Why were there two revolutions in 1917?
Carla Searle Why were there two revolutions in 1917? The revolution during February 1917 was instigated the Tsar's loss of military support and the failure of the First World War. Also, the growing protests on the streets of Petrograd, fuelled by the demands of Russian women who joined the strikes on International Women's Day (February 23rd) played a part in the downfall of the Tsar. The February revolution lasted from the 18th of February to the 14th of March and it was during this period that Russia saw the greatest political changes for generations. It is however, also important to ascertain the reasons why, having put an end to an unpopular autocratic system, there was another revolution several months later. The key events of the February revolution were the large-scale strikes initiated by employees at Putilov steel works from the 18th of February onwards. As well as this, by the 26th of February, all but a minimal number of garrison troops had deserted the army. Also, Nicholas was advised by Rodzyanko that only a major concession by the government could offer any hope of preserving an Imperial power, this led to the abdication of Nicholas as tsar and, therefore, the end of an autocratic rule in Russia. It was on the 3rd of March that the Provisional Government, a group of Duma members who had continued to debate political matters after the dissolution of the Duma on
Why were the conservatives so dominant in the period 1895-1905?
Why were the conservatives so dominant in the period 1895-1905? During the history of the British political system we have seen many changes in the parties and their structures and patterns of power. The Tory party were hugely successful during the first 30 years of the 19th century, the Whigs in 1846-85. What this essay focuses on is the period between 1895-1905 when the conservatives rose up and dominated the political scene. In the 1895 election the conservatives won the election with a landslide victory, winning in the region of 300 seats. Some people have said that the mixture of the parties throughout history has been like the swing of a pendulum where the leadership has switched from one party to another regularly. It is more realistic to say that the parties would dominate until another party replaced them with superior domination. At this time many different social and economical reforms had been passed and the people voting were greatly influenced by reforms that directly affected them. There are many reasons why the conservatives came to power at this time some people say it is because they were very strong as a party and some people say it was only due to the weakness of the other parties at the time. In this essay I am going try and conclude which of these is the case. Throughout their history the conservative party had many leaders, five in total. Of all of
With the end of World War One came to an end of emphasising on social reform at a federal level. The Bruce-Page nationalist-country party government was seen to have increased its concerns with the economic value of Australia.
With the end of World War One came to an end of emphasising on social reform at a federal level. The Bruce-Page nationalist-country party government was seen to have increased its concerns with the economic value of Australia. This was to be a changing economic circumstance compared to that of the Hughes regime in the years before. This changing factor was heard in an enthusiastic speech delivered by Prime Minister Bruce, that if Australia's great natural resources were brought into full development this 'would solve most of the economic problems that face the world'. This new imperial policy was known as 'Men, Money, Market'. The nationalist-Country Party erected such a proposal of economic plans to deal with immigration, markets, both primary and secondary, financial reforms and foreign affairs. The commonwealth now had a new role with dealing with immigration. Once left to the states was now a federal role. From excluding migrants, pre World War One, the states were now prepared to allow the federal government to intervene and to promote immigration to Australia. When the Bruce-Page government came into power in 1923 it was decided that the federal government would have a greater role than in the past. Under the Empire Settlement Act of 1922, which Britain agreed to lend £3million a year for 15 years to assist in the settlement of British migrants. In 1925 the British
Weimar Germany 1918-23: Was the Weimar Republic Doomed to Failure?
Weimar Germany 1918-23: Was the Weimar Republic Doomed to Failure? On the 9th of November 1918, the new democratic German Republic was initiated in order for the Allies to agree to an armistice of the First World War. It is argued by many historians that the years of the first German democratic regime were numbered from the outset due to the many limitations that worked against the Weimar Government and the various obstacles in the form of political hostility from both the left and right wing idealists and the inherited socio-economic problems. This essay will examine if and how factors into which the Weimar constitution was born would almost certainly not allow democracy to prosper. The reasons for the creation of the Republic alone would not act as the steadiest of foundations for the building of political success. The Emperor of Germany, Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last ruler of the terminated Second Reich, was convinced to abdicate by General Ludendorff in accordance with the wishes of the allies. The militarists including General Ludendorff and Field-Marshal Hindenburg, who held considerable political power, agreed that Germany would receive a better peace deal if it were a democratic, de-militarised state. Those who conceived this idea rather more acrimoniously anticipated the blame of the new government for Germany's defeat in the war, masking the generals for this
Should political parties be state funded?
Should political parties be state funded? The Home Secretary David Blunkett said that political parties will eventually be financed by the state. He said that democracy depended on the proper accountability of political parties. But why the change, what is wrong with the current system and how with this effect the people of this country? The current way in which a political party gets funding is predominantly by donations, either from wealthy individuals or big business. In the case of Labour, around 8% of its costs are paid for by party members' subscriptions, with affiliation fees from unions contributing only around 27%. Donations make up the remaining two-thirds. For the Conservatives, the ratio is much higher, with around 90% of their funding coming from political donations. Even the Liberal Democrats find donations outnumber subscriptions by about two to one. The disadvantage of this current system is that it leaves the political party in power in a venerable position to sleaze even John Prescott has admitted that allegations of sleaze relating to large business donations are a problem for the government. Sleaze in fact has been a major problem for the Labour party when it comes to donations being given for favours. One such occurrence was when Bernie Ecclestone donated one million pounds to labour, and then week's later formula 1 was announced as the only sport to be
Using All the Information In This Section and the Results In the Table Attempt To Give a Well Balanced Explaination of the Conservative Success
USING ALL THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION AND THE RESULTS IN THE TABLE ATTEMPT TO GIVE A WELL BALANCED EXPLAINATION OF THE CONSERVATIVE SUCCESS Lord Salisbury William Gladstone In the period of late 19th century and early 20th century the Conservative Party of Britain was a very strong organisation and it had the support of all classes of people in the UK. Its opposing parties Labour and Liberal could not cope up with the popularity of the Conservatives. Liberals also had some splits within them and organisational weaknesses whereas Labour was a nascent party and was yet to be seen as a major party on the big stage. There were various aspects at which one might look to find out the reasons behind Conservative success in that period. Lord Salisbury, Prime Minister of England and the main Conservative leader persuaded the queen to call a general election soon after the British forces won against the main Boer armies in South Africa. This would lead to a widespread Conservative support because the conservatives would claim the credit for the English victory in the war due to their strategies. This type of election based on patriotic appeal is called a 'khaki' election and the Conservatives used this method to supreme success in the election of 1900. Leading conservatives appealed to the people on the basis of patriotism. But the historians are divided
Examine the case for electoral reform.
Politics Essay By Chris Armstrong Examine the case for electoral reform The electoral system; the ways and means of electing a party or candidate to power. Elections are at the forefront of democracy being that they represent the peoples choice over indifference and dictatorship, put crudely a consensus of the majority view. But how fair are the different systems of voting, of which there are over three hundred, either actually in existence or potentially available? And is the current method of voting in the UK fair to all political parties, or does it favour some more than others? This question asks us in part, to evaluate our current electoral system, First Past The Post, which is a majoritarian approach and proportional representation, an aim not an electoral system. First past the post, based on single member constituencies, requires the winning candidate to gain a simple majority of votes in their constituency. Then the party with an absolute majority of seats forms a government in the House of Commons. First Past The Post is used in local, national and European elections in the United Kingdom. This voting system is one of the many single member systems that are available along with the Supplementary Vote and the Alternative vote system. Overall all voting systems can be organised into three categories; 'Single member systems', 'multi-member systems' and 'mixed
In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles pose a threat to the Weimar Constitution?
In what ways did the Treaty of Versailles pose a threat to the Weimar Constitution? The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919 resulting in Germany loosing 13% of land, 12% of its population and 48% of its iron ore. The terms of the treaty also meant that Germany's military troops were reduced immensely with only 100,000 men in the army and 15,000 men in the navy. Germany was not allowed an air force nor allowed to import arms or ammunition. On top of these terms Germany had to accept responsibility for the First World War and pay reparation fees. All these terms posed a huge threat to the Weimar Constitution as a barely established government was faced with massive social discontent and economic problems. The first threat to the constitution was due to the rage of the population against the so-called 'traitors' who signed the treaty, thus taking responsibility for the war. This reinforced the 'stab in the back' theory that was sparked after the armistice, as some believed the German defeat was due to the civilian population betraying the military. People were not going to support a new and inexperienced government that was responsible for the end of the war and the signing of the treaty and this posed a threat to its survival. Erzberger's choice to introduce a progressive system of taxation left him unpopular and government leaders were accused of working in the
British Electors are turning out to vote in declining numbers. Discuss the factors that may affect turnout."
"British Electors are turning out to vote in declining numbers. Discuss the factors that may affect turnout." Turnout is declining, in 2001 the turnout was 75% yet in 2005, a mere 4 years later, the turnout had decreased to %9.4% a huge drop. This could be due to many reasons; one of these reasons could be the rise of apathy in politics in the UK. Voters may be satisfied by the government & the economy & may think that the existing government shall win the election yet again so may not come out to vote, it could also be the other way around, voters may think that the government is so appalling that its defeat is inevitable & voters foresee a new government coming into power. The turnout may be declining because voters have looked at the parties & their policies & think that two parties views are very similar & that they cannot decide which party to vote for. Voters may have looked at the parties & policies & realised that none of the parties have policies or issues that they are relate to, For Example: the Conservatives main policy may be about Pensions, & if an 18 year old student looks at their policies & decides that the policies have nothing to do with them & may not vote, either for the Conservatives or not at all. The electoral system is also old fashioned & voters may not understand how you have to register or vote. Other people may not vote due to class
Self Supported Study Into The British Political Parties. The labour party Historic overview of the party
Laura Dawson Self Supported Study Into The British Political Parties. The labour party Historic overview of the party The labour party was formed from the trade unionist and socialist movements in the 1900s. it begun as a pressure group movement but soon developed into a political party. It won its first seats in 1906 and the first government was 1924-1931. The won the post second worlds war elections on the policy to promote change form the conditions of the 1930s promising to remove want, squalor, disease, ignorance and unemployment. In the government that followed they created the national health service. After they were removed from government they became more liberal embracing the more radical ideas. They were next elected to government in 1964-70. In 1974 they won a 'wrong way round' election where they have more seats than the conservatives yet received more voted. They were again removed from power by a land slide victory in 1979. The structure of the party The party has a strict constitution that is the base of the party structure and organisation as well as conduct. The party can amend this constitution to its choice. Also the labour parties is a broad group of people and unlike the conservative party has many functions and interests, outside the house of commons. Election of the leader This system of one member one vote means that every member of the