Causes of the russian revolution 1905

Long term cause - Economic discontent

Over three-quarters of the Russian population were unhappy with their position in the Empire.

Peasants and workers alike suffered horrendous living and working conditions and hence posed a threat to the Tsarist regime.

The 1905 Revolution - GCSE History by Clever Lili

Discontent increased in the years before 1905 in the form of riots, illegal strikes and protests.

Discontent among the peasantry

Russia had no form of income tax. The Tsar taxed the produce of the peasant farmers to raise money to maintain his regime. The burden of taxation was so great that periodic riots broke out.

The peasants of Russia had been freed from serfdom in 1861 by Alexander II.

However, in order to give the peasants land, the government had to pay the landowners for it.

As a result, the peasants had to pay this ‘loan’ back to the state in the form of Redemption Payments. This increased the hardship of peasants. 1903-1904 be Toggle share options XAWY