Background of Russia Flashcards
What was Russia described as in comparison to Western Europe?
Backwards
Why was Russia considered “backwards”
It was behind in the development occurring in Western Europe countries such as industrial developments and the standards of literacy and the breakdown of social hierarchies
What did late developments in industry mean?
Russia lacked skilled workers
What word describes the political state of Russia?
Autocracy
How did Tsar Nicholas maintain an autocracy?
He made Russia a police state- he put curbs on freedom of speech within press and travel. He created the Okhrana who were the secret police who arrested anyone anti-tsarist.
Who did Nicholas rely on?
His nobles and the army (Russia had the largest army in Europe)
What did Russia not have that would represent the people’s views?
Parliament
Who were the 3 main opposition parties to the Tsar?
Liberals, Social Revolutionaries and Social Democrats
Who were involved in the Liberals and what were their aims?
The Kadets and Octobrists. They wanted moderate reform and a constitutional monarchy
Who led the SR’s and what were their aims?
Led by Victor Chernov. They wanted to improve the position of the peasants and attract industrial workers
What was a limitation of the SR’s?
They lacked discipline and co-ordination
Who were the SD and what were they based on?
Led by educated intellectuals- split into 2 groups Bolsheviks ran by Lenin and Mensheviks ran by Martov. Both based on theories by Karl Marx
Which opposition party was the most violent?
The SR’s. They had terrorist elements.
What was the October Manifesto?
Where in 1905, the 3 opposition parties pressurised the Tsar after a heavy defeat from Japan which led to the creation of the Duma
What was the duma?
A sort of parliament which would supposedly have the power to make laws
