Reaching the Brink of Discontent
The Bloody Sunday Revolution 1905 |
.With all the social and economic hardships, the people decided to take a petition to their tsar, urging their “little father” to help his people and look past his corrupt advisors. This petition stated “Don’t refuse to help your people, lead them out of the grave of disfranchisement, poverty and ignorance…” (Gapon, 1905). The tsar did not relent in his ideas and the entire mission, known as Bloody Sunday, was a complete waste. On this day, a large crowd, led by the radical priest Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to present this petition to the Tsar, who was not actually present at the palace at the time. Troops were ordered to open fire at the crowd, killing many people and as a result many lost faith in the Tsar.
Thus the 1905 revolution began. Soviets were forming, mutinies were taking place and revolts and disturbances were spreading all over Russia. In October, the climax of the revolution, different opposition groups united in a general strike with transport and other vital things ceased to function. Workers participated in street demonstrations, riots, looting and the destruction of tsarist symbols. Police could not maintain law and order. Soldiers either could not be trusted or could not be transported quickly enough to trouble spots. Many people over the world recognised the significance of this day, with an American diplomat writing “…The present ruler has lost the affection of the Russian people, and whatever the future may have in store for the dynasty, the present Tsar will never again be safe in the midst of his people” (McCormick, 1905). |
To read more accounts of the Bloody Sunday Revolution, please see the following primary source documents:
US Ambassador McCormick's report found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/us-ambassador-bloody-sunday-1905/
The worker's petition to the Tsar found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/bloody-sunday-petition-1905/
Father Gapon's account found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/eyewitness-account-of-bloody-sunday-1905/
Lenin's views on the revolution found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/lenins-view-bloody-sunday-1905/
US Ambassador McCormick's report found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/us-ambassador-bloody-sunday-1905/
The worker's petition to the Tsar found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/bloody-sunday-petition-1905/
Father Gapon's account found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/eyewitness-account-of-bloody-sunday-1905/
Lenin's views on the revolution found at http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/lenins-view-bloody-sunday-1905/
The October Manifesto |
Nicholas became increasingly concerned with the revolts that were breaking out all over Russia. He consulted with his advisers, in particular Prime Minister Witte, and they determined that Nicholas had two options. They could either crush the rebellions by armed force or grant the people their civil rights. Violence created more backlash, so a document was drawn up granting the people some necessary liberties. The document stated that freedom of conscience, speech, meeting and association would be granted to the people. Moreover, citizens would not be imprisoned without trial. Perhaps the most significant concession was the creation of a representative body of the people called the Duma. No law could become operative without the approval of the people through the Duma. After much hesitation, Nicholas signed this document on October 14th 1905, and it became known as the October Manifesto. The manifesto was by no means ideal for the Tsar as it undermined his autocratic rule, with the resolution being forced upon him.
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References for this page
All Russias (n.d.). The October Manifesto. Retrieved from http://www.allrussias.com/tsarist_russia/1905_11.asp
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Dennett, B., & Dixon, S. (2008). Key features of modern history. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.
Documents in Russian History (2009). Manifesto of October 17th, 1905. Retrieved from http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php/Manifesto_of_October_17th,_1905
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.Gapon, G. (1905). Gapon’s eyewitness account of Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/eyewitness-account-of-bloody-sunday-1905/
Gapon, G. (1905). The Bloody Sunday Petition to the Tsar. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/bloody-sunday-petition-1905/
Lenin, V. (1905). Lenin’s view of Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/lenins-view-bloody-sunday-1905/
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.
McCormick, R. (1905). Report on Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/us-ambassador-bloody-sunday-1905/
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.
All Russias (n.d.). The October Manifesto. Retrieved from http://www.allrussias.com/tsarist_russia/1905_11.asp
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Dennett, B., & Dixon, S. (2008). Key features of modern history. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.
Documents in Russian History (2009). Manifesto of October 17th, 1905. Retrieved from http://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php/Manifesto_of_October_17th,_1905
Florinsky, M. (1964). Russia, A Short History. New York: The Macmillan Company.Gapon, G. (1905). Gapon’s eyewitness account of Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/eyewitness-account-of-bloody-sunday-1905/
Gapon, G. (1905). The Bloody Sunday Petition to the Tsar. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/bloody-sunday-petition-1905/
Lenin, V. (1905). Lenin’s view of Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/lenins-view-bloody-sunday-1905/
Massie, R. (1967). Nicholas and Alexandra: the Last Tsar and his Family. London: Head of Zeus Ltd.
McCormick, R. (1905). Report on Bloody Sunday. Retrieved from http://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/us-ambassador-bloody-sunday-1905/
Proctor, H. (1995). Ruling Russia: From Nicholas II to Stalin. Melbourne: Longman.