1. Russian Dictatorships 1855-1955
Factors causing change

2. How important was War as a factor of change? (1)
“War is the locomotive of History” (Trotsky)
Emancipation of Serfs followed Crimean War
Democratic changes occurred after 1905 Russo-Japanese War
Downfall of Tsardom followed the First World War
NEP followed Civil War

3. How important was War as a factor of change? (2)
Defeat in the Crimea highlighted need for radical change to Russian society
Reforms followed Alexander II’s desire to impose change from above
Policies enacted under Witte & Stolypin
owed nothing to war
5 Year Plans followed need to replace NEP

4. Desire to strengthen the State
Alexander II feared ‘change from below’
Witte aimed to modernise Russian industry
Stolypin aimed to create peasant class with vested interest in Tsarist state
Lenin forced into pragmatic action
Stalin – ‘Socialism in One Country’

5. Impact of Industrialisation
Historically poor life style of peasants not much improved by Emancipation
Pushed to breaking point by both Witte & Stalin
Creation of large urban w/class made Communist Revolution possible
Key to success against Germany

6. Radical Opposition
Largely ineffective until 1905 – success against Alexander led to more repression
Opposition able to force change following Russo-Japanese War
Opposition then split & ineffective
Tsar forced to abdicate in 1917
Huge popular support for Stalin
State too powerful?