Russian Revolution of 1905
The Russian Revolution of 1905 was a significant political and social upheaval driven by the widespread discontent among workers and peasants in Russia. Triggered by dire economic conditions, harsh labor environments, and a humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the revolution began with peaceful protests led by Father Georgi Gapon. The most notable event was "Bloody Sunday" on January 22, 1905, when a peaceful march to the Winter Palace ended in violence, resulting in many deaths and injuries. This incident marked a crucial turning point that intensified the revolution, prompting strikes and uprisings across the country.
As opposition to Tsar Nicholas II grew, demands shifted from seeking immediate relief to broader political reforms, including freedom of speech and the establishment of a parliament. In response to the mounting pressure, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, which promised a constitution and the formation of the Duma as a means to quell unrest. However, the revolution highlighted deep-rooted issues that would continue to challenge the tsarist regime, ultimately leading to further upheaval in the years that followed. The 1905 Revolution was a precursor to the more significant Russian Revolution of 1917, setting the stage for profound changes in Russian society and governance.
Russian Revolution of 1905
The Russian Revolution of 1905 took place amid, and largely because of, harsh conditions for Russian employees. This reached a peak in 1904. In 1905, workers marched to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, and a battle ensued. The event had been instigated by Father Gapon, a Russian Orthodox priest who led the people in protest. The battle that became known as "Bloody Sunday" saw many dead and wounded. This incident spearheaded a series of events that collectively encompassed the Russian Revolution of 1905. At the time of the Russian Revolution, Nicholas II was the tsar. The Russo-Japanese War and the embarrassing defeat had also compounded the discontent, as had the plummeting economic situation in the country. What had started as a peaceful attempt to initiate change exploded into a mass of conflicts, bloody battles, strikes, and ultimately, revolution.
Brief History
Father Gapon. Father Georgi Gapon (1870–1960) was a Russian priest, the son of a peasant family. From the outset of his career, Gapon was concerned about the poor. The appallingly low wages and excessive hours of the average worker, together with the harsh factory conditions in which they worked, troubled him deeply. The Assembly of Russian Workers was started by Gapon in 1903, and its membership rapidly reached the thousands. By 1904, working conditions were so bad, the economy was at a low, and poor people were unable to afford basic items. Industrial action and a workers' strike by 110,000 raised the bar of what would follow. Gapon, who had initiated the action, then sought to settle what had become sparring factions between the strikers and the troops who had been called in. He appealed to Tsar Nicholas II by drawing up a petition on behalf of the workers.
The Petition. The petition was written with the intention of enlisting the sympathy and help of the tsar. The wording was in the form of a plea, begging the ruler to come to the assistance of the poor, oppressed, and overburdened workers, who adopted the title of beggars in the petition. "The moment has come for us when death would be better than the prolongation of our intolerable sufferings," they stated, urging the tsar to help his people. The workers were not aiming to overthrow the government; rather, they came impoverished to seek help, believing they would enlist the compassion of their tsar. Gapon also set out, through the petition, to advocate for universal suffrage and for the termination of the Russo-Japanese War. The petition garnered 150,000 signatures. The signing took place on January 22, 1905, and was carried within a procession of workers, marching to the Winter Palace on a cold winter day filled with snow. Gapon, his bodyguards, women, children, and workers participated. They were met by advancing Cossacks coming toward them, swords in hand. A massacre occurred, resulting in hundreds of fatalities and wounded workers, women, and children. Gapon miraculously stayed alive; he met his end when he was murdered by Socialist Revolutionary Party members, on a visit to Finland a year after the revolution.
Overview
Causes of the War. The major contributory factors leading to the Russian Revolution of 1905 include: the horrific working and living conditions of the peasants and workers, the economic situation, and the defeat of the Russians by the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war. The peasants were forced to pay taxation in the form of produce, inducing them to experience great hardship, extreme poverty, and oftentimes famine. Riots were frequent. Workers' conditions exacerbated the feelings of discontent. Factory conditions and severely cramped and under-equipped accommodations in addition to inadequate sanitation made work and home life almost intolerable. When the economy dipped at the beginning of the 1900s, it made an already difficult situation disastrous. As Russia and Japan went to war during 1904 and 1905 regarding Chinese territories, the Russians suffered a devastating defeat. This compounded the criticism of Tsar Nicholas II and his regime. Embarrassed by the defeat and the peace treaty that was necessary, people lost confidence in the tsar. Furthermore, the defeat resulted in a mutiny on the Russian Potemkin battleship in June 1905.
Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday was the name given to the bloody massacre that took place on the Sunday of January 22. What had begun as a peaceful march with a petition presented to the tsar ended as a violent attack by the Cossacks. The workers no longer believed that they could trust, let alone be treated justly, by the tsar or his government. Bloody Sunday marked the turning point and became the crucial incident that triggered the beginning of the Russian Revolution of 1905, according to most scholarly opinions. The juxtaposition of what had commenced as a nonviolent protest in contrast to the extreme force exerted by the troops highlighted the unjustified actions of the government.
Bloody Sunday sparked escalating strikes (at first peaceful) as well as attacks on the landlords' homes by raging peasants. The Grand Duke Sergei, uncle of Tsar Nicholas II, was assassinated by violent radicals. Soon the demonstrations moved from the initial plea for help to greater political demands. Freedom of speech, a parliament, and political parties were demanded. A strike in Moscow in October 1905 was no longer only among factory workers, but doctors and revolutionaries joined forces. The Russian Revolution of 1905 culminated in widespread dissension over four cities in Russia, but centered predominantly in St. Petersburg.
Nicholas II. Tsar Nicholas II was the last tsar to rule in Russia. Discontent and disillusionment in his abilities and that of his government spurred increasing opposition. The revolution that transpired led to Nicholas II having to adapt the regime by granting a constitution and forming a parliament, called the Duma. His October Manifesto laid out the proposed changes and appeased the people temporarily. During the First World War, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate when the army also no longer supported him. After a period of imprisonment, the tsar and his family were executed on 17 July 1918.
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