AOS3: Causes Of Russian Revolution (Key Figures)

Question 1

Tsar Nicholas II

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 1

1)

• Incompetent ruler (Russo-Japanese War, WWI)
• Oppressive ruler (Okhrana, Bloody Sunday, Lena Goldfields)
• Did not provide reform (October Manifesto/Fundamental State Laws)

2)

Question 2

Tsarina Alexandra

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 2

1)

• Caused resentment for Tsardom (German, Rasputin conspiracy, ministerial leapfrogging)
• Influenced Nicholas to stick to autocracy

2)

Question 3

Count Sergei Witte

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 3

1)

• Constructed Trans-Siberian Railway (increased industrialisation/public satisfaction)
• Minister of transport, communication, finance (responsible for ‘great spurt’)
• Reforms to industry initiated exodus to cities, essentially creating the proletariat
• Gained financial support from foreign investment = progressed economy

2)

Question 4

Pyotr Stolypin

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 4

1)

• Introduced mass executions (Stolypin’s necktie) and exiled revolutionary groups
• ‘Land bank’, increased independence for peasant land ownership
• Introduced economic reforms (land ownership), which ultimately were never passed

2)

Question 5

Grigori Rasputin

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 5

1)

• Speculated affair with Tsarina discredited regime
• Seen as plotting against Russia with Tsarina = political resentment from public

2)

Question 6

Alexander Kerensky

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 6

1)

• Member of the SR’s and 4th Duma
• Prime Minister of the Provisional Government (after Lvov)
• Removed death penalty + cultural/political discrimination
• Continued WWI + did not deliver economic reform = revolutionary sentiment
• Attacked Bolsheviks and sparked October Revolution

2)

Question 7

Vladimir Lenin

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 7

1)

• ‘What is to be done?’ = established Bolsheviks/increased revolutionary attitudes
• April Thesis = turned attitudes against Prov Gov
• Planned the October Revolution

2)

Question 8

Leon Trotsky

1) Contribution to the outbreak of Revolution
2) Stats/Quotes

Answer 8

1)

• Vice Chairman of the Petrograd Soviet
• Organised Red Guards
• Formed the MILREVCOM
• Led/organised the October Revolution

2)