Nicholas II was an autocratic ruler who opposed political reform and upset nationalist groups with his policy of Russification. Russia's defeat in the 1904-1905 war with Japan damaged the tsar's prestige and highlighted weaknesses in the military. The 1905 Revolution was sparked by Bloody Sunday when peaceful protesters were violently dispersed, and was fueled by poor economic conditions, unemployment, and autocratic rule. Nicholas II was forced to concede to creating an elected Duma and allowing free speech with the October Manifesto, though he did not fully enforce reforms and the causes of unrest remained.

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
HISTORYREVISION
THERUSSIAN
REVOLUTION
18941917
5.2 THECAUSESAND
IMMEDIATEOUTCOMES
OFTHE1905REVOLUTION

2. NICHOLAS II – CHARACTER AND POLICIES
Character: kind and devoted to family; only son (Alexei) suffered from
haemophilia and was not expected to live long, raising doubts about
succession.
Policies: opposed to any reform, which he felt threatened his power
and the strength of Russia; lacked interest in government matters;
selected ministers because of their social position rather than their
ability; autocratic ruler; policy of ‘Russification’ upset nationalist
groups.

4. NICHOLAS II – WAR WITH JAPAN
Sergei Witte: forward-thinking statesman; wanted to develop Russian
industry and transport systems; borrowed foreign money to pay for
this, leading to increased taxation for the peasants.
War with Japan 1904–05: fought over control of areas in China (e.g.
Manchuria); Russia’s defeat highlighted major weaknesses in its army
and navy; humiliation for Russia at Treaty of Portsmouth; damaged the
tsar’s prestige.

6. THE 1905 REVOLUTION - CAUSES
Causes: poor economic conditions of peasantry; autocratic nature of
tsar’s rule; high unemployment; nationalist unrest; anger at ruthless
way unrest was dealt with; role of revolutionaries such as Leon Trotsky.
Bloody Sunday: peaceful march in Moscow led by Father Gapon to ask
tsar for land reforms and an elected assembly; violently dispersed; led
to strikes in Moscow and other cities; trade unions formed; sailors on
Potemkin mutinied.

8. THE 1905 REVOLUTION – OCTOBER MANIFESTO
Nature of the revolution: disorganised with no central co-ordination;
army remained loyal to tsar.
October Manifesto: Nicholas II forced to make concessions; agreed to
allow free speech and to create a Duma (an assembly whose
agreement was necessary to pass laws).
Reaction to the October Manifesto: most people felt that their
grievances had been addressed; more extreme revolutionaries (e.g.
Bolsheviks) felt the concessions did not go far enough.

10. THE 1905 REVOLUTION – OCTOBER MANIFESTO
The Fundamental Laws: Nicholas II did not enforce reforms he had
promised; Fundamental Laws reasserted his autocratic powers.
The Duma: franchise restricted to landowners; very limited powers;
Nicholas II dissolved First Duma within two months; Second Duma
lasted for a few months in 1907; Third Duma lasted 1907–12 but
achieved little; causes of 1905 Revolution had not been addressed.