The Russian Revolution – Background

- In 1900, Russia was ruled by Tsar Nicholas II. He was an autocratic dictator who had complete
control over all decisions. Although Russia had a parliament (Duma) after 1905, Nicholas never
listened to it. The Tsar believed that God put him on the earth to rule therefore his decisions
could not be challenged.
- Russia was geographically the largest country in the world. Its population of 113 million
people contained many different nationalities. The vast majority of the population (80%) were
poor peasants. 5% of the population who were considered upper class were the ones who
advised the Tsar.
- Tsar Nicholas II was not capable of ruling Russia. He was easily influenced, shy, and did not
know anything about business. Russia was expanding quickly. Many peasants were moving into
the cities to work in the factories.
- The Tsar used his secret police (Okhrana) to get rid of any objectors by arresting or killing
them, or sending them to Siberia.
- Most peasants still farmed on land owned by rich landowners. Their tools were extremely
primitive and most had barely enough to survive.
- Many Russian people disliked Nicholas’ German-born wife, Tsarina Alexandra and her reliance
on a holy man named Rasputin. Rasputin helped her sick son but also managed to influence
Alexandra to dismiss ministers and advisors in order to replace them with his own people.
Rasputin was eventually killed in 1916 by two nobles.
- Throughout the early 1900s there was much labour unrest, with many groups striking over
poor pay and horrible working conditions. The peasants were angry that reforms were not
happening. The middle class were angry that they had no way of rising up the social ladder into
better paying jobs that were often reserved for the elite.
Effects of World War I
- Russia’s involvement in WWI made a bad situation worse. WWI did not cause the Russian
Revolution however it certainly made it happen sooner.
- Some factors that led to the revolution were:
- Russia’s poor performance in the war led to large losses of Russian soldiers. This led to
mass desertions. Soldiers “voted with their feet”.
- Peasants were brought into the cities to work in the factories, but because they were
untrained, pre-war production levels dropped.
- With fewer peasants working on the farms, there was less food production. This
caused food prices to rise. Between 1914 and 1917 prices went up 700%.
- As Russia’s losses in the war mounted, the Tsar made himself Commander in chief.
Now, whenever there was a defeat on the battlefield, blame was directed at the Tsar.
Also, while Nicholas was away at war, Rasputin was able to gradually take over the
government.
- Eventually, the people of Russia believed that they could no longer live with the current
system of government and began to demand change.