The Romanov Dynasty

Question 1

Define Autocracy:

Answer 1

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

Question 2

What was Russia’s political system?

Answer 2

Russia’s political system was based on autocracy, whereby the Tsar’s powers were not shared or limited.

Question 3

when did the Romanov dynasty begin ?

Answer 3

1613

Question 4

By the time of Nicholas 2nd rule how much land did the empire cover?

Answer 4

Russia’s vast multinational empire covered one-sixth of the earth’s land surface.

Question 5

Russo Japanese war:

Answer 5

1904/Russians had greatly provoked the Japanese as the two nations fought for property, land /the disaster of the Russo-Japanese War contributed to the uprising of 1905/Russia had a much larger fleet than the Japanese and some of their vessels were modern, others were outdated and the crews were generally ill-trained/ It was the first time a European power had been beaten by an Asian nation/The Battle of Tsushima can be said to have directly contributed to the damaging image of the leadership of Tsar Nicholas II.

Question 6

what was the Russo Japanese war about?

Answer 6

Land

Question 7

What did the Russo Japanese war contribute too

Answer 7

the 1905 revolution

Question 8

Russia’s relationship with France:

Answer 8

worked closely together, greatest allies

Question 9

Russia’s relationship with Europe

Answer 9

Nicholas 2nd was related to many european monarchs

Question 10

Germany and Russia:

Answer 10

Wife was from Germany/ caused problems in WW1

Question 11

What problems did Alexander’s wife cause during ww1?

Answer 11

Due to her being German it was rumoured that she was a spy from Germany

Question 12

What was the social system like during Nicholas 2nds rule?

Answer 12

The social system, privileged the upper classes and exploited the urban industrial workers and rural peasants.
This created great discontent that would lead to the fall of the Romanov Dynasty.

Question 13

What effect did industrialisation have on Russia?

Answer 13

Deep internal tensions and crises had developed by the end of 1904 due to economic and social problems. Social discontent was significantly heightened in the overcrowded cities as a result of rapid industrialisation. Not only was the industrialisation rapid but it was occurring much later than most nations.

Question 14

What was the 1905 revolution?

Answer 14

On 22 January 1905 Thousands of workers took part in a peaceful protest in which they wished to give a petition to the Tsar. They had no intention of overthrowing the Tsar. Their point of view was that the Tsarist ministers and officials were to fault instead. The factory works demonstration was brutally stopped by Russian soldiers, leaving up to 200 dead by rifle fire as well as Cossack charges.The aftermath brought about a short-lived revolution in which the Tsar lost control of large areas of Russia.

Question 15

Did the 1905 revolution fail or succeed?

Answer 15

The revolution failed but it served as a serious warning of what might happen in the future

Question 16

How many people lived in the Russian Empire ?

Answer 16

125 million

Question 17

What did the multicultural society cause for Russia?

Answer 17

More than half of Russia’s population was foreign. This caused many grievances as the people were not able to understand the legislation nor did the government understand the people.

Question 18

what was occurring at the turn of the 19th century?

-in terms of peasants and city workers:

Answer 18

Peasants- living in poverty and trying to pay off their redemption payments, population growth.
City workers- horrible conditions/ overcrowded/ dangerous.

Question 19

When did Nicholas the 2nd begin his rule?

Answer 19

1894 after the

unexpected death of his father, Alexander III.

Question 20

Nicholas 2nd as an autocrat:

Answer 20

. He wished to fulfil his father’s legacy however, he lacked knowledge and interest for the work needed to be a leader.
“ The Emperor Nicholas has not inherited his father’s commanding personality nor the strong character and prompt decision making which are essential to an autocratic ruler”.

Question 21

The tsar’s autocratic powers and the role of religion:

Answer 21

The Tsar’s autocratic powers were believed to have been granted by God,
implemented through an intertwined system of government and bureaucracy,
enforced by strict police oppression and legitimised by the Orthodox Church. They were able to push the tsarist regime through the church.

Question 22

Was opposition to the tsarist regime new?

Answer 22

Opposition to tsarism was not new in the 1900s. The fortunes of revolutionary ideas and leaders rose and fell throughout the 1800s.

Question 23

What great political view inspired many revolutionaries?

Answer 23

Marxism

Question 24

Define Marxism:

Answer 24

an economic and
political theory proposing that history was a series of class struggles inevitably
resulting in the downfall of capitalism and the victory of the workers.

Question 25

Russia in World War 1:

Answer 25

Despite having the largest army in the world, Russia suffered a prolonged series
of defeats because of lack of ammunition and supplies, poor internal organisation
and socialist propaganda – all of which greatly demoralised the troops.

Question 26

What was Nicholas’ largest mistake?

Answer 26

making himself commander in chief in 1915

Question 27

Who was left in charge while Nicholas the 2nd was away? and who influenced them?

Answer 27

Added to these conflicts was the political and social influence of the scandalous Rasputin through Tsarina Alexandra. It furthered the image that the government and royal family were unable to adequately care for their people.

Question 28

What did ww1 do to the overall view of the royal family?

Answer 28

The choices and actions of Nicholas 2nd resulted in great discontent and lack of confidence in tsarism.

Question 29

Russian Homefront WW1:

Answer 29

Military losses resulted in greater government spending on financing the war.
This created severe economic and social hardships on the home front.

Question 30

Define abdicate:

Answer 30

(of a monarch) renounce one’s throne.

Question 31

who was in charge after Nicholas’ abdication?

Answer 31

The Tsar’s abdication left two political bodies in control of all of Russia: the
Provisional Government, which had political authority, and the Petrograd Soviet,
which had genuine influence with the popular movements.

Question 32

Why were the Romanovs Murdered?

Answer 32

The Bolsheviks were determined to ensure that the Romanovs would not be alive to inspire Russian nostalgia for a return to autocracy if they failed to win the civil war.

Question 33

feb revolution

Answer 33

he February Revolution was a largely spontaneous uprising that brought about the abdication of Nicholas II and the end of tsarism in Russia

Question 34

Duma

Answer 34

was an elected semi-representative body in Russia from 1906 to 1917. It was created by the leader of the ruling Tsarist regime Tsar Nicholas II in 1905 when the government was desperate to divide the opposition during an uprising

Question 35

Mensheviks:

Answer 35

a marxist revolutionary party that was formed along w/ the bolsheviks when the social democratic party split in 1903

Question 36

The execution of the Romanovs

Answer 36

● The Bolsheviks were determined to ensure that the Romanovs would not be alive
to inspire Russian nostalgia for a return to autocracy if they failed to win the civil
war.
● The murder of the Romanovs was a definitive statement of the permanent
rejection of the old regime.

Question 37

Transfer of power:

Answer 37

The Tsar’s abdication left two political bodies in control of all of Russia: the
Provisional Government, which had political authority, and the Petrograd Soviet,
which had genuine influence with the popular movements.
● Political support for the Bolshevik Party grew rapidly within the Petrograd and
Moscow Soviets as a result of the Provisional Government’s inability to resolve
the economic problems and continuing Russian involvement in the war

Question 38

Fundamental laws:

Answer 38

Laws enacted by Nicholas to carry out the governmental promised Duma. it involved political parties being legalised, males being able to vote and pass laws. It allowed the people of Russia to see Nicholas try. However, the tsar never accepted these policies.

Question 39

Social revolutionary party:

Answer 39

There general ideology of democratic socialist and agrarian socialist forms. They however, used terrorism against the tsarist gov. to push their views.

Question 40

difference between oct. and feb. revolution

Answer 40

February was a liberal revolution (if such a concept is possible) whereas October was a socialist revolution

Question 41

difference between oct. and feb. revolution

Answer 41

February was a liberal revolution (if such a concept is possible) whereas October was a socialist revolution

Question 42

october manifesto

Answer 42

Issued in 1905, it promised significant political reform, although most of these promises were open to interpretation:

A Duma (elected national parliament) was to be set up. No law was to be passed unless approved by the Duma.
Censorship would be loosened and more freedom of speech encouraged.
The people would have more rights to gather together for discussions and meetings

Question 43

Bolsheviks

Answer 43

a revolutionary party committed to the idea of Karl MArx. They believed classes would at some point liberate themselves from the economic and political control of the ruling classes.

Question 44

Mensheviks

Answer 44

Mensheviks- a marxist revolutionary party that was formed along with the Bolsheviks, when the social democratic workers party split in 1903.

Question 45

Octoberists

Answer 45

They had a readiness to accept the October manifesto. They were loyal to the tsar, they embraced the dumas, more conservative than the Kadets.

Question 46

Kadets

Answer 46

Kadets- emerged in 1905, largest liberal party. Main policy was a system of constitutional monarchy.

Question 47

1917 revolution

Answer 47

:enin and the Bolsheviks led a protest that was joined by workers, troops, teachers and others that were striking mainly for the lack of bread but also to end the war and autocracy. The troops defied the orders of Nicholas who was still convinced the people loved him and instead joined the march.

Question 48

Why did the prov. gov fail?

Answer 48

Refused to withdraw from the war
Refused to anctions seizures of land by peasants
It was unable to improve the economic situation
Bolsheviks took advantage of these failures

Question 49

what was the power like after the abdication for Nicholas?

Answer 49

The provisional gov. Had no real authority as they were competed against by the communists. The pro. Gov. ruled the state but the soviets had real civic authority because they considered the national representatives of the people and could control their actions.

Question 50

what type of laws did the prov gov. pass?

Answer 50

The pro. Gov. passed a range of reforms such as declaring civil liberties, freedom of speech and rights to strike.