A level exam: Chapter 7-Nicholas II and the challenge to autocracy Flashcards
What was the start of Nicholas II’s rule like?
He said he didn’t want to be the tsar and he had been left with Russia in a bad way. He offered free foos, drink and gifts at his coronation but in the panic to see the new Tsar, 1400 people were trampled to death.
What was Russia like at the start of his rule?
It was a time of serious unrest in Russia and it had become more politicised after the Great Famine. There was mistrust of the government and there were outbursts of troubke in Russian universities. The disturbances were met with the Tsar’s minister Stolypin who arrested and shot peasants. There were industrial strikes which caused violent clashes as Cossacks fought.
What happened in the Russo-Japanese War?
The Tsar responded to a Japanese assault on a Russian naval base, hoping for a short war. However, Russia lost 6000 men compared to Japan’s 600 casualties and they had to accept the Treaty of Portsmouth to make peace.
What happened on Bloody Sunday?
On 20 December 1904 the Russians surrendered to the Japanese and this created discontent. Economic and political grievances led to a peaceful march on Sunday 9th Januaarty 1905 led by Gapon with his union. Nicholas II responded by using 12000 troops to break up demonstration, killing people and sparking an outbreak of rebellion.
What was the mutiny on the Battleship Potemkin?
Protests began over a moudly meat ration and led to a mutiny where 7 officers were killed. Townsfolk tried to pay respects and troops fired, killing more than 2000 people.
What was the October Manifesto?
The Tsar agreed to sign a decree promising reform. It said it would grant civic freedom and establish a state duma to allow a voice to all classes and approve laws.
What were the Dumas and how were they set up.
It was an elected government with a lower chamber where members were elected for a five year term and the upper chamber which was half elected and half appointed by the Tsar. The Government was appointef by the Tsar and was responsible to the Crown, not the Duma.
What were the Fundamental Laws?
Nicholas issued them and they said that Nicholas II could veto legislation, rule by decree, appoint or dismiss government ministers, dissolve the Duma, command land and sea forces, declare war, control military expenditure, overturn law verdicts and control the Orthodox Church.
What was the First Duma?
The Duma of hope was between May and July 1906 and was radical-liberal. It was critical of the Tsar and his ministers. The Duma passed a vote of no confidence in the governemnt and the Tsar dissolved the Duma.
What was the Second Duma?
The Duma of National Anger was between February and June 1907. It was more oppositional and Stolypin was unable to get support so he spread a story about a plot to assassinate the Tsar, leading to them being dissolved.
What was the Third Duma?
The Duma of the Lords and Lackeys’ was from November 1907 to June 1912. It was a submisssive Duma which agreed to most government proposals. It was suspended twice so that the government could pass emergency legislation and by 1912 it was clear it wasn’t working.
What was the Fourth Duma?
It was a docile body from 1912-1917 and the new PM Kokovsov ignored the DUma and its influence declined. It was too divided to fight back.
Who was Rasputin?
He was a peasant who spent time in a monastry. He appeared to heal Alexandra’s son. He accepted bribes and drank heavily but Nicholas still liked him as he was helping his son. This caused problems for the Tsar as Rasputin was unpopular amongst men and he was assassinated in 1916.
