what lead to the 1917 revoultion the Tsar himself

Question 1

Personality and leadership

Answer 1

Personality- weak but obstinate, indecisive, lack of interest in world around him

Did not have skills or capabilities to do the job

Used repression as the main weapon in dealing with problems, relying on the army which did not be liked as the police force

Question 2

Attitude to political change

Answer 2

Resisted all forms of change pre 1905
confirmed believer in autocracy

October manifesto wrenched out of him, never committed to it

Did not want the Duma or representative body in first place and in the fundamental laws showed his unwillingness to share power

Would not co operate with the dumas

Question 3

Reforms

Answer 3

Never willing to support Witte’s or Stolypin’s reforms
did not want changes in society
wanted to protect court power and power of landowners class

Half-heatedly supported Stolypin’s land reforms

No real concessions to working condition. rejected trade unions or bodies representing workers

Question 4

Misjudgement and mistakes

Answer 4

Nicholas failed to realise seriousness of the the situation building in 1904 and the need to respond to the demands of liberals and workers, Bloody Sunday resulted in mass loss of respect for the Tsar

His and Tsarina’s support for Rasputin damaged the reputation of royal family

Going to the Front in 1915, taking on personal responsibility for war

Leaving government in hands of Tsarina and Rasputin

Rejected the proposals of the progressive bloc in 1916

February 1917- still not really awere of the dangers to the regime and took no action until too late