Russian Revolution: Czarist Decline and Soviet Emergence

Czarist Russia: A Difficult Modernization

Government: An autocracy based on the absolute power of the Tsar. Nicholas II reigned from 1894 to 1917. Its power base included the landed gentry, administrative officials, the army, police, and the Church.

Political Opposition

• Democratic Constitutionalists
• Revolutionary Populist Socialists (predominantly peasant-based)
• Worker-based Parties:
  • Mensheviks
  • Bolsheviks
• Soviets (emerging workers' councils)

Socioeconomic Conditions

Population: 63 million inhabitants in 1857, 92 million in 1896, and 122 million in 1913.

Nations within the Russian Empire:

• Since the 18th century: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• Since the late 17th century: Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and Finland.
• From the late 19th century: Central Asian territories.

Society: Liberal reforms bolstered the peasant population, leading to the emergence of wealthy peasants (Kulaks). The working class was small. The Tsarist regime appeared. The nobility was divided, with a wealthy minority opposing the Tsarist regime.

Economy: Weak industrialization, state-funded. Between 1860 and 1914, the Russian population tripled. Industry was limited to certain zones. Dependence on foreign capital to finance industrialization.

The 1905 Revolution

Triggered by: The Russo-Japanese War and economic crisis.

Key Participants: Workers, peasants, parts of the army, and intellectuals.

Essential Events: Bloody Sunday, the appearance of Soviets, and naval mutinies.

Measures Taken After the Insurrection: Amnesty, freedoms of press, assembly, and association, creation of a parliament (Duma) elected by wide suffrage, and agrarian reform aimed at creating a class of wealthy peasants.

The February 1917 Revolution: End of Tsarist Rule

Triggered by: Limitations of previous reforms, World War I, and a severe food crisis.

Key Participants: Workers, the army, and opposition political parties.

Principal Events: Spontaneous strikes and demonstrations against the war and shortages, military support for the strikers, reorganization of the Petrograd Soviet, and the dissolution of the Duma.

Measures Taken After the Insurrection: The abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of a dual power structure: an interim government dominated by liberals (led by Prince Lvov) and the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.