Russian Revolution of 1905 - Causes, Events, and Significance

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Russian Revolution of 1905 was a political event in Russia that included strikes from workers, soldiers’ mutiny, and general unrest among the people. The main objective of this revolution was the demand by peasants and factory workers for a reduction in their working hours and an increase in wages. This revolution led Russia to become a constitutional monarchy by replacing absolute monarchy. The Russian Revolution of 1905 is also known as the rehearsal for the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Causes

The conditions of peasants and factory workers were quite miserable due to difficult situations at their farms and factories. The peasants were getting deeper into debt due to two main reasons. They had insufficient land, which prevented them from earning according to their necessities. It was also impossible for them to sell or mortgage their land. On the other hand, the factory workers were paid very little compared to their working hours.

Russia’s humiliating defeat against Japan in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) worsened not only the economic condition of the country but even embarrassed the Russian monarchy and military. 

Russian Empire was in control of a vast area with a multiethnic population, while people of minority religions were also present along with the majority Christian religion. Russian regime was trying to suppress the culture and language of other nationalities through the process of Russification. The Polish and German people especially faced problems with Russia's nationalistic policy. The treatment of the government with minority religions, especially Jews, was also very harsh. Anti-Jewish Pogroms (1903-06), allegedly supported by the regime, were an example of the mistreatment of other religions by the state.

Due to these reasons, many people turned against the monarchy while the support for socialists was increasing continuously.

Events During the Revolution

The revolution was initiated by factory workers in St. Petersburg in December 1904 with a strike of 150,000 workers in 382 factories. However, the active period of the revolution started on Sunday, 22nd January 1905, when thousands of workers, led by priest Georgy Gapon, marched towards the Winter Palace of Tsar to present a petition. The soldiers guarding the palace opened fire at the unarmed workers and killed hundreds of them. This event is known as Bloody Sunday, which sparked the factory workers and other dissatisfied people in the empire. 

Soon after Bloody Sunday, massive strikes started in all the industrial areas of the empire. Within months, the strike spreads to many parts of the Russian Empire, including Russian Poland, Finland, the Baltic, the Caucasus, European areas of Russia, and the Urals. The communists and socialists were leading this revolution. The government responded with force and killed thousands of strikers during the revolution.

 The peasants also joined the revolution in June-July 1905 when they seized lands from the landlords. The government controlled the situation by force.

The disastrous Russo-Japanese War (1904-05) also deteriorated the situation. Mutinies emerged in several naval fleets in 1905. The government suppressed these mutinies after killing thousands of soldiers. 

People of other nationalities and minority religions also actively took part in the revolution against the Tsar. The Polls, Finns, and people of the Baltic areas demanded autonomy and freedom to use their language and culture. In August 1905, the First Congress of the Muslim Union took place. During the revolution, Russian nationalists killed around 3,000 Jews because they considered them the main force behind the problems of Russia.

Steps Taken By Monarchy

The government used force from the beginning to crush the revolution, but it was evident that they had to satisfy people. On 18th February 1905, the Tsar promised to form an assembly (Duma) of people’s representatives with a consultative role. But the decision was rejected by the revolutionaries.  On 30th October 1905, the Tsar signed the October Manifesto that accepted their demands. These include the Duma as the main legislative body, the formation of political parties, and basic civil rights to all the citizens of the empire. After the October Manifesto, major strikes ended while the regime suppressed the remaining chaos within a few months.

Later, the First Duma was formed in 1906. In this legislative body, the representation of peasants was 48.1% compared to 36.7% of nobles. The First Duma passed the Russian Constitution of 1906 on 23rd April 1906. 

Importance

The Russian Revolution of 1905 paved the way for Russia to become a constitutional monarchy, replacing absolute monarchy. It also highlighted that communists and socialists are getting more and more power and public support due to the economic and military instability of the state. Later, when the situation deteriorated again during World War 1 (1914-18), it was much easier for them to overthrow the government in 1917 due to their previous experience of this revolution. Due to this reason, the 1905 Russian Revolution is known as the rehearsal for the Russian Revolution of 1917. 

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