The Romanov Dynasty: Cause Of The 1917 Revolution

The Romanov Dynasty may have survived in the short term if it had not entered into the Great War. In the long term, the Romanov Dynasty would not have survived as an absolute monarchy. Russia’s political system would have had to reform into a constitutional monarchy if the Romanov Dynasty was to survive. Russia’s social, political and economic issues, exaggerated by the war fuelled the motive for revolution. Russia’s social structure and major class division were illuminated during World War One thus contributing to the 1917 Revolution. Ineffective reforms and the limited political participation by the population contributed to grievances felt by society. Furthermore, the poor economic conditions exacerbated by the demands of war highlighted Russia’s failure to industrialise resulting in mass inflation and poverty. Russia was industrialising quickly and cheaply, worsening the working conditions.

Russia’s

The October Manifesto 1905 was a political reform in response to Bloody Sunday which allowed freedom of speech and creation of the Duma, a parliamentary body. The Duma gained control over laws and created hope and expectation for further reforms. However, Nicholas II, the Tsar, still referred to himself as an autocrat in the October Manifesto document. The Fundamental Laws 1906 contributed to growing grievances in Russia as the people were denied a political voice and reaffirmed the Tsar’s power with the use of ‘veto’ meaning ‘I forbid.’ Moreover, Nicholas appointed Stolypin in 1906 as Prime Minister to address protestors and peasant poverty. Stolypin’s policies addressed any opposition to the regime with the use of secret police and executions, thus known as ‘Stolypin’s necktie.’ Stolypin’s policies demonstrate a failure of the Tsar to create effective political reforms resulting in the downfall of the Romanov