Russia Early 1917 Tsar reign Flashcards
1
Q
In early 1917, there was massive discontent with the government, why was this?
A
- Russia was an autocracy, Tsar hadall the power so he did what he wanted The only parliment was the ‘Duma’ with little power
- 70% of population supported orthodox church, this taught Tsar was the divineruler of the country
- People had little freedom, opposition would be suppressed with okhrana secret police, newspapers were censored
2
Q
The Tsar Nicholas II had weakenesses what were they?
A
- System of autocracy only works with a strong tsar controling government, Nihcolas was not a strong character
- Was ignorant to extent to opposition of tsarist regime and refused to share power
3
Q
How was Russia’s industrial development by 1917?
A
- With rich land, full of minerals, the inustrialisation didn’t occur until end of 19th cent, far behind rest of europe
- Its size and underdeveloped system of transport along with ineffectie banking restricted growth
- By wwi, 1914, their coal ouput in Ukraine and oil output in Caucus had all gone up rapidly - coal and oil production went up tenfold
- Count Sergei, had task of modernising russia, aksed foreign experts for help, while it led to growth working conditions became awful discontetn with people
4
Q
What happened on Sunday 22 Jan 1905?
A
- Bloody sunday, father Gapon led 200k peaceful protesters for better working conditions to Tsar winter palacce St Petersburg
- Tsar wasn’t present so soldiers panicked and let fire on corwd killing hundreds and wounding thousands
5
Q
What did Bloody Sunday result in/
A
- Bloody sunday and loss to Japan in 1904 war sparked a revolution in Russia Feb 1905
- Strikes and mutiny in navy
6
Q
What did Nicholas II do during revolution to avoid further chaos?
A
- ## He issued the October manifesto, this promised freedom of seech, end to censorship and a national parliment (duma)
7
Q
What happened after 1905 rev regarding Stolypin?
A
- Nicholas appointed Peter Stolypin as PM
- Stolypin introduced reforms regarding agriculture and education, anyone opposing them were dealt with severly
- More than 3k deaths as Stolypin PM time, gallows became known as ‘Stolypin’s Necktie’
8
Q
In the years after 1905 what was the failure of the Duma?
A
- After 1905, Nicholas ensured duma had little power, after first election, he declared he had power to dissolve it whenever he liked
- 4 different dumas between 1906-14
- He went against promisies of October manifesto, not sharing power, this stimulated opponents- mainly different political groups
9
Q
Why did Rasputin cause more resentment from the political opposition to Tsarist regime?
A
- 1907, Nicholas and Alexandra, relied on holy man Rasputin for help and guidance, he had ability to control dangerous illness, haemophillia Alexei suffered from
- Tsar and Tsarina, called Rasputin ‘Our friend’, his position and power grew so much he helped choose government ministers
- Rumours about his hedontic lifestlye, like orgies circulated, he became ammunition for Tsarist opposition that didnt like the corrupt system
10
Q
What was the industrial unrest in 1910s?
A
- Russia’s rapid growth led to bad working conditions leading to a wave of strikes before 1914
- Largest in 1912, where 200 were shot dead, this led to many strkes and a genral strike in St Petersburg
11
Q
By 1917, what were the mian political groups that opposed Tsarist regime?
A
- Social Democratic Party
- Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs)
- The Octoborists
- Consitutional Democratic Party (CADETS)
12
Q
What was the Social Democratic party?
A
- Founded 1901, followed Karl Marx teeachings, believed proleteriat would stage a revolution and remove Tsar, one day leading to communist state
- Divided into Bolsheviks, small party of elites led by Lenin and Mensheviks large group for led by Trotsy and Martov
13
Q
What were th Social Revoltionaries party?
A
- Believed in revolution of peasant aimed to rid Tsar
- Wanted to share all land between peasants, so could be famred in small communities
- Some members used terrorism and killed many governemnt officials by 1917
Led by Kerensky
14
Q
How did WW1 start and how was Russia involved?
A
- Heir to Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand assasinated in Serbia June 1914, Austria- Hungary protected by Germany declared war on Serbia
- Russia protector of Serbia, mobilised troops to Serbia leading Germany to declare war on them in AUgust
15
Q
What were the expectations of Russia for WW1?
A
- Entered with great expectations of success, believed size of Russia army ‘Russian Steamroller’ would be too big and strong
