Slow to grow
industrially: low
number of urban
workers
Size of Russia and
underdeveloped
transport system
limited chances of
industrial expansion
Farming restricted to
Black Earth region,
most of Russia not
suitable for crop
growing or cattle
rearing
Russian peasants
described as "dark
masses", held in check
only by severe
repression (82%
peasants in 1897)
Social policies of Nicholas II
Russification: (Begun under
Alexander III, continued by
Nicholas) policy of restricting
influence of non-Russian
minorities by emphasising the
superiority of all things Russian
Opposition from
oppressed minorities
Anti-semitism: 600 measures
introduced, imposing heavy
social, political and economic
restrictions on the Jewish
population
Led to more organised
opposition such as the
Jewish Bund, formed in 1897
Economic reform under Witte
Emphasis placed on
modernising Russia to the
extent as other European
countries.
Negotiated large loans and
investments from abroad,
whilst imposing heavy taxes
and heavy interest rates at
home
Encouraged inflow of foreign
capital allowing Russia to be
placed on Gold Standard
Witte believed that modernisation relied on
developing effective railway system,
especially the Trans-siberian railway which
was still incomplete by 1914
Wittes problems: 1. Made Russia to
reliant on foreign loans and investments 2.
Too much focus on heavy industry,
neglected light engineering 3. Paid no
attention to agricultural needs
Opponents to Tsarism
Because they were
denied legal recognition,
many resorted to extreme
measures
Proved to be suspicious and
intolerant of each other, making
co-operation difficult
Octobrists: Believed in
maintenance of Russian Empire,
drawn from commercial,
industrial and landowning
interests
Constitutional Democrats
(Kadets): wanted Russia to
develop as a constitutional
monarchy in which power of the
Tsar would be restricted
Populists: Regarded future of
Russia as in the hands of the
peasants, believed in overthrow of
tsarist state
Socialist Revolutionaries: grew
from Populists, agreed with
power to the people and not to
the tsar, become increasingly
violent
Social Democrats: Achieve
revolution in Russia by
following ideas of Marx,
emphasis on the workers,
split in Mensheviks and
Bolsheviks in 1903
Russo-Japanese War
Reasons: Secure warm
water port, Pursue
expansionist policy over Far
East, Distract attention from
domestic troubles
Russia greatly
underestimated Japan,
army and navy far more
prepared
Port Arthur fell to Japan
in January 1905, next
month town of Mukden
is seized
Russia's defeat was seen
as a national humiliation.
Incompetence of govt
seemed more obvious and
excited social unrest