Why did the Tsar survive the revolution of 1905, but not that of 1917?

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Reina Hashash

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Why did the Tsar survive the revolution of 1905, but not that of 1917?

 Clear similarities contrasted with crucial differences between the 1905 and 1917 revolutions evidently illustrate the reason as to how and why the Russian monarchy failed after 1917. There were several key factors which helped demonstrate the relationship and difference between the two revolutions. These were the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905) compared with the disastrous First World War (1914); The Bloody Sunday strike (1905) and the Putilov (1917)- along with several riots and demonstrations; forms of government such as the Soviets and Committees and finally; lacked leadership or to that fact, the up rise of  leaders such as Lenin and Trotsky. So regarding the fact that the 1905 and 1917 revolutions were so similar- both years being involved in a war and both having great civil hostility, how come one fizzled while the other erupted disastrously?

In 1900 Russia was going through many structural problems which anticipated the letdown of the Tsar’s Empire i.e. - revolution. Peasants living in poverty made up the majority of the populations, and had very poor living conditions. Industrial workers suffered low pay, long working hours and poor factory conditions. Nicholas was an incompetent autocrat which was disapproved by the vast majority of Russia’s population; most of all, Russia was a very backward country, lacking good roads, railways and economical boost due to uneducated people. In 1902 an economic recession led to higher unemployment in Russian cities. The Tsar was warned of a revolution and tried to gain popularity by attacking and taking over Manchuria however, this led to war with Japan. The result of this war was the hopeless loss of Port Arthur and worse conditions for the people of Russia. Railways were blocked leaving all the transport of food and supplies at a halt. Factories closed due to loss of import of raw materials and there was a high percentage of unemployment. This made the workers very furious, and humiliated the Russian Empire.

"We are treated as slaves who must bare their fate and be silent…We ask but little: to reduce the working day to eight hours and to provide a minimum wage of one rouble a day."

On January 22nd 1905, 200,000 workers and their families marched up to the Tsar’s winter palace in order to present a petition to reform their living conditions. The peasants and working class of Russia were outraged at their living status and demanded improvement such as the right to have trade unions and an end to war with Japan. Unfortunately, they did not succeed as they found themselves facing a Russian army, whom opened direct fire at them causing grave fatalities killing up to 500 people. This episode of civil unrest and massacre was called “Bloody Sunday”. This anticipated a slip to the Tsar’s grasp of his reign. It was a trigger to what Michael Lynch calls “a nationwide outbreak of disorder.”

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Bloody Sunday had a huge impact on the Russian people, the trauma of the massacre caused the people to look upon Nicholas as a killer, and gradually fall into a full-scale mutiny against him. Several sections in the Russian society were created and became involved in revolution. When the industrial workers began to go on strike causing the factories to close down and somewhat ‘paralyse’ the economy and performance of the country; the newly formed Soviets were now recognised as the new government. Middle classes and the peasants also joined due to their shock from Bloody Sunday. Other ...

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