Hello friends this is the 2nd part of my article on Modern Russian history. For those who want to go through the initial Phase Tsar Russia can follow my previous article here https://steemit.com/history/@devsingh/the-holy-russia-to-the-soviet-russia-part-1
interior of Tsar Palace
THE CONDITIONS LEADING TO 1905 REVOLUTION…
The Rise of Marxism and the revolution of 1905-07, begins after the suppression of Decembrist uprising. As the 19th century advanced the education spread like wild fire and there immerged a clear middle class known as intelligentsia with the memories of Decembrist uprising as a heroic struggle against the autocracy. On the other hand the revolutionaries who were ousted from Russia had maintained their base outside the country and were continuously being joined by the forces of subjugated and minority races of Russia. For example:- Polish people were not allowed to use their own language publically, they were beaten and harassed in many ways. There was a rebellion in Poland in 1860's and was brutally suppressed, more than 50000 Poles lost their lives and many were sent to Serbia on exile. Worse was the treatment with Jews, therefore it was natural of these races to join the revolutionaries against Tsar regime. This terrorism is known as 'Nihilism'.
In mid-19th century Russian intelligentsia was of two kind 'Westernizers' and 'Slavophil's'. Westernizers as the name suggest were inclined towards the western thoughts and regarded it as the only source which can enlighten Russia. They were ashamed of the Russian history. Slavophil's on the other had were the advocates of the tradition of Russia. They also were in the favor of change but they felt the western values of rationalism and individualism were the disintegrating forces. The believed that the strength of Russian lay in the togetherness of its community i.e. 'Mir'(village). This difference of ideologies caused a split b/w the Russian Socialism(late 19th century) into Populists and Marxists and still later Marxists into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks.
the winter Palace
Another significant development in Russia was the rise of capitalism and western industrial investments from 1860s onwards. This led to the rapid influx of working class in cities. The working class newly inclined towards education came in contact with the ideas like Socialism and communism. This had a dangerous collision with the British industrialists in Russia who had an old perspective towards the workers. In almost the right time in 1872, the pioneer of Capitalist's critique Karl Marx's "DAS-CAPITALISM" was released in Russia. The Tsar thought it too vague to be censored in Russia. This was a major turning point in Russian revolutionary history. In 1870 the most important hero of Russian history was born, he was to change the fate of Russia in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. his name was "VLADIMIR ILYANOVICH LENIN". He had been converted to Marxism in 1889 and shifted to St. Petersburg to work under senior Marxists. He with the help of Martov formed a St. Petersburg Union of Struggle for Liberation of Working Class- to propagate Marxist ideology among workers and to prepare future leaders of Russia.
Lenin
In 1880s an important leader named 'Plekhanov'(Mentor of Lenin and a senior leader) published his pamphlets called 'Our differences, socialism and the political struggle' which caused a major boom in Russian masses regarding Socialism and what is it capable off. Lenin succeeded in reaching the industrial labors and launched movements for achieving the better wages and working conditions for workers. Lenin soon became the most youngest and popular Marxist leader in Russia. He was a talented and cunning leader, he know that a revolutionary movement to overthrow the Tsar regime would frighten the workers and even cause them to abandon their support therefore he took up the economic issues of labors before causing any political upheaval. This is the major reason that most of his Marxist co-workers being better and capable leaders than Lenin(being untouched by political issues till the time was ripe) remained the sole hero of the common masses in Russia.
In 1898 "The Social Democratic Labor Party" was formed and was based on Marxist ideology. These Marxists did not support terrorism as a means to gain independence. They believed in the rise of masses in order to bring sudden change in the existing regime. This party became a member of 'Second International(The 1st International Working Men's Association had been found by Marx in 1864 and existed till 1871- It was an international organization which brought together working class parties across the national borders). 2nd International was found in 1889 was dominated by German Social Democratic Party and continued until the First World War(1914).
THE REVOLUTION BEGINS…
Russia's Humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905 made the army and its people unstable. They became hostile against their Tsar as the people were literally dying of hunger and their Tsar was engaged in long wars and conquests. On 9th January 1905, a large crowd of workers led by priest Father Gapon marched towards Winter Palace where Tsar Nicolas-II lived. They wanted to submit a petition regarding his corrupt officials and the plight they were facing. The peaceful procession was turned into mass killing when Tsar Nicolas ordered his soldiers to open fire on the innocent masses. All of them lost their lives, not even single person survived.
This triggered the revolution of 1905 which started with the assassination of Grand Duke Sergei. Soon peasant revolts broke out in various parts of Russian Empire like Poland, Odessa, Potemkin etc.
Scared and worried Tsar ordered to convene a 'Duma'(Representative Assembly) in which he did not include the working classes. This decision of Tsar strengthened the revolution. All the parties in opposition came together against this edict. In St. Petersburg the workers unanimously elected a Council of Workers' Deputies also known as 'SOVIETS' which became the central power of revolution. These Soviets in the Bolshevik revolution swept away the Tsar regime to form USSR in 1917. The soviets called for non-payment of taxes all over the Russia. The mounting pressure forced Tsar to declare his October Manifesto in which he extended the representation to working class as well. Now no law would take effect without the approval of Duma.
But unfortunately the Manifesto split the revolutionaries into the leaders who wanted to withdraw the movement and who wanted to continue it till the full independence. During split the Tsar slowly regained control over the situation and withdrew the liberal concessions of October Manifesto. The violent leaders and revolutionaries were hunter down by the Tsar 'police and intelligence' and the revolution ended in suppression once again.
But the revolution of 1905 was an important land mark for the socialist players on the stage; the workers gained experience and tried to learn from their mistakes and swept the regime in next revolution.
Here come the end of 2nd part of Russian Modern History. The next and final part will take you all on the journey of the ending autocracy and the rise of a great power(The Soviets) as an ideology which ruled the world politics for nearly half century(during cold war era) besides USA…
source of the images https://pixabay.com
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