Causes of the 1905 Revolution

• Grievances of the proletariat - low pay, long hours, poor working conditions
• Grievances of the peasants - lack of land - helf back by the Mir
• Russia's autocratic system of government - the Tsar wanted to keep it this way too, even ignoring changes suggested by moderate liberals. 

• Russo-Japanese war (1904-05) 

- Humiliation of defeat to little Japan - shows Tsar's government's incompetence 

- It intensified Russia's economic problems - created shortages of basic goods at home - led to severe inflation. 

• Higher taxes on peasants and proletariat to pay for Russia's industrialisation programme. 
• Poor harvests 1900 + 1902.
• Boom in industry of 1890s becomes a slump in early 20th century. 

• Events known as Bloody Sunday in January 1905. This is when the Tsar's forces massacred innocent protesters marching to winter palace to present a petition to Tsar.