Photo AI
How successful were the attempts to strengthen Tsarism, 1905–14? Context: After the 1905 Revolution the Tsar had to strengthen his authority and weaken the threat of any opposition - Scottish Highers History - Question 47 - 2018
Question 47
How successful were the attempts to strengthen Tsarism, 1905–14? Context: After the 1905 Revolution the Tsar had to strengthen his authority and weaken the threat... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How successful were the attempts to strengthen Tsarism, 1905–14? Context: After the 1905 Revolution the Tsar had to strengthen his authority and weaken the threat of any opposition - Scottish Highers History - Question 47 - 2018
Step 1
Role of the Tsar
Answer
The Tsar Nicholas II appointed Stolypin to restore order by implementing a 'divide and conquer' policy to deal with various groups individually. His methods secured the loyalty of the armed forces through improved conditions and training. The October Manifesto and Fundamental Laws were also crucial in strengthening the Tsarist state, using the Russian Orthodox Church to bolster his authority.
Step 2
Restoring order
Answer
Stolypin took considerable action to restore order following the rural violence and industrial strikes of his time. His methods included severe penalties to deter violence and the use of the Okrhana and censorship to eliminate opposition. While there was some public order achieved, discontent remained among the populace.
Step 3
Political reforms – Dumas
Answer
Stolypin was cautious about the Tsarist system's survival under political reforms. He initially resisted the Duma, seeing it as a potential challenge to Tsarist authority. However, when he did engage with it, he sought to influence it through measures, such as forming the Third Duma, which could help propose reforms while maintaining the state's overall control.
Step 4
Economic reforms
Answer
Stolypin's economic plans aimed to improve agricultural productivity and address peasant unrest. Efforts included land reforms to consolidate land holdings and modernize agriculture. Unfortunately, while there were successes, these reforms did not fully address the economic hardships many faced, and gaps still existed, making overall progress limited.
Step 5
Conclusion
Answer
In conclusion, while Stolypin's attempts to strengthen Tsarism led to momentary stabilization and some improvements, they fell short of creating a lasting solution. The reforms faced significant resistance, and despite some successes, many issues remained unaddressed, contributing to the ongoing instability leading up to 1917.