Case Study A: The Last Romanov

Outcomes

A student:
› describes the nature of continuity and change in the modern world MH11-1

› proposes ideas about the varying causes and effects of events and developments
MH11-2

› analyses the role of historical features, individuals, groups and ideas in shaping the past
MH11-3

› accounts for the different perspectives of individuals and groups MH11-4

› examines the significance of historical features, people, ideas, movements, events and
developments of the modern world MH11-5

› analyses and interprets different types of sources for evidence to support an historical
account or argument MH11-6

› discusses and evaluates differing interpretations and representations of the past

MH11-7

› communicates historical understanding, using historical knowledge, concepts and

terms, in appropriate and well-structured forms MH11-9

Russian Revolution Background:

Revolutions are relatively sudden, violent and fundamental changes to government
which, over a period of time, change the nature of society as well. Where revolutions are
unsuccessful, or limited in their location or extent, they tend to be called rebellions,
revolts, insurrections or uprisings
- autocratic rule for hundreds of years. → absolute power to the tsar → belief of
the divine right of kings (right to the throne due to their connection to God).
- Orthodox reigned as the primary religion in tsarist Russia.
 - The church entices the public in believing and having faith in the system, and the
police enforce that submission.
1. Political, social and economic grievances in Russia at the time of Tsar Nicholas II.
Content
Political:
- Political discontent with Russia's system of rulership and government,
authoritarianism. → Failures in World War 1, Russo-Japanese war, industrial
revolution.
- At the end of the 19th century, peasants noticeably contributed to about 80% of
the population.
- Social stratification → a high concentration of power, privilege and wealth in the
upper classes (monarchy, military and church) . → emergence of political groups.
→ Social Democrats (the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks), Socialist
Revolutionaries, Kadets (Constitutional Monarchists, middle-class liberals).
- Emerging ideas of socialism and communism.
Karl Marx’s theory: Marxist Theory
- A theory created by German philosopher, Karl Marx.
- Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy named after Karl Marx. It
examines the effect of capitalism on labour, productivity, and economic
development and argues for a worker revolution to overturn capitalism in favour
of communism. Feudalism → | Capitalism → Socialism | Communism.
-
Feudalism: Agriculturally based society. Hierarchical society controlled by a monarch.
Wealth is connected to land and ownership of the land, with a vast majority of the
population being rural workers (lower class scarce rights and freedoms).
Capitalism: Industrialisation brings an increase in production more resources created
with greater efficiency growth in the middle-class population {bourgeoise} and the
working class {proletariat}. The working and living conditions of the proletariat (urban
working class) become worse crowded accommodation, spread of illness, long working
hours, unsafe working conditions.
Socialism: Concequential to unbearable working and living conditions, the prolitariat, the
working class, revolts, taking control of the state and means of production. . The state is
run as a “Dictatorship of the Proletariat” on behalf of the urban workers. All businesses
and properties are owned by the state {means of production}. resources are equally
distributed appropriately according to contribution {provide the working class with equal
share}. State wants to remove all class barriers everyone is treated equally, with fair
living and working conditions.
Communism: There is no longer a need for a state as people live and work and cooperate
communally. Businesses and property are operated communally for the benefits of the
whole society. The concept of ownership is no longer relevant. Resources created
efficiently and shared equally. Mix of both rural and urban workers. No social classes,
everyone is fair, equal and a part of a harmonious community.

Social:
• Social stratification → upper class (nobles and clergy) made up less than 1% of
the entire population of Russia. The middle class (intelligentsia and middle-income
workers) make up 3% of the population → began to resent the autocracy of the Tsar and
subsequently, favouring western, socialist, and liberal ideas. The peasantry (agricultural
workers) made up the majority at an extreme 97% → supported the Tsar as they were
heavily influenced by their religion, viewing Nicholas II as their “little father”.
• Resources and wealth that was generated by the productive class was unequally
redistributed to the non-productive class. The burden of taxation fell heavily on the
peasantry and lower class. → Russian bourgousie begin to question Tsarist authority and
demand the reorganisation of government and redistribution of resources and tax.

Economic:
- Russia was socioeconomically backward when compared with the rest of Western
Europe, and wanted to keep up with the rest of the world.
- Rapid industrialization in Russia created an emphasis on producing coal, iron,
steel, and railways, a stark contrast to the primary production of oats and rye.
- Emphasis on producing as efficiently as possible → sacrificing the workers living
and working conditions (poor, dangerous and inadequate).
- Many workers went on frequent strikes. The Tsar was only able to help to a
limited extent as the factories were owned by foreign powers and the
government was in extreme debt.
- Outputs doubled between 1890 and 1900.
- Industrialization → strengthened the working class → agricultural peasants
became factory workers in search of earning an adequate wage → led to
urbanisation, in which towns and cities were established or expanded. → the
population trebled.
 - Whilst the Russian economy strengthened, the people, the working class,
suffered immensely in return for national prosperity.

2. Tsar Nicholas II as a leader.

Prince Nicholas Alexandrovich Romanov (1868 -1918)

- Ascended to the Russian throne after the sudden assassination of his father,
Alexander the III, leaving him as the 14th and final Tsar (emperor / king) of the Romanov
dynasty (1894).
- In March of 1917, under pressure from revolutionaries, irate workers and soldiers,
Nicholas abdicated from the throne.
- In July of 1918, the entire Romanov family was shot and killed by communist
soldiers.

Nicholas’s Character
- He knew very little about the domains he {Russia} controlled and paid scant
regard about the aspirations of his people {especially the poorer / lower class}. →
indifferent to the needs of the Russian people.
- He was patriotic, with an immense love and loyalty for his country. → ethnocentric →
hated minority groups.
- Described as a soft-spoken, dedicated son.
- Arrogant, moody, reclusive, and accusative.
- Cruel and merciless violent.
- Insensitive to the needs of those he didn’t like. {peasants}
- Lacked in possessing administrative skills that an enlightened monarch should
have. → “His ancestors did not pass on to him one quality which would have made him
capable of governing an empire”, Trotskey.
“The daily work of a monarch he found intolerably boring. He could not stand listening
long or seriously to ministers’ reports, or reading them.” Written by Kerensky in 1934.
- Easily influenced by those around him, especially his strong-willed wife,
Alexandria.
“He never had an opinion of his own … always agreeing with the judgement of the last
person he spoke to.” By Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich
“A narrow-minded, prejudiced man, who was incapable of tolerating people who did not
fit his conception of the true Russian. He disliked the national minorities…He lacked the
personal drive and ambition…” – A. Ascher.
- While he loved Russia as a nation and claimed to protect and provide for all his
subjects, he failed greatly. Despite this, the Russian people, especially the peasants
supported the monarchy, looking to them for solutions to their desperate situations.
However, these solutions never appeared.
- Nicholas was a devoted family man: Prioritised family > Russia’s grievances.
- The Tsar’s tutor, Pobedonostev, was a bigot and extreme nationalist who believed
that Russia could only be held by autocracy. → violently anti-sematic (Jews suffered) →
liberalism brought sorrow and pain whereas autocracy brought law, order and happiness
indoctrinated these values into Nicholas.
- He was very anti-Semitic and praised regiments that put down disorders.
● Tsar Nicholas and his leadership, including his distraction as a result of his focus
on family life and his sick son
● Alexandra - her German heritage and her relationship with Rasputin
● Rising discontent in Russia and the emergence of new ideas such as socialism

Nicholas’s as an Autocratic Ruler

He was never formally trained to be a Tsar → poorly prepared for the burdens of
kingship as he had scant knowledge of the world of men, politics, and the government.
“…quite incapable of exercising power. This was an autocracy without an autocrat.’ –
Orlando FIges
“even more poorly prepared than his father for the burdens of kingship. Nicholas had
no knowledge of the world of men, of politics or government to help him make the
weighty decisions that in the Russian system the Tsar alone must make.” From H.
Rogger, Russia in the Age of Modernisation and Revolution, 1983
- He rarely witnessed Russia’s enormous social problems and grinding poverty.
- At this time, Russia was vast, unwieldy, beset w/ problems and subject to
revolutionary violence. Nicholas was an unsuitable ruler as he was vacillating, weak and
indecisive. Additionally, he lacked physical presence due to his short stature.
The problem for Nicholas was that he had to manage Russia though a time of major
social and economic change.

Judgement
 - Privately, the Tsar was regarded as a charming family man, known to be devoted
to both his faith and family. However, in public he failed to acknowledge and support
Russia’s lower class, leaving them unsatisfied and without solutions to Russia’s
numerous problems. Additionally, Tsar Nicholas II was greatly unprepared to ascend to
the role as Russian Tsar and therefore, was unable to appropriately bear the weight of
the Russian empire.
- He may have felt obligated to uphold the ruthless nature of Tsarist rule.
- His rule seems to be on the basis of obligation rather than political interest or skill.

3. New ideas and groups are emerging in Russia.

- In the 19th century, improved transport and communication meant that modern
revolutionary and reformist ideas, such as liberalism and socialism, began to filter
into Russia. → increasingly literate society, even in rural areas.
- Political discontent was plaguing Russian society during Tsar Nicholas II regime, as
the failures of World War II and the Russo-Japanese war inspired a wave of
resentment towards Russia’s current political system and prompted the
emergence of several opposing political groups.
- Military defeats in the Russo-Japanese War added to the grievances of the
peasants, workers and reformist groups, leading to the events known as the 1905
Revolution.

Reasons for resenting the Tsar and his regime:

Peasants Urban Class Workers

● Population growth meant that land
possession was reduced
● Poor-quality soil was unsuitable for farming
● Russia’s cold climate caused a short growing
season
● Economic backwardness among the peasant
class
● Inefficiencies of communal agriculture
● The standard of living was very low because
of early industrialisation
● Overpopulation meant crowded housing
● Deplorable sanitary conditions
● Exposure to long working hours
● No laws to protect workers from hazards
● Low wages
● exposure to new political ideas through the
● Many peasants were in debt to the liberal press
government
●

Liberal Ideology
Freedom of speech
Free trade
Open competition
Individual rights and freedoms
Equality in society

Oktoberists:
- Satisfied with the 1905 reforms.

Russian Monarchist Party

- Opposed adoptions of Western European traditions
- Supported an authoritarian Tsar
- NB: They wanted no change

Constitutional Democrats (Cadets):

- Wanted a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain.
- Liberal ideas.
- Wanted peaceful political change.
- Handover of power to an elected ‘duma’ (Russian parliament).
- Supported by the small, wealthy, well-educated population.
The Social Democrat Party (Divided into two separate groups in 1903)
- They followed the communist teachings of Karl Marx
- Divided by their attitude towards the middle class and the methods of seizing
power.
- Believed in aspects of liberal ideology: equality and freedom. → differed in
economic views: believed in the even distribution of wealth through elimination
of private ownership, maximum government intervention and a lack of any
economic oppression

1. Bolsheviks (Majority)
 - Wanted to get rid of the Tsar and autocratic political system.
- Wanted the proletariat revolution without middle class help.
- Led by a small group of educated individuals.
- Would use violence if deemed necessary.
2. Mensheviks (Minority)
- Wanted to get rid of the Tsar and autocratic political system.
- Wanted the proletariat revolution with the help of the middle class.
- Led by middle class educated people.
- Would not use violence. → gradually move towards a communist society.

The Social Revolutionaries

- Supported by a small selection of peasants and favoured seizing power by
revolution.
- Once in power, they would change the system of land ownership to make life
better for the peasants.
- The size of the group and ignorance of the peasantry made it impossible to
organise mass movements.
- Abolition of class and private property.

Tsarist Supporters:
- Noble classes
- The church
- Wealthiest middle class. → invested in the new factories and were grateful for his
control of the working class.
- Some peasantry: Due to their devotion to their faith in catholic orthodox, the
peasantry completely supported the Tsarist regime, believing that Nicholas had
the ‘divine right’ as an emperor. → loyalty to the Tsar was loyalty to God.

Tsar Reaction to Opposition

- Completely ruthless to protesters, using military force to put down street
demonstrations with brutal force.
- Okhrana: Russian secret police force. → Spied on every aspect of Russian life,
they would arrest protesters before ‘trouble’ could even occur. → kept political
organisations weak and disordered.
 - Suspects of disloyalty to the Tsar’s regime were: tortured, imprisoned, exciled, or
exterminated.

4. Key events in the lead up to the February Revolution.

Event: The Russo-Japanese War
What: War between Russia and Japan over imperial interests
When: 1904-1905
Where: The war highlighted the Russian and Japanese interest in the area and resources
of Korea and China. Russia’s moves eastwards to connect to Vladivostok via the
Trans-Siberian Railway threatened Japan’s security and imperial interests in the area.
Why: The increasing presence of Russia in the east, their consolidation of seaports for
trade and defence, and their increasing hold of China and Korea infuriated Japan,
provoking them to attack at one of Russia’s sea ports in China. Both countries declared
war.
Outcome: The war lasted for 19 months, with 16 battles occurring over land and sea in
China, Russia and Korea. The decisive Battle of the Tsushima Straits crippled the Russian
navy in the region.
Russia’s epic defeat was due to
● Russia being economically backward and unmodernised.
● Japan’s newly formed alliance with Britain (Anglo-Japanese alliance).

Impact: Both Russia and Japan suffered high numbers of killed and wounded soldiers.
The war was costly and created dramatic food shortages. Psychologically, the loss to an
Asian country damaged the tsarist regime. Criticism of Tsar Nicholas increased as
inflation, low wages, famines and dismal working conditions created new levels of
poverty and despair. Protest and revolutionary activities rapidly increased.
- Casualties, economic decline and loss of morale.

Event: 1905 Revolution / Bloody Sunday

What: The government allowed the formation of a ‘legal’ union of St Petersburg factory
workers, led by Okhrana agent Gapon. When Putilov steel workers were sacked, Gapon
helped the union write a list of demands to take to the Tsar at the Winter Palace as part
of a peaceful demonstration.
→ led by an Orthodox priest.
When: January 1905
Where: The crowds congregated on the grounds of the Winter Palace, carrying signs,
banners and copies of their demands.
Why: By the end of 1904, Russia was in turmoil. With a foundering economy and harvest
failures, food prices skyrocketed while the level of real wages fell to 25%. This was a
demonstration of the rising discontent. As it was during the war, it demonstrated the
difficult conditions the war was creating.
Outcome: While Gapon believed Okhrana agents would be sympathetic to the cause.The
Okhrana believed that the demonstration had become a problem by challenging state
security and the sanctity of the Romanov dynasty. The protest turned into a massacre as
demonstrators were shot dead by government troops. The blood on the snow led to the
name ‘Bloody Sunday’.
- Modern estimates suggest that about 200 people were killed, and about 800
wounded.
Impact:
- Crippling effect upon the Tsarist regime.
The event highlighted the ruthlessness of the tsarist regime. It did not help to solve the
social and economic issues that the workers were trying to bring to attention, and
shattered the idea of the tsar and protector and carer.
→ sparked further revolutionary actions → 400 000 workers strike in January alone.
Robert Service – “The monarchy’s fate hung by a thread.”

Event: October Manifesto

- After Bloody Sunday and the failures of the Russo-Japanese war, political groups
increased their political action against the Tsar. → Peasant uprisings, emergence
of Soviet: Strike led by Leon Trotskey in St Petersburg 1905.
Outcome: In August, Tsar Nicholas II issued a statement suggesting future political
reform. → ‘October Manifesto’, which promised civil liberties, a new constitution, legal
political parties and the creation of a duma (a national parliament). He also stated
autocratic rule had ended.
Impact: The October Manifesto created temporary relief from political discontent and
conflict. While few changes were made, the October Manifesto gave the promise of
improved conditions in the future.

Event: The Duma

 - Duma → National parliament. (declared as part of the OM)
- Intended to allow for representation of all, but was disjointed and still dominated
by those loyal to the Tsar.
- Convened between 1906 and 1907, lasted only three and four months
respectively.
- The Duma placated the middle class and intelligentsia by allowing for
representation. This meant that many political ideologies were represented.
- Unbalanced and primarily consisted of supporters of the Romanov’s and
members of the bourgeoisie.
- Those representing the poorest classes were often outvoted.
- Impact: 1905 created a revolutionary atmosphere which the government was
struggling to manage. Violent uprisings continued between 1908 and 1914, while
Russia sunk into a state of despair

Event: WW1
What: Russia fought with France and Britain throughout World War 1. They faced the
Austro-Hungarians in the East and struggled to gain any victories. During 1915, Tsar
Nicholas II became his own Commander-in-Chief, leaving the Tsarina to command the
homefront.
When: 1914 till their withdrawal in 1917.
Where: Russia fought on the Eastern Front.
Reasons for Russia’s Loss:
● Lack of Russian industry (as opposed to Germany)
● The army comprised of ill-trained conscripted peasants
● Lack of weaponry, military production
● Demoralisation and disillusionment of the army

Impact: At first, the war proved to be a great thing for Russia. Going to battle kept
people’s minds off the various concerns and problems that had become so characteristic
of late imperial Russia up till then.
As a result of shortages, many started the question the purpose of their suffering and
looking for someone to blame. By late 1916 all faith in the government had disappeared.
The Tsar’s role as Commander-in-Chief meant he was directly responsible for the war.
“ the First World War brought about the February Revolution not only through its effects
on the social and economic position of the ordinary people – the workers and soldiers –
 of Petrograd, but also through its impact on the attitudes of the elite of Russian society
towards the Tsar.”
Social Impacts
o Food Shortages were the most visible sign of hardship, creating
social problems in the cities.
o Discontent led to a growing strike movement based on wages
and demands for food deepening anger of the Russian people.
o Military defeats, distant leadership and economic disaster
resulted in significant social depression and tension increase in
crime and prostitution.
o In 1915, military command ordered the mass evacuation of
western areas, causing millions to be pushed east. Starvation and
Typhus ensued.
o Violent resistance to conscription.
“…it was his failure to harness the loyalty of his own people which
eventually cost him his throne.” – Lockhart.
Political Impacts
Economic Impacts
o Inflation was a major problem prices of food and commodities
kept rising in the course of the war due to the shortages, and
were pressing down wages. (several hundred % by 1917)
o Fuel and raw materials were increasingly scarce, which often
affected production.
o Many essential tradesmen had been sent to the front.
o The farming system broke down due to horses being sent to the
front and the conscription of farmers.
o Imports decreased due to the Straits to the Mediterranean being
closed (Turkish opposition).
o Government debt soared due to war spending.
o Growing unemployment due to fuel shortages.
Military Impacts
o The political disillusionment about Tsarism was exacerbated by
the military defeats. Economic and social conflicts created a
revolutionary situation.
o The Tsar left Petrograd in August 1915, leaving his wife to lead
the country, along with Grigori Rasputin, a Siberian monk. Public
criticism focused on the Empress and the immense influence
Rasputin had on her.
o Significant defeats in the early stages of the war in 1914
(Tannenberg and Masurian Lakes). High numbers of casualties
and prisoners of war.
o The war was seen as a catastrophe due to:
- horrendous trench conditions
- critical supply situation (e.g. ammunition, rifles, uniforms, food)
- devastating human losses (40 000 dead by 5 months, three
million by 1916.)
- feeling of exploitation as raw materials by the soldiers.
o Despite improvements in the military situation in 1916, morale
among soldiers continued to decline, turning to desertion and
mutiny.