The Russian Revolution of 1905

The Russian Revolution of 1905, also known as the First Russian Revolution, swept across the Russian Empire on 22 January. It was an uprising of mass political unrest that targeted the ruling class, the nobility, and the Tsar. After the revolution ended, the Tsar Nicholas II remained in power.Social unrest swept the Russian Empire in 1905
The Russian Empire went through a period of social unrest in 1905, with a general strike in October paralyzing the country. In response, the tsar granted an elected parliament limited powers. Yet mutinies continued throughout 1905 and into 1906. The regime increased repression and mistrusted the newly legalized political parties. The first and second sessions of the Duma were more radical than the regime had hoped for. A new, docile assembly was eventually created by imperial fiat.Initially, the revolution was rooted in a series of problems within Russian society. A combination of worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies led to widespread unrest. Nationalist movements backed the rebels and boosted the uprising. Eventually, the revolution spread to non-Russian regions of the empire. Meanwhile, the Black Hundreds and other extremist groups violently resisted the revolution, attacking socialists and staging pogroms against Jews.Industrialists played a central role in the revolution
The revolution of 1905 was a popular uprising against the tsarist regime and a defining moment in Russian history. The Russian revolution of 1905 was the first major social emancipation movement. It was triggered by many factors, beginning with strikes and spreading through various forms of struggle.Industrialists had a long history of political organizing and labor activism. The railway workshops, for example, produced Bolshevik organizers like Ivan Avdeev. Workers in railway workshops formed self-defense units during a pogrom, demonstrating their common rights to liberty and civil freedom.Tsar Nicholas II remained in power
The Russian revolution of 1905 began as a wave of social and political unrest. The autocratic regime had faced increasing challenges, and social and economic changes had put strain on the political system. Attempts to reform the system by the former prime minister Sergei Witte were modestly successful, but were not enough to avert the uprising. The Russo-Japanese war, along with a series of deadly attacks on the Winter Palace, fueled mass protests.While the 1905 revolution led to the establishment of a Russian Duma, the Tsar remained in power. He did not appoint a constituent assembly or create a democratic republic, which would have made the government more transparent and accountable to the people. Instead, he relegated the functions of the Duma to an advisory role. The October Manifesto, however, declared that no law would be passed without the approval of the Imperial Duma.Russo-Japanese War ended
The Russo-Japanese war lasted for a short period of time and ended with an embarrassing defeat for the Russian Empire. The war was started by disputes over territory and influence in south-east Asia, and it exposed the flaws in the tsarist regime. Tsar Nicholas II had long hoped to expand the Russian empire into Asia, but he entered the war overconfident and misjudged the Japanese military's capability to fight a war.The war was the first in modern history in which an Asian country defeated a European superpower. It strengthened Japanese nationalism and boosted resistance to Western imperialism throughout Asia. However, the defeat also stoked fears in Europe and contributed to their thinking about the future. German Kaiser Wilhelm II even warned of a yellow peril.Provisional government formed
The Provisional Government formed during the Russian revolution of 1905 had a number of important tasks. It sought to restore order and law in Russia, as well as enact significant political reforms. The Provisional Government also continued to pursue the war on the Eastern Front. In addition, the Provisional Government oversaw the end of the Romanov dynasty. On 2 March, Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, abdicated. His successor, Mikhail Aleksandrovich, became Grand Duke of Russia.The Provisional Government faced a number of difficulties during its first term. The first crisis involved Russia's war policy. The Foreign Minister Milyukov advocated a vigorous prosecution of the war while simultaneously recognizing the obligations of the existing treaties. For example, the Russian government was bound by its treaty obligations to acquire Constantinople. However, his position led to angry demonstrations and the fall of the first coalition government. After that, the second Provisional Government adopted the Soviet line of "Revolutionary Defensism" and fought to achieve peace while protecting the country from foreign military threats.Days of Freedom
The Days of Freedom were a time of great unrest and struggle. Peasants and workers with political organisation began to strike and protest against the oppressive rule of the Tsarist government. Cossacks broke up a workers meeting, arresting over 20 men. The protests lasted for four days. The government sent troops to suppress the unrest and restore order. Eventually, on 12 June, all prisoners were released. The government regained control of the army and Trans-Siberian railway. However, the events that unfolded in the following months were not without tragic consequences.The Communists were determined to regain control of the country. They began to hold public demonstrations and banquets, aiming to circumvent the laws prohibiting political gatherings. Their tactic was inspired by the French Revolution of 1848. The resulting rallies and banquets inspired calls for political reform and a constitution. In addition, the Moscow City Duma passed a resolution demanding an elected national legislature. Other cities passed similar resolutions.