Nicholas 2nd

Question 1

When did he come to power and why?

Answer 1

Came to power in 1894 b/c Alexander 3rd (his father0 had died (kidney failure)

Question 2

Was Nich prepared? Why?

Answer 2

He was not, B/C he lacked confidence

Question 3

What did Nich say in his diary in 1894?

Answer 3

” I am not prepared to be the Tsar. I never wanted to become one. I know nothing of the business of ruling”

Question 4

What do the historians think of Nich’s preparation?

Answer 4

They agreed he was not prepared

• “Unwilling and unable to rule”

Question 5

Hans roger quote about Nich

Answer 5

” Nicholas had no knowledge of the world or of men”

Question 6

Trotsky’s quote about Nich

Answer 6

” Not fit to run a village post office”

Question 7

Nich’s influence

Answer 7

Konostanin Pobedonostev

Question 8

Influence on Nich

Answer 8

• Firmly connected to Tsarists conservative
• Wanted to keep autocracy as ordained structure of political power in Russia
• Believed democracy would lead to collapse of Russia

Question 9

When was his coronation speech

Answer 9

In 1895

• Dismissed claims of democrats as “seamless dreams”

Question 10

Some problems that he faced as Tsar

Answer 10

1. Economic backwardness
2. Needed to modernize + industrialize Russia to compete w/ other European countries
3. Strong industrial economy necessary if it were to remain an important military power

Question 11

National poverty

Answer 11

Backwardness + inefficient agriculture which failed to feed rapidly growing nor provide government w/surplus for national security

Question 12

Peasant problem

Answer 12

• Land hunger, low income, debt, starvation

Threatened stability of of tsarist regime

Question 13

Dangers of modernization

Answer 13

• Challenged tsarist regime and leader
• Calls for parliament and democracy caused by greater modernization

Question 14

Key issue

Answer 14

How to get political benefits of economic modernization w/out making concessions to to opposition calls for political charge

Question 15

Key aim

Answer 15

Modernize w/out social and extreme economic reform

• modernize w/out revolution

Question 16

Agriculture

Answer 16

Inefficient due to MIR’s preventing innovation and lack of investment in agriculture technology

Question 17

Industrial output

Answer 17

Increased during both reigns of Alexander 2 and 3 but low level

• Late industrial development is a result of underbanking system