, will grow and spread, producing anarchy in the economic life of the country.'” (Historian Abraham Ascher cited by http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/other-russian-political-parties)
At the beginning of the 20th century, Russia had many anti-tsarist political movements. One of them, the Cadets (Liberal Constitutional Democrats) advocated constitutional monarchy and representative government. This group formed amidst the turmoil of 1905. The liberal policies of the group, who advocated for western style rights and equality, drew support from all over the nation.
“The core of the Kadets’ message [in the election of 1905] was that they deserved the people’s support because they alone defended the true interests of the country. Their appeals contained alluring promises and dire predictions about the country’s fate, should the conservatives win. ‘The future of Russia depends on the result of these elections. If they produce a constitutional and democratic majority, Russia will enter the path of peaceful cultural, political and social life. If they produce a majority that is not for decisive reform, then civil war, shooting and blood will inundate Russia, will grow and spread, producing anarchy in the economic life of the country.'” (Historian Abraham Ascher cited by http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/other-russian-political-parties)
Socialism |
Socialism sought to correct the problems of society caused by capitalism and industrialisation. Karl Marx, one of the key socialist thinkers, understood the functioning of society in terms of social and class conflict. According to this view, the workers were the victims of the wealthy industrialists, whereby they were taken advantage of and treated very poorly. With such a large portion of Russian society in the worker/peasant category, many would have felt some sympathy with socialist ideas.
Socialism sought to improve the lives of the everyday citizen. One of the main changes that was advocated was the change in working conditions and the working hours. As trade unions were not allowed in Russia at this time, the workers had no real avenue for change. There were two main groups in Russia that followed a socialist view of society. These were the Social Democratic Party (which later split into the Bolshevik and Menshevik groups) and the Socialist Revolutionary Party. The goals of these parties were similar; however the methods for achieving them were different. Both groups saw overthrow of the current rule as the only way to achieve change and rights for the general populace. However, it is notable that that Socialist Revolutionary Party was somewhat more radical, using assassination of important figures as a method for achieving their goals (similar to anarchism). |
You may find the following links to primary source documents useful:
The program of the Social Democratic Party found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/program-social-democrats-1903/
Extracts from the Communist Manifesto of 1848 written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/extracts-communist-manifesto-1848/
The program of the Social Democratic Party found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/program-social-democrats-1903/
Extracts from the Communist Manifesto of 1848 written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/extracts-communist-manifesto-1848/
The following source illustrates the various parties and the aims.
References for this page
Adams, A. (1965). Problems in European Civilization: Imperial Russia after 1861. Massachusetts: D.C Health and Company.
Anderson, M., Low, A., & Keese, I. (2007). Retrospective. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Crash Course (2012, September 6). Capitalism and Socialism: Crash Course in World History #33 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3u4EFTwprM
Dennett, B., & Dixon, S. (2008). Key features of modern history. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.
Marx, K. & Engles, F. (1848). The Communist Manifesto. Excerpts. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/extracts-communist-manifesto-1848/
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Social Democratic Party (1903). The Political Manifesto of The Social Democrats. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/program-social-democrats-1903/
Social Revolutionary Party (1905). The Political Manifesto of the Social Revolutionaries. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/the-political-program-of-the-socialist-revolutionaries-1905/
Adams, A. (1965). Problems in European Civilization: Imperial Russia after 1861. Massachusetts: D.C Health and Company.
Anderson, M., Low, A., & Keese, I. (2007). Retrospective. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Crash Course (2012, September 6). Capitalism and Socialism: Crash Course in World History #33 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3u4EFTwprM
Dennett, B., & Dixon, S. (2008). Key features of modern history. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.
Marx, K. & Engles, F. (1848). The Communist Manifesto. Excerpts. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/extracts-communist-manifesto-1848/
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
Social Democratic Party (1903). The Political Manifesto of The Social Democrats. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/program-social-democrats-1903/
Social Revolutionary Party (1905). The Political Manifesto of the Social Revolutionaries. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/the-political-program-of-the-socialist-revolutionaries-1905/