government. His wife Tsarina Alexandra was a dominant personality and Nicholas was under her strong influence. Determined that Russia should not be left out in the scramble for colonial possessions, Nicholas encouraged Russian expansion in Manchuria. This provoked a war with Japan in .
The resulting Russian defeat led to strikes and riots. On January Father Gapon, a priest, organised a march of men, women and children on the Tsar’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg demanding a representative national assembly and agrarian and industrial reforms. But police and soldiers fired on the procession.
Hundreds were killed and many thousands wounded. The events of this day (known as Bloody Sunday) led to riots, strikes and violence. Nicholas was forced to grant a constitution and establish a parliament, the Duma. This was no longer satisfactory to the left-wing parties that formed a Soviet (council) of worker's delegates in St Petersburg, led by Trotsky.
Opposition to Tsar and Dissolution of Duma The outbreak of the First World War had temporarily strengthened the monarchy, as Tsar Nicholas II end of the War India too suffered under the world-wide epidemic of influenza. (£ - symbol of Pound sterling) The War conditions led to the rise of Home Rule Movement in India. The Congress was reunited during the war. India and Indians had taken an active part in the War believing that Britain would reward India's loyalty.
But only disappointment was in store.Thus the War had multiple effects on Indian society, economy and polity.