Causes of the 1905 Revolution:
- Economic Factors:
The main cause of the 1905 Revolution was the economic hardship faced by the Russian people. Industrial workers faced long hours, low wages, and poor working conditions. Peasants were burdened with heavy taxes and land shortages, leading to widespread poverty.
- Social Inequality:
The vast disparity between the ruling elite and the common people contributed to social unrest. The nobility and the bourgeoisie enjoyed privileges and wealth, while the majority of the population struggled to survive.
- Political Repression:
The autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II and his government's harsh suppression of dissent fueled discontent among the people. Political opposition was ruthlessly crushed, leading to a desire for political reform.
- Military Defeats:
Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 exposed the weaknesses of the Tsarist regime and further undermined its legitimacy. The loss of the war fueled nationalist sentiments and eroded support for the government.
- Intellectual and Revolutionary Ideas:
Intellectuals, students, and workers were influenced by revolutionary ideas such as Marxism and socialism. They sought to challenge the existing order and bring about social and political change through revolution.
The combination of these factors culminated in the 1905 Revolution, a series of strikes, protests, and uprisings that shook the foundations of the Tsarist regime and laid the groundwork for the subsequent Russian Revolution of 1917.