Russian Revolution 1905

1. Why was modernization needed?

Modernization was needed, first of all because Russia was almost entirely agricultural while surrounding nations were industrializing. Furthermore, it was agricultural and using outdated farming equipment. Also, the Tsar and the rest of Russia's leaders wanted it to be a powerful nation and have an important role in Europe. In order to be powerful, industrialization was required. They needed industry to manufacture things, and in order to be an important military power it needed to manufacture military supplies/equipment. Also, agriculture didn't make it enough money. Russia was very poor, and it needed modernization in order to increase its profit and income. Not only did they only have agriculture, their methods of agriculture were obsolete and its harvest was poor. Russia needed industrialization to make money and increase its power.

2. Why was modernization dangerous to the Tsar?
Modernization was dangerous to the Tsar because it endangered his position as the leader of Russia. It would be difficult to maintain his position of power over a modernized Russia. Other modernized countries had democracies and parliaments, and monarchs have little power if they even existed in the government. Also, industrialization created social tensions between the working class when they flock to the cities to work in factories, and congregating them together would only facilitate disputes between the two. It would also increase the people's ability to overthrow the government, because industrialized countries meant more educated workers, and a larger middle class that might decide to overthrow the government.

3. How did Witte try to build up industry?

Witte tried to build up industry by giving a huge investment to industry, which he hoped would lead to an upward growth, and increase the demand for industrial products, hence leading to further industrial growth. He focused on the railroads, hoping it would increase demand for supplies such as iron, steel, coal, and other railroad-related industries, as well as improve communications. To pay these investments, he planned to squeeze money out of the peasants, and he hoped the industrialization would increase the wages and make up for the money he took from them before it really hurt them.

4. How successful was Witte's economic policy?

It went well until 1902, when other nations stopped buying Russian industrial products. Thousands of workers lost their jobs and strikes broke out.

Russia, 1861-1905

1. List the general goals of the: 
a. socialists
Create a classless society that would end suffering and exploitation of the lower class peasants. This included taking the means of production from it's owners and giving them to the state.

b. liberal reformers
Believed in applying western constitutional practices and laws to solve Russia's problems and injustices.

2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
Serfs lives were extremely harsh and difficult. Their average life span was only 35 years, because conditions were so bad. Most lived in remote villages with no schools or communication. The head of each household was their leader, essentially, and maintained authority over the family.

3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
Tsar Alexander II's first reform was to abolish serfdom and emancipate the serfs. He also introduced jury trials and created local assemblies to vote on issues such as taxes, maintenance, etc. He also tried to increase industrialization in Russia. Finally, he expanded the railroad system.

4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874? 
They wanted to establish connections with the downtrodden peasants and convince the "simple folk" to join the revolutionary cause.

5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
As a consequence of the famine of 1891, half a million Russian peasants died, and the way the government handled it was a wake-up call to the people of Russia, and the government began to lose support.

6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Since their "to the people" idea failed, Marx's ideas became their plans for transforming their society.

7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)
a. Liberal Democrats
Supported evolving to a western European form of government. They went about achieving their goals through violence and terrorism

b. Socialist Revolutionaries
Wanted to socialize all the land and give it to the communes, and replace the monarchy with a democratic republic. They were the most radical and used violence and terrorism.

c. Social Democrats
Supported Marxism. Wanted to wait until Russia was ready for revolution, then overthrow the Tsar, but some didn't want to wait, like Lenin. This led to a spilt in the party. The Mensheviks and th bolsheviks.

8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
Bloody Sunday destroyed the people's view of the Tsar as a benevolent, protective leader.

9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto. 
- expansion of civil liberties
- limited monarchy
- legislature elected by universal suffrage
- legalization of trade unions and political parties