1894-1905

Key Dates:

• 1894- Start of Nicholas' reign
• 1894-1906- Tenure of Witte
• 1898- Formation of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party
• 1901- Formation of the Socialist Revolutionaries
• 1903- RSDLP split into Bolsheviks and Menshevik's
• 1904-05- Russo-Japanese War
• 1905- End of the war (Treaty of Portsmouth), Bloody Sunday, October Manifesto, Introduction of the Duma's

Why was Russia a backward's country?

Russia at the time can be viewed in 3 different factors, Economic, political and social. The russian economy at the time was inferior, and had been stagnating due to harsh winters and backwards farming methods. In addition to this banking was underdeveloped and there was no real demand for any consumer products. Politically, Russia was extremely autocratic. The Romanov Dynasty had ruled since 1613, and were he sole family in control. They were supported by nobles, the Okhrana secret police, and a reactionary church, whilst also benefitting from the outlawing of political opposition and a conscripted army. Russia was also backwards socially. Over 80% of Russia's 130 million occupants were peasants, called the dark masses. There were around 800,000 industrial workers, and around 3500 people at 6 universities. Society was expected to stay in its heirarchical state, and as such there wasn't any demand to develop. In addition to this, russia was large and a cold place.

What problems were there with Reform?

Russian society was divided into two camps on how society at the time should be goverened. The slavophiles viewed themselves as the defenders of Slavic tradition. They didn't want Russia to modernise and viewed themselves as the defenders of Slavic culture. However, the westerners did want to modernise. They were in support of reforms along the same lines as that of more developed western european powers. Aside from these divisions, reform could only come from the Tsar, and Nicholas did not want to weaken his position.

Nicholas' problems:

• Nicholas had an extremely conservative tutor when he was growing up, who despised both democracy and liberalism. As such, a lot of his ideas played on Nicholas and made him unpopular
• Nicholas was easily manipulated, particularly by his wife and Rasputin
• Nicholas lacked the imagination to create any new policies, instead choosing to continue on Alexander III's work
• Nicholas was mistrustful of most of his ministers

Sergei Witte and…