Nicholas II, 1905, Political Events until 1914

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itICLN_TSWs&t=21s

●2.1 - government & Tsar, Nicholas II, political development to 1914, 1905 revolution, Duma government

Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov

• Born 18 May 1868

• Thought to be a weakling

• Strong autocratic values

• Unprepared to be Tsar

• Very controlled by his wife - Alexandra, German princess

1905 Revolution

• Jan 3rd - Putilov Iron works workers strike

• Jan 9th - Bloody Sunday

• unemployed workers march to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg

• led by Father Gapon.

• Had faith their Tsar would help

• Cossacks opened fire on them

• 150 dead or wounded

• Led to a loss of faith in the Tsar

• Russo-Japanese War

• 2nd Jan 1904 - Japan attacks Port Arthur

• Russia wanted to expand Trans-Siberian Railway to Port Arthur

• Tsar encouraged to engage in war by Plehve (Minister of Internal Affairs)

• Underestimated Japan strength, inadequate military planning, poor strategy

• 120,000 dead - Japan defeated Russia

October Manifesto

• Council of Ministers - responsible to Tsar, elected by Tsar

• Council of State Duma - elected by zemstva, church, nobility and unis

• Duma - elected for 5 year term, could pass laws

• Civil rights…