Detailed Summary
The 1905 Revolution was a significant period of unrest in Russia, triggered by a confluence of social, economic, and political discontent within the populace. As industrialization progressed, the working class faced dire conditions marked by long hours, poor wages, and rising costs of living — real wages consumed by inflation prompted drastic actions from workers. In January 1905, a peaceful march led by Father Gapon to the Winter Palace was met violently by police forces, resulting in what became known as Bloody Sunday, where over a hundred workers died.
In the wake of these events, a series of nationwide strikes broke out, involving not only workers but also significant participation from students and professional classes like lawyers and doctors, demanding greater civil liberties and the establishment of a constitutional government. This unrest prompted Tsar Nicholas II to allow the creation of the Duma, an elected consultative assembly.
Despite these initial reforms, the political changes were ineffectual as the Tsar later dismissed the first Duma merely 75 days after it was elected, ultimately leading to long-term unresolved tensions that set the stage for the more significant revolutions of 1917.