How far were the divisions among its opponents responsible for the survival of tsarist rule in the years 1881-1905? (30 marks)

Around Europe the world’s great powers were developing, both economically and socially through the benefits of industrialisation, except that was for Russia, who was now the most economically backward. The climate for change was surrounding its empire. The people of the empire were ready for a revolution yet Russia’s tsarist rule managed to survived from 1881-1905 under the rule of Alexander III who ruled from 1881-1894 and his son Nikolas II who ruled 1894-1905. Tsarist rule in Russia had its many opponents from the larger radical parties such as the Social Democrats and the Social Revolutionaries, however some argue that it was the divides in these groups and society as a whole that had delayed the revolution whilst others believe it was the result of external factors that allowed the tsarist regime to continue through the animosity it faced.

A major divide in the opponents of tsarist rule was class. The divide in personal wealth was larger in Russia than in any other world super power. With the landed classes obtaining most of the wealth and the peasantry and former surfs who made up 80 % of the population however barely getting by, this economic divide caused a major divide in society. The educated classes apposed the tsarist regime due the fact it halted their position in society not allowing them to move up and benefited only the landed classes. The bottom of Russian society, the peasantry and the surf population also opposed the tsarist regime due the not only the emancipation which caused more harm than good but also the fact that they were the ones that suffered most under the tsarist regime however this divide meant that both groups took time to realise they could work together to defeat tsarist rule allowing it to continue