There revolutions of 1905 and 1917 are both significant episodes in the history of Russia. However, more attention is probably devoted to the Revolution of 1917 because it did mark the end of the Russian monarchy. However, the Revolution of 1905, though not entirely successful, did bring about significant change to the tsar and his authority. .
The problems building up to the revolution of 1905 centered on political and economic conditions. Tsar Alexsandr III had set about to reverse some of the reforms put in place by his father. He set about suppressing the peasants and all opposition to his authority. Censorship was increased and the freedom of the universities was reduced. Aleksandr had not realized the anger and resentment the peasants felt by the tsar's taking away of the freedoms that they so recently had received. The discontent of the people continued through the accession of Aleksandr's son, Tsar Nicholas II to the throne. The new emperor upheld the principle of the autocracy and gave little in the way of change. The Russian people saw him as unreasonable and many despised his German wife, Alexandra. In January of 1904, Japan attacked the Russian fleet in the east, launching Russia into war. The Russo-Japanese war cost each side about 450,000 lives and caused Russia to suffer a loss of prestige both at home and abroad. With foreign and domestic affairs failing under Nicholas" government, Father George Gapon, an Orthodox priest, organized a march in St. Petersburg to petition the tsar for an end to war, a constituent assembly, civil rights, and an 8-hour workday. The Tsar's uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir Aleksandrovich, order troops to fire upon the crowd, killing several hundreds. "Bloody Sunday" marked the beginning of unrest throughout Russia. Eventually, the tsar under counsel from Count Witte agreed to a constitution and other reforms. The October Manifesto (October 1905) promised a constitution, civil rights, legalized strikes, ended peasant redemption payments, and created a national parliament elected by a broad suffrage that would have consent over laws.
