? starter activity

1
? starter activity
?
Read the soundbites and work out which political
opposition group is speaking or being referred to.
2
How close to success did revolutionaries come in
1905?
? Aims

• To analyse the impact of the Russo-Japanese War
• To identify the causes of the 1905 Revolution
• To weigh up the success or failure of the Tsars
  response

3
? Your task

• Read Lynch p.31-2 and answer these questions
• Why did Russia go to war with Japan in 1905?
• What impact did the loss of the war have on the
  government?

4
Reasons for war with Japan

• Expansion in the East would compensate for
  declining influence in Europe
• Japan seen as an easy target
• Long-standing territorial disputes in region
• Ice-free port
• Distraction from Russias domestic problems We
  need a small, victorious war to avert a
  revolution (Interior Minister, Viacheslav
  Plehve)
• Economic need to expand Russias markets into
  Far East
• Japanese attack on Port Arthur

5
Impact of war

• Russian military exposed as poorly prepared
  Japanese army navy better prepared than
  expected Japanese secured strategic positions,
  e.g. Port Arthur
• Russian navy suffered embarrassing defeat
  destroyed by Japanese navy at Tsushima, May, 1905
• Army was overstretched Trans-Siberian railway
  proved of little value
• Failure in foreign policy provoked domestic unrest

6
? Your task

• Read the information your teacher provides about
  the 1905 revolution and identify as many causes,
  short or long term of the revolution.

Father Gapon at the head of a group of protestors
7
1905 Revolution

• Growth in political opposition, e.g. terrorist
  attacks, including assassination of Interior
  Minister
• Blame for failure of Russo-Japanese War
• Relaxation of censorship laws of Alex III
• Nicholas IIs vague promises, e.g. broader
  participation in public affairs
• Strike in protest at sacking of 5 Putilov workers
  in St Petersburg
• Leadership of Father Gapon, cleric trade union
  leader
• Response of Palace guards

8
? Your task

• Document exercise. Study sources A-D and answer
  questions 1-4.

9
? Homework

• Read Lynch p.46-50. What were the effects of the
  1905 Revolution? Think about these areas
• Political opposition
• Standing of the Tsar
• Military (including navy)
• List the reasons why the revolution failed