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Tsar Nicholas II Research Paper

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The extent of the old orders refusal to accept reform lead to the outbreak of revolution in Russia. It stemmed from the social order in Russia with the emergence of middle classes, the gaining of intelligence among the lower classes and the privilege for so few. The appalling living conditions, coupled with food shortages along economic systems including the collection of taxes and increasing international commitments and pressures lead to the downfall of the Tsarist regime. Tsar Nicholas II faced opposition from philosophers and revolutionaries during his reign; it was a very challenging time to be leader.
The emergence of the middle classes rose after Alexander II emancipated the serfs in 1861. The Tsar may have provided freedom, but it came at a cost as they were taxed heavily for living on what was meant to be there land. They were only given strips of land and it was unable to sustain a family. The living conditions were so hard that the people’s faith in the Tsar were slowly fading. Many …show more content…

There was also the mass increase in the population especially amongst the lower classes and the slow beginnings of industrialization found the lower classes thinking more about their misfortunes. The Russo-Japanese war, which should have had the country rallying together ended up by being an embarrassing loss. It highlighted the governments and the Tsars incompetence and this only fuelled the social unrest. This war also put a strain on Russia’s purse. The strikes that followed put the government under pressure and reform was desperately needed. This helped to fuel the revolution of 1905 when the workers went to present a petition to the Tsar, they thought by doing this peacefully that he would ease their troubles, unfortunately the soldiers fired upon the petitioners who were also made up of women and children. The response to this was one of outrage throughout Russia and strikes and riots

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