These reforms made a significant change to the government as a weakened sense of autocracy replaced the traditional span of control the Tsar ruled over, due to freedom of serfs which ultimately creates opposition. Further consequences of war faced by the government can be illustrated in the assassination of Alexander 2nd and the severe social unrest following the Russo-Japanese war. These protests are suggested to be the beginning point of the 1905 revolution. This caused extreme damage to the government as it questioned the strength of leadership and citizens became more and more critical, eventually leading to further reforms and the initiation of changing the way Russian government was formatted. However, it can be argued that
The Socialist Revolutionary Party wanted to completely abolish the Tsar’s power and give the peasants power to advance Russia. They were quite radical as they had terrorist wing who were responsi9ble for a few political assassinations. Another reformist group was the Social Democrat Party. They believed the industrial workers should be given power in order to revolutionise as removes Tsar’s power over the country. The Social Democrats were split into two groups: the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks.
Historians, such as Elknar, argue that the use of “Red Terror” was more important to Bolshevik success in the civil war. For instance the use of the Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter- Revolution and Sabotage (Normally referred to as the Cheka), is sometimes highlighted to be of great importance to the Bolshevik success in the Civil war. Elkner believes that “the Cheka was the main instrument used to implement this policy” of “Red Terror” and is shown further by how Elknar comments on the “rapid expansion of the Cheka’s powers with Lenin’s strong support”. This is emphasised by historical records which state 13000 were executed, but is actually believed to be around 300000. A strong example of the importance of “Red Terror” was perhaps the execution of the Tsar and his family in public, showing the Cheka‘s uses.
In January 1905, there was a revolutionary tide in Russia. This was mainly caused by the defeat of the Russo-Japanese War in September and the Bloody Sunday Incident in January. In the country, workers, peasants and merchants were holding demonstrations in order to express their discontent to the Tsarist government. Although Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto to pacify the discontent of people temporarily, he still had to face some problems after the 1905 Revolution. To regain the support from people, he needed to carry out the reforms in the October Manifesto.
However, whether it was the most significant event must be evaluated against others, for example the 1905 Revolution, the February Revolution of 1917, and Lenin’s death. The October 1917 Revolution was a very significant event in changing the course of Russian history from 1855 to 1964 but I would not argue it as being the most significant event. The revolution was quite important due to the fact that it brought the Tsarist rule to an end and therefore led to the Provisional Government losing control and power to the Bolsheviks. Due to the Bolsheviks coming to power, they were able to attempt to solve their three main policies of peace; Russian people wanted to end the war, bread; there were many food shortages throughout Russia, and Land; they wanted to offer peasants land. The October revolution of 1917 in effect, led to the Russian Civil war which was the exact opposite of what the Bolsheviks wanted and this predominantly moved on to Lenin’s death and the power struggle.
Overall in the Liberals party it was the Octobrists who would have the most effect on the survival of the Tsarist rule as they were supporters on the monarchy. Another of the parties to play a part in the survival of the Tsarist rule and to suffer a division were the Social Democrats. Their split played a big part as it was quite a big difference in opinion in the party. Their split was into two groups, the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. Their split was in 1903 when the leaders in the parties disagreed, Lenin leader of the Bolsheviks believed in
Of the Tsars I believe that Alexander II, called the ‘Tsar Liberator’, caused the biggest change over the period. I believe he was the only Tsar that wanted to reform. I believe Alexander II’s reforms affected the most people living in Russia. In response to the defeat in the Crimean War the Tsar where the majority of Russians saw themselves in higher regard than was translated in the outcome training was modernised and facilities were improved. The effect of this caused military life to have become a lot safer and potentially more profitable when fighting.
What’s more is that through the purges Stalin was able to publically establish the guilt and corruption of his opponents. The public show trials provided him with a way to present to the public that anyone who opposed Stalin did so out of corrupt reasons, as well as a way to divert the populations attention away from the economic failures. Everyone in connection with those he disliked within the party were arrested and forced to confess their crimes, while other less prominent members were killed outright and by expelling great numbers from the party and arresting people arbitrarily, fear became one of the main weapons Stalin used against the Soviet people, and played a key role in the strengthening of his position in the Soviet Union. The strengthening of Stalin’s political
Weimar militarism was instrumental in the establishment of political chaos in Germany and led to the eventual collapse of the Weimar democracy. The Reichswehr became an essential force against the uprising from the left of Weimar politics. The troublesome beginnings of the Weimar Republic require extensive military support and establishment. The pact between Ebert and Groener in November 1918 was essential to the cooperation between the Army and Weimar. This support became evident when it came to the suppressing of communist activities and revolts, such as the 1919 Spartacists uprising in Berlin.
Lenin's plan caused much fear in the American people, and became more heightened when radical political activist felt this cause. So this caused the "first red scare" and this would be the first stage for a communist take over. These "activist" were called anarchist and were out to destroy the American government by violence. This resulted in a wave of terroristic violence in 1919, using bombs meant to hurt people near by and to cause fear throughout America itself. The anarchist used the Postal System to send over 20 bombs which were to explode upon opening, however the authorities discovered these bombs before they could detinate, and cause any harm.