1.2 The growth of opposition (Before 1917)

Question 1

Bloody Sunday

Answer 1

• Sunday 22 January 1905
• Led by Father Gapon
• Was a peaceful protest around 200,000 people who were
  marching towards the Tsar’s Winter palace in St Petersburg
• They were petitioning for better working conditions
• Tsar wasn’t in his palace and Soldiers panicked causing them
  to fire on the protestors
• 100s killed thousands wounded

Question 2

1905 Revolution

Answer 2

• The events of Bloody Sunday and the loss of the Russo-Japan
  War added to discontent.
• Revolutionary fervour in the people February 1905
• Nicholas II delivered the October Manifesto, promised freedom
  speech, an end to censorship and a national parliament
• Nicholas ignored the warnings of the revolution.

Question 3

Stolypin’s Necktie

Answer 3

• After the 1905 revolution Nicholas appointed Peter Stolypin as
  prime-minister.
• He introduced many reforms particularly in agriculture and
  education.
• However, during his time there were over 3000 executions and
  the gallows became known as Stolypin’s ‘Necktie’

Question 4

Rasputin

Answer 4

• Nicholas’ son Alexei suffered from Haemophilia
• Rasputin was a holy man who had the ability to Alexei’s illness
• Hosted several naughty no clothes parties and was often
  surrounded by women.
• He added fodder for anti-tsarists

Question 5

The Social Democratic Party

Answer 5

• Founded in 1901
• Followed the principles of Karl Marx
• In 1903 split into two parties the mensheviks and the Bolsheviks

Question 6

Mensheviks

Answer 6

The Mensheviks believed that the party should have mass membership and were prepared for slow change. Led by Julius Martov and Leon Trotsky

Question 7

Blosheviks

Answer 7

Believed that a small party elite should organise the revolution.
They were led by Vladimir Lenin,

Question 8

The Socialist Revolutionaries

Answer 8

• Founded in 1901
• They believed in a revolution of the peasants and wanted to get
  rid of the tsar
• Terrorist activities by the SRs before 1917 led to the death of
  thousands
• This eventually led to Alexander Kerensky becoming the
  leader of the SRs

Question 9

The Octoberists

Answer 9

• Founded in October 1905 directly after the Tsar released his
  October Manifesto
• This faction believed the Tsar would keep his promises
• Main support from the Middle classes
• Alexander Guchkov

Question 10

The Constitutional Democratic Party

Answer 10

• High demand for a democratic style of government
• Wanted a constitutional monarch and an elected parliament like
  Britain
• Some were prepared to set up a republic