Nicholas II - Knowledge Organiser

Question 1

The Gold Standard definition

Answer 1

This is when the amount of money in circulation is limited by a country’s gold reserves. It makes a currency more stable.

Question 2

The SDs definition

Answer 2

The Russian Social Democratic Worker’s Party. A Marxist party. Split into Mensheviks and Bolsheviks in 1903.

Question 3

The SRs definition

Answer 3

Socialist Revolutionary Party. Founded in 1901, supported land redistribution among peasants. Advocated terrorist methods.

Question 4

Mensheviks definition

Answer 4

Formed in 1903 when SDs split. Led by Martov. Wanted to wait for a bourgeois revolution before a workers revolution.

Question 5

Bolsheviks definition

Answer 5

Formed in 1903 when SD split. Led by Lenin. Wanted a small group of educated men to lead the workers in a revolution.

Question 6

Union of Liberation definition

Answer 6

A liberal organisation which pressed for constitutional change as well as social evolution along European lines

Question 7

General strike definition

Answer 7

A strike of workers in all or most industries

Question 8

State Duma definition

Answer 8

A national, elected governing body promised in the October Manifesto.

Question 9

Octobrists definition

Answer 9

A moderate conservative party, supported by landowners and industrialists, that accepted the October Manifesto.

Question 10

Kadets definition

Answer 10

Members of the Constitutional Democratic Party who accepted the October Manifesto

Question 11

1894

Answer 11

-Alexander III died
-Accession of Nicholas II

Question 12

1898

Answer 12

-Establishment of the Russian Social Democratic Workers Party

Question 13

1901-05

Answer 13

-Economic slump following world-wide depression and failed harvests. Increased unrest.

Question 14

1901-06

Answer 14

New opposition groups ; the SRs, Mensheviks, Bolsheviks, Union of Liberation

Question 15

1904-05

Answer 15

Russo-Japanese War ends in defeat for Russia

Question 16

1905

Answer 16

Bloody Sunday begins a year of unrest in Russia - the 1905 Revolution

Question 17

1905-06

Answer 17

-October Manifesto promised a State Duma
-Fundamental Laws protected autocracy

Question 18

1906-11

Answer 18

Stolypin’s agrarian reforms improve agriculture

Question 19

1906-17

Answer 19

-Four State Dumas were elected
-The first two were short-lived

Question 20

1914

Answer 20

-WW1 begins
-Germany declared war on Russia

Question 21

Feb 1917

Answer 21

-Revolution
-Nicholas II abdication in March

Question 22

Industry

Answer 22

Russian industry was transformed in this period, largely thanks to the Finance Minister, Sergei Witte, He developed the railways to stimulate the growth of heavy industry. This approach led to huge growth making Russia the fifth-largest industrial power by 1914. Yet, the financial and social cost of success was high.

Question 23

Agriculture

Answer 23

Agriculture was largely ignored until Minister of the Interior, Stolypin turned his attention to reform in 1906. His reforms led to increased peasant land ownership and grain production. Yet, land hunger remained.

Question 24

Society

Answer 24

Industrialisation led to the growth of the middle and working classes. Working and living conditions remained poor for peasants and workers. Small improvements in education and social welfare. The ROC had less influence over urban communities but it remained strong. Nicholas II continued Russification.

Question 25

Nicholas II as ruler

Answer 25

Nicholas was determined to rule ‘as his father had done’ but proved incapable of making decisions or providing any sense of direction. Nicholas declared himself ‘unfit to reign’. He was wedded to autocracy.

Question 26

Opposition 1894-1904

Answer 26

There was unrest in towns no countryside and the Tsarist government appeared to offer no prospect of change. The tsar relied on his army and the Okhrana. The 1901 economic slump led to increased unrest and. number of new political groups emerged: the SDs, SRs, Mensheviks, Bolsheviks and Union of Liberation.

Question 27

1905 revolution

Answer 27

Defeats in the Russo-Japanese war added to the unrest at home. Bloody Sunday saw the death of over 100 peaceful workers and led to a series of strikes, riots, assassinations and mutinies throughout 1905.

Question 28

The Dumas 1906-1914

Answer 28

The Tsar could no longer rely on the army and police to restore order so was forced to concede the October Manifesto which promised a State Duma. Before the first Duma met the Tsar passed the Fundamental Laws confirming his autocracy. Arguably he did not really establish a constitutional monarchy.

Question 29

Opposition 1906-14

Answer 29

More moderate opposition groups were placated by the Duma. Radical groups were prevented from sitting on the state Duma and their leaders were exiled. Strikes continued, increasing significantly 1910-14.

Question 30

World War One

Answer 30

There were problems with supply lines and production in both agriculture and industry. Nicholas decided to lead the army at the front himself leaving Russia to be ruled poorly by the unpopular Tsarina and Rasputin.

Question 31

February 1917 election

Answer 31

In the winter of 1917, the pressure of WWI built to a workers’ revolution in Petrograd. The Tsar was encouraged by his ministers and generals to abdicate in March.