Topic 1 – The rule of Nicholas II 1894-1905
The nature of autocratic rule
1905 was not the end of Nicholas II’s reign but rather a time where there were major political
attempts.
Autocratic – self power/ huge amount of power within one individual.
Introduction
Early 1917 – Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate (step down) by provisional government
9 months later the Bolsheviks seized power (they are later known as
the communists)
Events of 1917 led to the first civil war within Russia and the economic transformation and
dictatorship of Stalin.
In the wider world, it inspired communists in other countries
(notably China) and left anti-communists deeply alarmed
Revolution gave a rise to tensions and conflicts between Russia and the major capitalist powers
Persisted until the collapse of the Soviet Union
1894-1917 – Nicholas II reign.
Lenin leader of the 2nd revolution in October 1917
Bolsheviks
Feb 1917 revolution – forced abdication, huge political change, first revolution wanted to bring in a
provisional government until an election was held to organise parliament.
October 1917 revolution – organised by Bolsheviks, brought Lenin into power, communist system of
government.
Autocracy
Definition of autocracy - A form of government in which one person possesses unlimited power (the
Tsar)
Nicholas II’s commitments to the principle of autocracy was
unwavering
He believed that his right to wield unlimited power was Gods will and should not be challenged
He also believed that his empire could not survive without an
autocratic system
, There were contempt calls for reform that involved diluting the autocratic principle – he dismissed
them early within his reign.
Late 19th century Russia was the most autocratic state in Europe – there was no formal checks of any
kind on the Tsars power:
Russia did not have a constitution setting out what the Tsar could or could not do
There was no parliament – laws in Tsarist Russia were made by the Tsar issuing decrees
There were no legal safeguards protecting the rights of individuals
Russia was governed on a day-to-day basis by ministers who were appointed and
accountable by the Tsar
If the Tsar was impatient or disliked an outcome he would dismiss
the ministers – this happened regularly
The Tsar needed to work with elitist groups to maintain Russia and his power – landowners and
people of nobility, he was also supported by the orthodox church and the army and the secret
police.
Nicholas II and autocracy
Nicholas II’s main strength was his sense of duty.
Yet there were many weaknesses:
He was naive (believed until the end that people were devoted to him) and indecisive
He fussed over trivialities (something of no importance) and failed to address bigger issues
He distrusted many of the politicians and officials who he had work with – regarding them as
vicious and self-seeking individuals
Lacked drive and imagination
Did not have huge intellect
Relied heavily on government – yet thought they were against him
He failed to offer Russia an effective leader.
The Tsars power – The legacy of Alexander II’s great reforms
In the late 19th C, Tsarism was undermined by several long-term developments
The preconditions of revolution in Russia were already in place before Nicholas II became
Tsar in 1894
Alexander intended to strengthen Tsarism through ‘The Great Reforms’ (the most important was the
abolition of serfdom in 1861) had the opposite affect
They had failed to live up to the hopes and expectations of the Russian people – the result
was disillusionment (a feeling of disappointment) with the Tsarist regime
Disappointment was strong in the countryside – it arose out of the land settlement that
accompanied the abolition of serfdom.
The nature of autocratic rule
1905 was not the end of Nicholas II’s reign but rather a time where there were major political
attempts.
Autocratic – self power/ huge amount of power within one individual.
Introduction
Early 1917 – Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate (step down) by provisional government
9 months later the Bolsheviks seized power (they are later known as
the communists)
Events of 1917 led to the first civil war within Russia and the economic transformation and
dictatorship of Stalin.
In the wider world, it inspired communists in other countries
(notably China) and left anti-communists deeply alarmed
Revolution gave a rise to tensions and conflicts between Russia and the major capitalist powers
Persisted until the collapse of the Soviet Union
1894-1917 – Nicholas II reign.
Lenin leader of the 2nd revolution in October 1917
Bolsheviks
Feb 1917 revolution – forced abdication, huge political change, first revolution wanted to bring in a
provisional government until an election was held to organise parliament.
October 1917 revolution – organised by Bolsheviks, brought Lenin into power, communist system of
government.
Autocracy
Definition of autocracy - A form of government in which one person possesses unlimited power (the
Tsar)
Nicholas II’s commitments to the principle of autocracy was
unwavering
He believed that his right to wield unlimited power was Gods will and should not be challenged
He also believed that his empire could not survive without an
autocratic system
, There were contempt calls for reform that involved diluting the autocratic principle – he dismissed
them early within his reign.
Late 19th century Russia was the most autocratic state in Europe – there was no formal checks of any
kind on the Tsars power:
Russia did not have a constitution setting out what the Tsar could or could not do
There was no parliament – laws in Tsarist Russia were made by the Tsar issuing decrees
There were no legal safeguards protecting the rights of individuals
Russia was governed on a day-to-day basis by ministers who were appointed and
accountable by the Tsar
If the Tsar was impatient or disliked an outcome he would dismiss
the ministers – this happened regularly
The Tsar needed to work with elitist groups to maintain Russia and his power – landowners and
people of nobility, he was also supported by the orthodox church and the army and the secret
police.
Nicholas II and autocracy
Nicholas II’s main strength was his sense of duty.
Yet there were many weaknesses:
He was naive (believed until the end that people were devoted to him) and indecisive
He fussed over trivialities (something of no importance) and failed to address bigger issues
He distrusted many of the politicians and officials who he had work with – regarding them as
vicious and self-seeking individuals
Lacked drive and imagination
Did not have huge intellect
Relied heavily on government – yet thought they were against him
He failed to offer Russia an effective leader.
The Tsars power – The legacy of Alexander II’s great reforms
In the late 19th C, Tsarism was undermined by several long-term developments
The preconditions of revolution in Russia were already in place before Nicholas II became
Tsar in 1894
Alexander intended to strengthen Tsarism through ‘The Great Reforms’ (the most important was the
abolition of serfdom in 1861) had the opposite affect
They had failed to live up to the hopes and expectations of the Russian people – the result
was disillusionment (a feeling of disappointment) with the Tsarist regime
Disappointment was strong in the countryside – it arose out of the land settlement that
accompanied the abolition of serfdom.
