Factors Leading to the Russian Revolution of 1917
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Key Causes of the Russian Revolution (1917)
1. Autocratic Rule of the Czars
Czar Alexander II introduced some reforms in Russia and gained popularity. However, his successors, Czar Alexander III and Czar Nicholas II, became despotic. During their reign, political organizations like the Mir, Zemstvo, and Duma lost their political powers. The Czarist autocracy fueled the fire of unrest among the laborers, peasants, intellectuals, and students of Russia. Consequently, public unrest increased, fostering widespread hatred toward the Czardom.
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2. The Policy of Russification
Czar Alexander III was not only a despotic ruler but also strictly enforced the policy of Russification across all systems. His son, Czar Nicholas II, continued this policy, famously declaring: ‘One Czar, One Church, One Russia’. According to this Czarist policy, only the Orthodox religion and the Russian language were officially promoted.
The Russian language was forcibly introduced even in non-Russian regions under Russian domination, such as Poland, Lithuania, and Finland. On the other hand, students of these regions were often restricted from attending Russian schools and colleges. This Russification Policy under Czar Nicholas II created widespread unrest throughout Russia.
3. The Social System and Class Division
Before the Revolution, Russian society was sharply divided into two main classes: the rich and the poor. The rich class included nobles, feudal lords, and wealthy landowners. The poor class consisted of peasants, laborers, and serfs. This imbalance created widespread dissatisfaction.
Czar Alexander II emancipated the serfs in 1861. However, the feudal lords were annoyed because they had lost control over their lands. The newly liberated serfs became depressed because they did not receive the amount of land they had hoped for. Laborers and industrial workers struggled to survive due to extremely low wages. The lowest paid workers were unhappy due to their meager salaries. The peasants were considered the happiest class. Political parties were unhappy as they were debarred from exercising political privileges. People from all sections of society were growing weary of the Czarist rule.
4. The Rise of Nihilism
The rise of Nihilism significantly influenced the Russian Revolution of 1917. Nihilist proponents sought to destroy the prevailing rule, social structure, and religious faith in order to create a new world. Their chief aim was the complete downfall of Czardom in Russia. Through their organizations, they influenced the populace to dismantle the existing Russian system. This movement fostered a suitable environment for revolutionary action.
5. Influence of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution helped fuel the revolutionary fire in Russia. Many Russian workers were engaged in the construction of major railway projects, including the Trans-Siberian and Trans-Caspian lines. Following the completion of these railways, numerous factories were established across Russia, leading to the formation of several labor organizations. Over time, class consciousness increased among the laborers, who began to dream of freeing Russia from the clutches of Czardom.