Question

Describe any three events that were responsible for the Revolution of 1905. Mention two important effects of the revolution.

Answer 1

The three events responsible for the Revolution of 1905 were as follows:
(i) Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 brought all the simmering discontent of the Russian people to the forefront. High prices, scarcity of essential commodities and the national humiliation due to defeat in the war against Japan added to the already existing adverse conditions.
(ii) On a Sunday in 1905, strikes took place all over the country and students staged walk-outs and forced universities to close down. Professionals and middle-class workers demanded for a Constituent Assembly led to the creation of the Duma. A new form of organisation called 'Soviets' developed. All these were the outcomes of the incident of 'Bloody Sunday'.
(iii) The incident provoked disturbances in practically every part of the country and among every social class. Sections of the army and navy revolted and sympathised with the revolutionaries.
The two important effects of the revolution were as follows
(i) In this revolution, a new form of organisation called the 'Soviets' developed. These 'Soviets' which began as committees to conduct strikes, later became the instruments of political power.
(ii) The Tsar yielded to political pressure and introduced the October manifesto which granted freedom of speech, press, and association and conferred the power to make laws upon an elected body, called the 'Duma.'