Chapter 2 - S7 Flashcards
What was Nicholas II like
Had Little interest in politics
Believed in his god given right to rule
Tutored by pobedonostsev
Set out to maintain autocracy and continue Russification
What were the years after 1894 like for Russia
Characterised by serious unrest
Gov’s failure to deal with 1891-2 famine led to more reform support
1902-7 - widespread disturbances in both towns and countryside
Industrial strikes escalated
What did ‘father gapon’ do in 1904
Formed an ‘officially approved trade union’ ( the assembly of st Petersburg factory workers) to channel workers grievances
What happened in January 1904
Japanese attacked Russian naval base at port Arthur
Phleve (minister for inter affairs) encouraged tsar to launch swift + successful war to divert attention from unrest at home
Initial outburst of patriotism but defeats In the war led to more opposition
What was the response to renewed cries for a representative National Assembly duma
November 1904 - new minister for internal affairs (mirsky) agreed to invite zemstvo representatives to discussions in st Petersburg
However Nicholas refused to allow representative government.
What happened in January 1905 ( the initial outburst of the 1905 revolution)
A strike began at putilov iron works
What was ‘Bloody Sunday’
Took place in January 1905 - during the 1905 revolution
Peaceful march led by father Gapon to the winter palace to petition the tsar for reform
Demonstration broken up by military force + hundreds killed
What happened to the Tsars uncle in February 1905
Grand duke Sergei was assassinated + Nicholas promised an elected consultive assembly
What happened from march- may 1905
Numerous illegal trade unions were formed
What happened in august 1905
Treaty of Portsmouth concluded the Russo-Japanese war
What happened in October 1905
A soviet (workers council) set up in st Petersburg + directed a general strike
The tsar signed the ‘October manifesto’ promising a constitution, civil rights and the establishment of a state duma
General strike called off
What happened in October - December 1905
Mutinies strikes and peasant unrest were firmly repressed.
Leaders of ‘st Petersburg soviet’ were exiled to Siberia
Moscow revolt was crushed, peasant unrest continued
What new constitutional arrangement was drawn up in accordance with the tsars October manifesto
Lower chamber (state duma)
Upper chamber (state council)
Government (council of ministers under the prime minister)
What was the ‘lower chamber’
Deputies were elected through ‘indirect voting’ (weighted in favour of nobility and peasants)
Deputies elected for five-year term
What was the ‘upper chamber’
Deputies held elected by zemstva, half appointed by tsar
Representatives of nobility from the major institutions
Both houses had equal legislative power + all legislation also had to be approved by tsar
