Why the Tsar survived 1905

Question 1

Army

Answer 1

Army remained loyal.

1/3rd of infantry mutinied.

December 1905, reforms meant pay increased, terms of service reduced and better food.

Those not affected by mutiny e.g. the Cossacks rewarded with money and privileges

Question 2

Peace Treaty

Answer 2

Relatively quick end to war meant troops could be brought back to suppress disturbances.

The peace treaty was seen as reasonable.

Question 3

Brutal measures

Answer 3

Brutal measures were used to suppress the population e.g. Trepov used live bullets on strikers in St Petersburg and the Presnia district of Moscow was shelled.

Question 4

No coordinated opposition

Answer 4

Different groups involved e.g. workers, peasants, middle classes, students and national minorities had different aims, thus provided no coordinated opposition.

Question 5

October Manifesto

Answer 5

October Manifesto split the liberals and socialists.
Many liberals felt they had achieved their aims.
The socialists became isolated and easier to crush.

Question 6

Violence and criminality

Answer 6

Violence and criminality scared the middle classes.

Even Struve said, “Thank God for the Tsar who has saved us from the people”

Question 7

Revolutionary parties unprepared

Answer 7

Revolutionary parties were unprepared. The Mensheviks had an important role in setting up the St Petersburg Soviet and the Bolsheviks were strongest in the Moscow soviet.

Question 8

Government in financial trouble

Answer 8

By the end of 1905 the government was in deep financial trouble.
April 1906, Witte secured a huge loan from France (could pay the troops and restore order)