Reasons for the Revolution of 1905

1. When the serfs were freed the previous century by Alexander II he did not provide any land for them. They had to buy the land. They had little rights and industrialization in Russia was not very great. The previous serfs now had to buy the land they had been working. They did not have enough money to pay taxes and still make a living.

2. Food shortages because of the freedom of the serfs and the lack of people to work the farms.

3. The overspending of the Czars and the poor financial position of the empire.

4. Alexander II tried to make reforms but they were not enough for the Liberals and too much for the Conservatives.

5. Terrorists groups were formed because there were no avenues for expression in the Autocratic Russia. groups called Nihilists formed that wanted to do away with the whole political and social system and start all over.

6. The loss of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. This caused problems within the military which caused people to believe that the military would back the revolution

Reasons for failure

1. The Soldiers did not back the revolution but backed the Czar.

2. The French lent money to the Czar with money because the Russian treasury was bare.

3. Because there were so many different reasons for the revolution, there were many different groups who wanted revolution and these groups could not form a coalition and remained divided in their goals.

Results of the Revolution

1. Immediate result was the October Manifesto called for the election of a parliament called the Duma which actually was not very effective because after 1907 only wealthy landowners could vote

2. The revolutionaries were imprisoned, executed or exiled.

3. Greater repressive methods were used to continue control.

Czar Nicholas inhibited further revolution by issuing the October Manifesto guaranteeing individual liberties and provided for the election of a parliament called the Duma. (He stole their thunder) Later he dismissed two sessions of the Duma and changed the electorial process to create a more conservative Duma. He then instituted his own "Reign of Terror."