CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION MODULE. THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ROMANOV RULE 1906-1914. Stolypin reforms and the position of the Tsar.

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
HISTORYREVISION
THERUSSIAN
REVOLUTION
18941917
5.3 THESTRENGHTSAND
WEAKNESSESOF
ROMANOVRULE
19061914

2. STOLYPIN’S REFORMS
Agriculture: ended the power of the mirs; Peasant Land Bank provided
loans for peasants to buy land; some peasants became wealthy
(kulaks); overall output increased, though many peasants remained
poor.
Industry: beginnings of Russia’s industrial revolution increased urban
population living in harsh conditions.
Impact: Russia developing economically but getting worse socially;
poor education and medical care; no laws regarding working
conditions/hours; trade unions banned.

3. THE POSITION OF THE TSAR
Continued support: most people still supported the tsar; they could
see no alternative method of government.
Growing opposition: strikes became common 1909–14; violent
repression led to further unrest; many peasants unable to repay loans
to Land Bank; demonstrations.
Revolutionary philosophies grow: anarchism (Mikhail Bakunin);
Marxism; many revolutionaries forced to go into exile abroad or in
Siberia (e.g. Lenin, Plekhanov).
Nicholas II’s reaction to unrest: police and army used to suppress
demonstrations.