ABSTRACT
The overwhelming majority of the Russian intelligentsia were not in any way “Chekhov types”, but were conscientious workers willing to sacrifice themselves to serve their country. During the nineteenth century many Russian patriots were dissatisfied with the government, they at least found some comfort in the strength and valor of the Russian army. But the military defeat of 1905 was a blow to their national pride, and the demand “down with autocracy” had broad appeal also within this group. In the spring of 1905 peasants pillaged several landowners’ estates in Kursk and Orel provinces. The wave of strikes reached a climax in mid-October 1905 with a nationwide general strike joined by railroad workers. As a result, the government was forced to issue a constitutional manifesto on October 17. The bourgeoisie and moderate liberals were inclined to accept the concessions that had been made, and formed the Union of October 17, which was prepared to cooperate with the government.
