How and why did the tsar nicholas II survive the 1905 revolution?

     One key man to be mentioned is Peter Stolypin. His aim was to persuade peasants to become allies of the Tsar. He began his efforts in improving Russia’s poor agricultural development. His main focus was to rid of the old strip system in hopes of modernising Russia. His idea was to improve in areas which were perhaps the least developed such as Siberia and improve upon their productivity. Not only this, but he was a ruthless man, which is far more than could be said for the Tsar Nicholas II. His barbarous attitude suppressed many peasant uprisings and in turn created the second Duma. This helped Russia with its numerous problems to improve their economy and the living and working conditions of the people. He even won supporters for Nicholas, and he himself couldn’t.

     Japans victory against Russia also heightened Russia’s unrest. The war was poorly conducted, the troops had little intelligence, maps were out of date, and in fact Phleve landed Russia in a state of complete embarrassment. The loss just highlighted the weakness of the country and how far behind it was in many ways. Russia lost Port Author to Japan. They lacked in common sense; not even considering the validity of their maps. Yet again, Tsar Nicholas II was blamed, as the easiest target. This furthermore weakened his position to stage where any minute he could lose his title.

     Meanwhile, it wasn’t only the maps that were dragging behind other countries, but also the communication was lacking, and industry was poor. This being a major problem for such a vast country. This was due to the fact Nicholas was being too sentimental to the old Russia his father created and loved, so forth refusing to change. He was preventing the country from developing unlike other countries, and put them under serious threat. Indeed, if it wasn’t for certain individuals, nothing would have changed at all. Sergie Witte Minister of Finance played a particularly important role in putting a stop to Russia’s backwardness; along with Stoylpin. Sergie Witte created a period known as the great spurt. He modernised communications with the introduction of the Trans-Siberian Railway, constructed in 1891 to 1902. In doing so, it improved export and import (which were taxed) of goods and circulation of ideas within the country. This was a huge step for Russia. Witte also agreed huge loans with foreign countries so that life was made easier for the citizens, and reducing the proletariat population. However, the one thing still behind at this time was agriculture, prohibiting the continuation of growth.

     However, Even though there were all these improvements in stabilising Russia, they could still not rid the opposition of the Tsarist system. Hence, in 1903, the Tsar passed the 1903 October Manifesto under the guidance of Witte. This was the creation of a laws-making Duma. It was a Liberal approach granting the freedom of speech, no imprisonment without trial, assembly and worship, the legalising of trade unions and mortgage redemption payments for peasants cancelled. In the eyes of the Tsar, it was completely irrational and betraying autocracy. Nevertheless, it prohibited peasant uprisings and contributed a lot to the Tsar’s survival. Although it does need to be mentioned that the Duma not being allowed to pass laws, still only the Tsar was suppressing change.

     Overall, even though there were many contributing factors towards the Tsar survival of the 1905 Revolution, none of these were down to the Tsar. He was unwilling to cooperate and unwilling to allow change. In fact, it was down to Stolypin, Witte and other key individuals to pull him through. At the same time, very importantly, even though the army were very ruthless, they stuck by him at all times as his protectors and defenders. Without them, the Tsar would have been crushed under uprisings and riots throughout Russia.