Liberals

By Ashley, Lorraine and By Ashley, Lorraine and SachaSacha

The Liberals

• The Intelligentsia were the thinkers, writers and artists of the time. The Tsar believed them as his enemy, feared and hated them as they were a big threat.

Political ideas and programme

• Political ideas: They wanted to turn Russia into a monarchy more like Great Britain, a free society for all, and removal of corrupt police and officials.

• Political programme: To keep the Tsar, but limit his power by introducing a democratically elected parliament.

• Liberals wanted to replace autocracy with democracy

• In 1905, the Liberals formed two main political groups: The Kadet Party and the Octobrists, both of which were against the Tsar.

The KadetsOne of the three main political groups who apposed the Tsar were The Kadets (the Constitutional Democrats) who were a middle class liberal party who wanted an elected monarchy. Their support was restricted to the small, well-educated and wealthy population of the towns. Their political program would attract the support of the peasants and the workers. They were divided between those who were loyal to the Tsar and those who thought Russia should become a republic.

The Octobrists

• The Octobrists wanted an elected president, parliament (Duma) and a constitution (set of rules defining the powers of government and the rights of individuals). Alexander Guchkov led the Octobrists.

Alexander Guchkov

The symbol of the Octobrists

Leaders, followers and individuals

• Leaders: Paul Milyukov, a University Lecturer, Victor Guchkov, a Moscow businessman and Alexander Guchkov leader of the Octobrists.

• Supporters: Mainly industrialists, merchants, intellectuals.

Paul Milyukov Alexander Guchkov

The Progressive Block

They were important in the

Liberal Party, but they were not as influential as the other parties, The Kadets and the Octobrists.

Events• The Kadets were founded in October 1905 by The

Union Of Liberation and other Liberals.

• The Octobrists were founded in November after the October Manifesto in 1905 by Alexander Guchkov.

• The February Russian Revolution in 1917, which resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas 2.

It’s quiz time!

• The Intelligentsia were artists, writers and…?• What is the difference between the

Octobrists and the Kadets?• When were the Kadets founded?• Who was against the Tsar?• What did the symbol of the Octobrists look

like?• Who was one of the Octobrists leaders?• Why did the Tsar hate the Liberals?