Factor 3 - The Army Flashcards
(10 cards)
How large was the Russian army, and what was its role?
The Russian army was made up of 1.5 million men, and they were used by the Tsar to crush strikes and revolts.
Who was in charge of the Russian army, and who swore loyalty to the Tsar?
The Tsar was in charge of the army, and its members swore loyalty to him. The top ranks of the army were made up of nobles.
What made the Cossacks especially feared within the Russian army?
The Cossacks were especially feared due to their extreme loyalty to the Tsar and their brutal methods. For example, they helped suppress strikes in Rostov (1902) and Odessa (1903).
What was martial law, and how did the Tsar use it?
Martial law was when the army took control in troubled areas. The Tsar could declare martial law to deal with unrest, and between 1883 and 1903, the army was called to crush unrest 1,500 times.
What made the Tsar’s position safe?
The Tsar’s position was safe as long as the army remained loyal.
Why were senior officers in the army likely to stay loyal to the Tsar?
Senior officers owed their positions to the Tsarist system, making them more likely to stay loyal to the Tsar.
Why was the army considered a crucial pillar of autocracy?
The army was huge and capable of crushing any opposition, making it a crucial pillar in maintaining the autocratic system.
What were the conditions like for ordinary soldiers in the Russian army?
Ordinary soldiers faced brutal conditions and were not volunteers, but conscripts, which meant there could be potential opposition within the army.
How did Tsarism inspire loyalty within the army?
Tsarism inspired loyalty through fear, but this could also lead to resentment towards the Tsar.
What was a potential issue with the army’s frequent use?
The frequent use of the army raised questions about whether the security of autocracy was consistently challenged, as it relied on the army to maintain control.
