Causes of the 1905 Revolution

Causes of the 1905 Revolution

In 1905 was a vast but backward country. Compared to Britain, Russia's

industry were undeveloped, also its people were poor and uneducated.

It was ruled by A Tsar who had complete power over the country. In

Britain it is a totally a different story, most of the people were

well off, not rich and not poor. Also the industry was the driving

force of the country. The vast majority of the country population

(80%) were Peasants who lived in poverty, living and working

conditions were dreadful for most Peasants. Famine and starvation was

very common and in some regions the life expectancy of Peasants was 40

years of age. Although this may be true, there were also some

prosperous Peasants, they were called Kulaks. Kulak's would have jobs

like Landlord or Farmer.

Although many Peasants were loyal to their Tsar, not all were. Many

were discontented with about the land owned by the Aristocracy, the

church and the Tsar. They wanted more land of their own to farm 80% of

the population were Peasants. The Tsar believed that God had placed

him in that position, at first he made many promises to his people

that he will be loyal and do what is best for them, as he knew what

was right for everybody. He ended up making many mistakes; firstly he

kept on interfering in every little thing with the government,

secondly he personally answered letters from peasants. He even wrote

out the instructions for the royal car to be brought round.

Substantially, he was the last Tsar (Monarch and King.) The power that

the Tsar had was immaculate, but he used it in the wrong places. The

Tsar could of easily given the Peasants a bett...

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...ised and led the protestors. In an

attempt to settle the dispute, George Gapon decided to make a personal

appeal to Nicholas II. He drew up a petition outlining the workers'

sufferings and demands. This included calling for a reduction in the

working day to eight hours, an increase in wages and an improvement in

working conditions. Gapon also called for the establishment to end the

Russian and Japanese war.

Over 150,000 people signed the petition and on 22nd January 1905,

Gapon led a large procession of workers to the Winter Palace in order

to present the petition to Nicholas II. When the procession of workers

reached the Winter Palace it was attacked by the police and the

Cossacks. Over 100 workers were killed and some 300 wounded. The

incident, known as Bloody Sunday, signalled the start of the 1905

Revolution.