Why did the Tsarist regime collapse in 1917? (extra details not in ready made cards)

Question 1

There are 5…

How did the Tsar exercise control over his people?

Answer 1

• Newspapers were censored
• Political parties banned
• Police special force that dealt with political opponents of the regime
• The Okhrana sent thousands to prison or Siberia
• Cossak army

Question 2

How was the countryside governed?

Answer 2

• Each peasant belonged to village commune which controlled thier daily lives
• Each area had ‘land captain’ , a local noble who dealt with disputes/crime
• Larger regions had governors (aristocrats appointed by Tsar) who had power to arrest people etc

Question 3

How were towns and cities governed?

Answer 3

• There were some elected officials called Zemstva who were dominated by nobles and profesional classes
• Did some good work in areas such as health and education and gave useful experince in running local gov
• Some wanted a national Zemstva who would help run country, but Tsar and his autocratic regime didn’t allow this

Question 4

What was Bloody Sunday?

Reason for the 1905 revolution!

Answer 4

• A crowd of 200,000 protestors who wanted the Tsar’s help marched to his palace on 22nd Jan 1905
• However the tsar was not in his palace, and the guards panicked and fired on the crowd
• Hundreds died, news spread quickly to other cities

Question 5

What happened during the Russia-Japan war?

Reason for the 1905 revolution!

Answer 5

• Tsar felt threatened by Japan and the rivaly and suspicion erupted into war in Feb 1904
• He hoped it would unite his subjects behind him
• Russia underestimated Japan’s military and was defeated on land and humiliated at sea –> made the Tsar look bad
• Increased discontent amongst several different classes

Question 6

What were the effects of the faltering economy?

Reason for the 1905 revoltion!

Answer 6

• Russia entered economic depression from 1900, affecting all areas of the economy
• Wages fell, unemployment rose
• In 1902-3 there were more strikes

Question 7

There are 5 groups…

What was the new class that begun to emerge in Russia and who was it made up of?

Answer 7

Capitalists - landowners, industrialists, bankers, traders, buisness men, who increased the size of middle class epecially in towns

Up until this time, Russia had a very small middle class, and clashes between workers and capitalists were to play an important part in Russia history up to 1917

Question 8

Who were the Socialist revolutionaries (SR’s)?

Answer 8

A radical movement whose main aim was to carve up huge estates of nobility and hand them over to peasants - they had support in towns and the countryside.

This organisation was illegal

Question 9

What was the Social Democrat Party?

Answer 9

A smaller but more disciplined party who followed ideas of Karl Marx - split themselves into the Mensheviks and Bolsheviks

This organistaion was illegal

Question 10

What did the war with Japan result in?

Answer 10

Higher taxes, food prices and shortages

Question 11

What were the 8 reasons that the Tsar was facing revolution in 1905?

Answer 11

1. Discontented peasants
2. Discontented nationalities
3. Discontented workers
4. Discontented middle classes
5. War with Japan
6. Political opposition groups
7. Economic problems
8. Bloody sunday

Question 12

Briefly explain why unhappy peasants was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 12

They were treated harshly, suffered poor health and envied land of landlords

Question 13

Briefly explain why unhappy nationalities was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 13

Were treated as second class citizens and suffered discrimination

Question 14

Briefly explain why unhappy workers was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 14

They suffered appaling living and working conditions

Question 15

Briefly explain why the war with Japan was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 15

Increased discontent among several different classes

Question 16

Briefly explain why unhappy middle classes was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 16

Were unhappy with Tsar’s inefficient government and wanted some say in running of the country

Question 17

Briefly explain why political oppostion groups was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 17

Wanted to topple Tsar and stirred up and organised peasants and workers

Question 18

Briefly explain why economic problems was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 18

Throughout early 1900s depression and bad harvests led to food shortages

Question 19

Briefly explain why Bloody Sunday was a reason for revoltion in 1905.

Answer 19

Vicious massacre of innocent demonstrators

Question 20

Which groups joined the workers in demanding change?

Answer 20

• Liberals and middle classes who wanted civil rights and say in government
• Students who wanted freedom in unis
• Nationalities demanding independance
• However, they did not combine to form united opposition

Question 21

When did the Potemkin mutiny happen and why was it important?

Answer 21

In June 1905, which raised fears of other mutinies, while the Tsar needed armed forces to stay loyal

Question 22

What happened after the October manifesto in december?

Answer 22

Tsar took back control:
- Used force to close down St Petersburg soviet and crushed armed rising in Moscow
- Sent out troops to take take revenge on workers and peasants who rioted

Question 23

5 things…

What were the fundamental laws?

Answer 23

Released in April 1906 and gave Tsar rights to:
* Rule independantly when Duma was not in session
* Dissolve Duma at any point
* Change electoral system
* Appoint any ministers he wanted
* To be commander and chief of army and navy

Question 24

There are 6 factors…

How did the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 24

• Disunited opposition
• Army remaining loyal
• Loans
• Middle class fear of violence
• Liberal/socialist split
• Govt suppressing opposition

Question 25

Why did disunited oppostion help the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 25

* Very different people (workers, peasants, middle class, studenyts etc) * Had different aims and never united to bring down Tsarism

Question 26

Why did the army remaining loyal help the Tsar survive 1905? | Crucial factor!

Answer 26

Recieved pay --> supported Tsar --> could put down revolts around country

Question 27

Why did loans help the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 27

* By end of 1905 govt was in financial trouble * Secured massive loan from French bankers --> stabilized economy --> allowed govt to be sustained for a year and to pay troops

Question 28

Why did the middle class fear of violence help the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 28

Wanted revolution to stop and to return to authority and control | Especially after November uprising

Question 29

Why did the liberal/socialist split help the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 29

* Socialists wanted social revolution --> soviets becoming (more) militant --> show down between Tsar and socialists --> armed uprising in nov 1905 which was then crushed * Liberals wanted political reform and more democracy, and many felt they got what they wanted out of Oct. manifesto so withdrew from further action | Were split by october manifesto

Question 30

Why did the govt supressing opposition help the Tsar survive 1905?

Answer 30

* Used **brutal, repressive** measures to bring population back in line - effective in re-establishing govt control * E.g. in Oct. 1905-April 1906 **15,000 were executed and 45,000 were deported**, and peasants were hanged in their hundreds

Question 31

Describe the first Duma.

Answer 31

* First met in April 1906 * Couldn't pass laws, appoint ministers, or control finace in important areas like defense and Tsar could dissolve it whenever he wished

Question 32

What happened in the Dumas of 1906-1907? (Second)

Answer 32

They demanded more power for themselves and rights for the people (e.g. land for peasants and right to free education), but were dissolved after few weeks

Question 33

What happened in the third Duma?

Answer 33

Stolypin changed way that members were elected to favour rich even more and lasted until 1912 (was slightly less critical of govt)

Question 34

What happened in the fourth Duma?

Answer 34

Ran from 1912-14; achieved little before war began but Tsar did work with it.

Question 35

What was the 'stick' part in Stolypin's 'carrot and stick' approach?

Answer 35

* Came down hard on strikers, protestors and revolutionaries * Over 20,000 exiled and over 1000 hanged * Effectively killed off opposition in countryside until after 1914

Question 36

What was the 'carrot' approach in Stolypin's 'carrot and stick' approach?

Answer 36

* Trying to win over peasants with land * Allowed kulaks to opt out of communes and buy up land * These kulaks prospered and created larger and more efficient farms, and production increased significantly | However 90 percent of fertile land in Russia was still run in the old inefficient way

Question 37

What other reforms did Stolypin introduce?

Answer 37

* He tried to boost Russia's industries and **there was impressive economic growth between 1908-11** * Russia was still behind major industrial powers like Germany, Britian and USA

Question 38

Why was discontent continuing to grow?

Answer 38

* **Profits from industrial growth was going to capitalists** or were being paid back to banks in France * **Wages of industrial workers stayed low** while food and housing prices increased * Living and working conditions were still appalling

Question 39

Who was Rasputin and why was he a problem for the Tsar?

Answer 39

* A holy man who supposedly cured the Tsar's son of haemophilia and before long he was giving advice to Tsarina and Tsar on how to run the country * Russian people were suspicious of him and called him a womanizer and drinker, and Tsar's opponents siezed on this opportunity to show his weakness and unfitness to rule

Question 40

Why was the army a significant factor during WW1 of Tsarist opposition?

Answer 40

* Was badly led and treated by aristocratic officers * Was short of rifles, ammunition, artillery and shells * **Tsar took personal command of army** in Sept. 1915 with no experience --> made him liable to blame for military defeats (and there were lots)

Question 41

Why were peasants and workers a significant factor during WW1?

Answer 41

* Huge casualty figure left many peasants and workers needing state war pensions (which were not always recieved) * Terrible overcrowding in towns and cities, food and fuel shortages * Prices increased massively and bread queues in 1916-17 turned into political forums

Question 42

Why was the middle class an important factor in the significance of WW1?

Answer 42

* Were unhappy with Tsar by end of 1916 * **Set up their own medical organisations** or joined war committies to send supplies to troops - these organisations were more effective then govt ones * In 1915, alliance of Duma called **Progressive Bloc** urged tsar to work with them, but Tsar dismissed Duma a month later

Question 43

Why and when did the Tsar abdicate?

Answer 43

* Caused by febuary revolution * On **15th March he issued a statement saying he was abdicating** * Initial plan was for his brother Michael to take over, but he refused