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Opposition Groups and discontent in Russia 1917 (Social Revolutionaries…
Opposition Groups and discontent in Russia 1917
Social Revolutionaries
a loose organisation with a wide variety of views
Lead by Victor Chernov since it was established in 1901
It was the peasants party
large popular base
Industrial workers made up 50% of membership by 1905 (ex-peasants who had become workers)
By 1906 had 50,000 members
There was a split between the anarchists and the revolutionaries
Attracted intellectuals who wanted to make contact with the mass population
Aims
Overthrow Tsar
Form a democratic government
Give land to peasants
demanded redistribution of land to peasantry
Activities and Tactics
Extreme wing took violent actions
Lots of political assassinations (E.g Stolypin)
Spread discontent in the countryside
Used propaganda to show their point of view
Participated in the Dumas
Liberals
Origins
originated from the Zemstva
Cadets formed 1905
Octobrists formed in 1905 - after October Manifesto
They were part of the Duma in the war years
Leaders and composition
Kadets
Pavel Milyukov
mainly supported by middle class intelligentsia
Zemstva
Shipov
progressive landlords were the main support
Octoberists
Guchov and Rodzianko
Industrialist, businessmen and landowners
Aims
wanted a constituent assembly to provide democratic freedom
wanted a consitutional monarchy
improved social conditions
Didn't mind keeping the Tsar as long as there was reform
Activities and Tactics
NON VIOLENT
used law societies and peaceful propaganda
Confined to only a few large cities
Social Democrats
Mensheviks vs Bolsheviks
Split in 1903 at the second party congress
Lenin leader of the Bolsheviks
Martov leader of the Mensheviks
Revolution
Mensheviks thought the revolution would come naturally (as per Marx)
Bolsheviks thought that the revolution should be lead and prompted by the party - bring about the revolution on behalf of the workers
The Party
Mensheviks wanted a large party - the more people the better
Bolsheviks wanted a select tight knit group who could be trusted and would not be infiltrated
Discipline
Mensheviks were happy with open democratic discussion and voting
Bolsheviks would only let in a select group and described it as democratic centralism
Strategy
Mensheviks were willing to made coalitions and would have the support of the trade unions
Bolsheviks rejected co-operation with other parties and dismissed the struggle for improved conditions - instead trying to make workers more revolutionary
Formed in 1898 from Marxist circles and societies
Supported heavily by the industrial workers and the proletariat
Wanted to overthrow the Tsar
made demonstrations and strikes
Used propaganda with simple and catchy slogans
Discontent
Workers
Very poor working conditions
Had no voice
Trade unions banned
No representation in the duma
Fundamental laws
Change to the electoral system
The War
Exacerbated issues
Food and fuel shortages
conscriptions
The tsarina
Peasants
Land shortages
Redemption payments and taxes
peasants very poor
Famines and poor harvests
Conscripted in war
Middle Class
had begun to emerge after Russia industrialised
They wanted a greater share of power in society
Became discontented with the Tsar after he broke his promise with the dumas
Fundamental Laws
Did not trust the Tsar anymore
Soldiers
Became disloyal to the Tsar
The Tsar made crucial mistakes in the war and soldiers became disenchanted with him and his regime
CHANGE SINCE 1905
World War 1 was a big reason for change
Poor soldiering conditions
Not enough weapons or equipment
Massive defeats
Low morale
Revolutionary ideas were being spread through the trenches