VCE History: Unit 3Thematic Analysis 1905-1917

Tension and Conflict

Economic and social inequality – wealth is transferred to the ruling classes through taxation and by exploitation of the peasants and

industrial working class. Life is full of inequality.

Tension and Conflict

Rising and unmet class expectations – expectations of an improved situation rise when people are given a glimpse of a better life. Having these hopes unfulfilled is worse than having no expectations to begin with. Witte’s reforms, the illusion of ‘people-power’ in the Duma and

the disappointment of the war are examples of this.

Tension and Conflict

Fluctuations in economic activity – fortunes change regularly in every society due to a combination of factors. Stolypin’s reforms increased

peasant land holdings and improved industrial workers conditions. The disastrous war changed all this with food and fuel shortages, inflation

and price increases and high unemployment .

Tension and Conflict

Failed attempts at economic, social or political reform – reforms are introduced to solve existing problems. If these reforms fail, the problem

still exists but with greater discontent and tension. Witte’s reforms increased production but at made working conditions tougher and

Nicholas’ October Manifesto offered freedoms but his autocratic style failed to change.

Reasons for revolution

Nicholas’s unwillingness to change system of autocracy – The October Manifesto was introduced to maintain control, however his

release of the Fundamental State Laws made Nicholas’s intentions clear. He dismissed the first two Duma’s and his third and fourth were unrepresentative of his people and caused him to lose support.

Reasons for revolution

Nicholas’s unwillingness to support radical reform – Witte, after succeeding in generating industrial growth, was dismissed after pushing

for constitutional reform. The first two Dumas were dismissed for pushing for radical reforms. Stolypin strengthened tsarism but when he

was killed, Nicholas reverted to his inflexible way of governing.

Reasons for revolution

Nicholas was unable to restore link with his people– the broken promises of the October Manifesto, his sabotage of the first and second

Duma’s, the social and political repression under Stolypin and his culpability created by taking responsibility for the war demonstrated his

lack of awareness of his Russian people.

Reasons for revolution

Unwilling to recognise his government’s isolation – Stolypin’s reforms did not create a conservative and prosperous rural society that would support the limited constitutional reform. Nicholas was already

losing the support of his traditional supporter base and this was exacerbated by Rasputin’s presence destroying his credibility and his

disastrous decision to take control of the war effort.