Russia Topic 2 + 3 Flashcards
What were the 5 economic effects of the WW1 on Russia
- Prohibition on alcohol in 1914
- Regions captured by Germans were of significant economic value
- Lack of international trade
- Loss of Labour
The introduction of prohibition on alcohol in 1914 to target problem of drunkenness in Russia, however as sales from vodka made up 25% of the government’s tax receipt the government’s money dropped and they had to take loans from other countries thereby increasing national debt
Military demanded a ban on grains exported to have more food for soldiers
Regions captured by Germans were some of Russia’s most important economic areas e.g. coal mining in Poland
Lack of trade with allies due to germany therefore imports and exports needed to go through vladivostok in Far East Siberia which was a port that froze in winter
Over 15 million men were sent to fight the war so there was to enough labour in the factories of field so in 1915 500 factories closed down due to lack of workers
What role did the Petrograd Soviet play in the February Revolution?
Like in 1905 a Petrograd soviet of workers was elected- previously called the st Petersburg soviet of workers
They passed order number 1 - an order claiming control over the army.
A list of the soldiers demands + conditions for their return to the garrisons
Inc a declaration that they would only recognise the authority of the Petrograd soviet
Had no intention of taking power
Wanted a duma with socialist beliefs
E.g have a bourgeois democratic revolution
Duma reluctant to head a revolution
But wanted to stop the fighting descending into anarchy
March 1st agreed to form a provisional gov//
Why did the Tsar want to lead the army? What were the two main consequences?
Despite no military experience Nicholas decided that it was his sacred duty to take command of the army and defend the homeland on in August 1915. Both the Tsar’s ministers and chairmen of the Duma advised against this but Rasputin encouraged it to show strength to his country. This however meant that the Tsar would be blamed for any military defeats.
Tsar appointed Alexandra as his regent as he was stationed 800 km from Petrograd in Mogilev.
What were the early benefits of WW1 for the Tsar and Russia
At first is gave tsarism a boost as people felt patriotic and were initially proud of their country - the Duma even agreed to raising taxes to pay for the war
Also due to the rapid mobilisation Russia made huge advances into enemy territory which was also popular with the people
Furthermore Russia had the largest army of the world and felt it could emphasise its military strength
What role did Alexandra and Rasputin play in bringing about the February Revolution? 4
- Perpetuated autocracy
- Undermined the authority and image of the Tsar
Alexandra strongly perpetuated the idea of autocracy, refusing to negotiate with the Duma and appointing 4 different prime ministers and 3 different ministers of war in 16 months. This created a great deal of instability in the government preventing it from effectively handling the war effort or the economic crisis.
Furthermore, she was heavily under the influence of monk called Rasputin, notorious for his ‘sinning and repenting’ philosophy - provided respite for haemophilic Alexei.
Appointed ministers to his recommendation
His accounts of his dreams were used by Nicholas in the war
Allegedly had an affair with Alexandra
This hugely damaged the authority and image of the tsar among the people, contributing to the feeling that the Tsar had to be overthrown and replaced with a more reliable and elected leader.
She was German: accused of being a spy and sending military secrets and supplies.
What were the 5 social effects of the WW1 on Russia
- Starvation/ food shortages
- Unemployment
- Inflation
Not enough food for both army and cities - rail focused on sending food to army and food sat in wagons and rotted as not enough trains to take it too cites, food low in cities
Inflation prices increased faster than wages, struggle to afford food, middle-class savings were eliminated
Autumn 1915 the cities of the north experienced food shortages- led to larger protests calling for bread, then an eight hour day, to end the war and overthrow the tsar
During was many countryside working men were in the army so by 1916 2x as many women in the countryside as men —> many families were mourning the loss of relatives of friends
The number of jobs in the citie fell as factories lost oversea markets and did not have enough raw material to keep production going, in first 3 months 150 000 workers lost jobs or were sent home as there was no work to do.
Many revolutionary parties were crippled by police repression and their leaders being sent to the front line or exiled
How did the Army Mutiny lead to the February Revolution and what did they do to assist the revolutionaries? (7)
- Paralysed ability of police to respond
- Gave organisation and military strength to revolutionary crowd
The army mutiny played a vital role in paralysing the ability of the loyalists and establishment to respond to the demonstrations in February.
Army was a breeding ground for revolutionaries, men were introduced to socialist ideologies, learnt how to handle guns and how to organise themselves
October 1916: There had been multiple demonstrations in 1916, with 750,000 workers from 63 factories striking in October. Yet, they all were eventually quashed by the authorities.
26th september angry demonstrators broke into the Pavlosky regiments barracks
27th the mutiny spread to all regiments- soldiers joined people on the streets
This turned the disorders of the previous days into a full scale revolution- it gave the street protests strength and organisation
On the 27-28th of February, the Petrograd regiment captured the city’s main weapons store of 40,000 rifles and 30,000 revolvers allowing the demonstrators to carry genuine arms rather than basic tools.
The main impact was that it prevented the tsarist authorities from containing the rebellion as they could not use more soldiers for fear that they too would mutiny.
What are two features of the July Days?
Anti-provisional government protests involving 1000s of workers and soldiers organised by anarchist revolutionaries, who persuaded disillusioned soldiers and workers. Bolsheviks initially support the movement and Lenin believed he could overthrow the Provisional Government. However, the Petrograd Soviet did not support Lenin and so met with the PG and worked together.
The uprising did not succeed as the PS and other political parties were suspicious of the Bolsheviks. Bolsheviks are blamed by the PG and Petrograd Soviet: arrests of leaders, Lenin escapes to Finland. 100s of Bolsheviks are arrested including Trotsky. Government brings in troops back from the Front and asked them to surround Bolshevik HQ.
What are three features of the setting up of the Provisional Gov
Set up by 12 members of the duma
26th February , duma asked tsar to share power, he refused and shut them down.
Duma dissolved but the provisional committee left behind to monitor developments (kept meeting in secret)
What happened when the Tsar heard of the success of the revolution?
He was informed abt the mutiny and sought to rally loyalist troops and march against the the revolutionary capital
March 1st General Alexeev (commander in chief) called off the counter revolution
Scared of losing more troopers
Thought the best hope for the war campaign was a Duma gov//
By March 2nd nothing but the Tsar’s abdication would save the army + war campaign
General met at Pskov (he got off the train)
Nicholas agreed to abdicate for himself and his son
his brother Grand duke Michael turned down the throne as when announced there were further calls for the downfall of the monarchy
What were the three roles of the PG
To run russia until elections for a constituent assembly could take place
Supposed to happen in next 6th months
All members from the 4th duma- most had been members of the provisional committee
First leader (prime minister) was Price Lvov- a wealthy landowner know for his care for peasants
What was included in the manifesto issued by the PG
Political prisoners/exiles freed/allowed back
Freedom of press/speech/assembly
No discrimination based on class/religion/nationality
Preparations for constituent assembly election (would write a constitution) would begin
All police replaced with elected people’s militias
Local governments to be elected
Military units that took part in the revolution would not be disbanded/sent to the front line
Off duty soldiers have same rights as civilian
What were the limitations to Bolshevik support 3
Peasants tended to support SRs
Workers tended to support the Mensheviks
The Russian Congress of Soviets in June 1917 - meeting invited representatives from all round Russia, only 13% were Bolshevik
What problems were facing Russia in 1917 (5)
War - not sure whether to pull out of the war or not and if so what kind of peace treaty could be arranged
Land - peasants demand redistribution
National minorities - e.g. poles and ukraine want independence or self-government
Economy - need better supply of fuel and food
Social reform - for workers, greater power in workplace
What evidence is there that people rejoiced at the downfall of the Tsar
All symbols of monarchical power (tsarist statues, emblems etc.) were destroyed and all its constituents of support ( the police, the church + the bureaucracy) collapsed overnight.
