Russian Revolution: Precursors and Causes 1900-1917

Before the Revolution

In 1900, the Russian Empire had the following characteristics:

• The government was autocratic: the Tsar had unlimited power and authority. Civil rights were not recognized and political parties were repressed.
• The economy was semi-feudal: agricultural land was owned by a wealthy minority and worked by a peasant majority. In 1890, industrialization began, giving rise to the formation of a small bourgeoisie of business owners and a proletariat.
• There was social unrest: three-quarters of the population were peasants who lived in poverty and paid high taxes.

The Causes of the Revolution

During the rule of Tsar Nicholas II, his autocratic power decreased for various reasons:

• The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

  Russia and Japan fought for control of Manchuria. The war was unpopular because new taxes were imposed in order to pay for the conflict. The Russians were defeated.

• The Appearance of Political Parties

  Despite being forbidden, various political parties were created which opposed the Tsar.

  • The Constitutional Democratic Party

    They had liberal ideals and represented the landowners and middle-class businessmen. They did not want to do away with the Tsar. They wanted to have a parliament (Duma).

  • The Socialist Workers' Party

    They had Marxist ideals and considered the proletariat to be the revolutionary class. In 1903, they divided into two factions:

    • The Mensheviks (Minority)

      They believed that Russia was not ready for revolution as the working class was too weak and first there had to be a liberal regime. They wanted a parliament.

    • The Bolsheviks (Majority)

      They wanted to move directly from the Tsarist regime to a proletariat dictatorship through a revolution of the working class. Their leader was Lenin.

  • The Socialist Revolutionary Party

    They had socialist ideals but were not Marxist. They wanted a peasant revolution to end Tsarist rule.

• The 1905 Revolution

  In January 1905, the industrial workers in Saint Petersburg moved peacefully on the Winter Palace, the Tsar's residence, to ask for improvements in working conditions and political reform. The protesters were brutally suppressed and the protest became known as "Bloody Sunday". People responded with strikes and protests. Tsar Nicholas II agreed to make some political reforms and authorized the formation of a Duma (Parliament), elected by all the classes (landowners, workers, and peasants). But soon after, the Duma was dissolved and autocracy was reestablished.

• Participation in the First World War

  In 1914, the Russian Empire took part in the First World War because it was allied with Great Britain and France. They did not have enough food or weapons and 15 million soldiers were mobilized. The continuous defeats the army suffered under the leadership of the Tsar caused further discontent among the people.