Why Did Revolution Break Out in Russia in 1905?
Why did Revolution break out in Russia in 1905? In 1905, thousands of people gathered outside the Winter Palace, demanding change and immediate reform. Although their revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, it is important to wonder why many people were disgruntled with the Tsarist regime. It can be argued that 1905 revolution resulted in both long-term and crucial short term factors: the long-term factors which will be discussed are peasant land-hunger, the declining economy and the exploitation of Jews. For the first factor, I will begin by discussing the reign of Alexander II to Nicholas II; this will allow us to show the developments in time of peasant outrage. Secondly, the essay will discuss the reign of Alexander III who began terrible pogroms towards Jews and continued by Nicholas II, specifically the great pogroms of the early 1900’s. For the third area, the deteriorating economy created high unemployment and instability within the country. The key short term areas to discuss are: the disgruntlement of the working classes, Russo-Japanese war affected the social classes; it made people realise that Russia was possibly still a backward country because she lost the war; the trigger factor was Bloody Sunday which was the limit for many Russians because the protesters were shot dead by the Red Guard. It is also important to understand why each Tsar introduced certain policies, for a larger context. Thus, there are a variety of long-term and short-term factors to discuss. Let us firstly consider the long-term problem of peasant land hunger which led to the 1905 revolution. To understand this fully, it is crucial we look at the reign of Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II which will allow us to analyse the changes and developments in time. The historian Maureen Perrie argues that the origins of the 1905 revolution can be traced back to the reign of Alexander II; she specifically points to the role of the peasantry arguing the involvement of the peasantry
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