Cht1: Russia in early 1917

Question 1

What were the ‘subject nationalities’ in the Russian Empire?

Answer 1

Non-Russian ethnic groups within the Russian Empire

Comprised over 20 different peoples with Russian as a foreign language for six out of ten.

Question 2

What was the policy of ‘Russification’?

Answer 2

A policy aimed at making non-Russians adopt Russian language and customs

Included prohibitions on teaching in native languages, such as Polish.

Question 3

What type of government did Russia have during the tsar’s rule?

Answer 3

Autocracy

All power was concentrated in the hands of the tsar.

Question 4

What percentage of the Russian population were members of the Orthodox Church?

Answer 4

70 percent

The Church supported the tsar’s authority.

Question 5

What was the role of the duma in Russia?

Answer 5

The only parliament with very limited power

It could not effectively influence government decisions.

Question 6

What was the function of the Okhrana?

Answer 6

The secret police used to suppress opposition to the tsar

Employed spies and agents to root out dissent.

Question 7

What did Nicholas II express upon becoming tsar?

Answer 7

He felt unprepared and reluctant to rule

He reportedly said he had no idea about ruling.

Question 8

How did Nicholas II’s character affect his rule?

Answer 8

He was not a strong character and was ignorant of opposition

This ignorance contributed to the weakening of the autocracy.

Question 9

What was the major issue with Russian agriculture?

Answer 9

Poor agricultural practices and limited arable land

Only about 5% of land was suitable for farming.

Question 10

What was the predominant farming method in Russia?

Answer 10

Scattered strip farming using primitive tools

This led to low food production and frequent famines.

Question 11

When did industrialization begin in Russia?

Answer 11

At the end of the nineteenth century

This was much later than in countries like Britain and Germany.

Question 12

What were the main factors for rapid industrial growth in Russia by 1914?

Answer 12

Increase in coal and oil output and government policy

Count Sergei Witte played a significant role in these developments.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The Russian population was largely engaged in _______.

Answer 13

Agriculture

Question 14

True or False: The tsar’s council of ministers could make important government decisions.

Answer 14

False

The council had limited power.

Question 15

What were the consequences of rapid industrial growth in Russia?

Answer 15

Poor living and working conditions for workers

This led to increased discontent among the population.

Question 16

What was Nicholas II’s relationship with his son Alexis?

Answer 16

Alexis suffered from haemophilia

This was a source of personal distress for Nicholas II.

Question 17

What percentage of the Russian population did the aristocracy make up?

Answer 17

Just over one per cent of the population

Question 18

What fraction of all the land did the aristocracy own?

Answer 18

Almost one-quarter of all the land

Question 19

What were some characteristics of the lifestyle of the aristocracy?

Answer 19

Lavish homes, second homes, many servants

Question 20

What contributed to the growth of the middle class in Russia by 1914?

Answer 20

Development of industry

Question 21

What professions were included in the growing middle class?

Answer 21

Bankers, merchants, factory owners

Question 22

What was the lifestyle of the middle class in Russia by 1914?

Answer 22

Pleasant lifestyle, eating out, attending theatre or ballet

Question 23

What percentage of the Russian population were peasants before 1917?

Answer 23

Nearly four out of every five Russian people

Question 24

What was the staple diet of the peasants?

Answer 24

Rye bread and cabbage soup

Question 25

What was the average life expectancy of peasants in Russia?

Answer 25

Less than 40 years

Question 26

What was the final and most rapidly growing group in Russian society?

Answer 26

New industrial workers in the towns and cities

Question 27

What conditions did town workers typically face?

Answer 27

Overcrowded slums, low wages, long hours

Question 28

What type of food did town workers commonly eat?

Answer 28

Cheap black bread, cabbage soup, wheat porridge

Question 29

Where did workers often live in industrial centres away from the cities?

Answer 29

Barracks next to the factory

Question 30

What were the working conditions like for industrial workers?

Answer 30

Terrible, with filthy overcrowded dormitories

Question 31

What restrictions were placed on workers regarding trade unions?

Answer 31

Workers were forbidden to form trade unions

Question 32

What was the response to protests and strikes by workers?

Answer 32

Crushed with brutality by police or army

Question 33

What event is referred to as 'Bloody Sunday'?

Answer 33

A peaceful march led by Facher Gapon on January 22, 1905, that ended with soldiers firing on the crowd, killing hundreds and wounding thousands. ## Footnote The march was intended to petition for better working conditions.

Question 34

What was the immediate consequence of Bloody Sunday?

Answer 34

It sparked the 1905 Revolution in Russia, leading to strikes and a mutiny in the navy. ## Footnote The revolution was fueled by discontent over Russia's defeat in the war with Japan.

Question 35

What did Tsar Nicholas II issue in response to the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 35

The October Manifesto, which promised freedom of speech, an end to censorship, and a national parliament (duma). ## Footnote This was an attempt to quell further chaos and unrest.

Question 36

How did Nicholas II respond to the warnings of the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 36

He ignored the warnings and refused to implement significant changes or reforms. ## Footnote This led to continued opposition against his rule.

Question 37

Who was appointed as prime minister after the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 37

Peter Stolypin. ## Footnote Stolypin introduced some reforms but dealt harshly with opposition.

Question 38

What was Stolypin's 'necktie'?

Answer 38

A term referring to the more than 3,000 executions that took place during Stolypin's time as prime minister. ## Footnote It symbolized the severe measures taken against those opposing the tsar.

Question 39

What was the status of the duma after its creation?

Answer 39

The duma had little power, and Nicholas II could dissolve it or change election rules at will. ## Footnote There were four different dumas from 1906 to 1914.

Question 40

What did Nicholas II's actions regarding the duma represent?

Answer 40

A refusal to share power and a continuation of autocratic rule. ## Footnote This went against the promises made in the October Manifesto.

Question 41

Who was Gregory Rasputin?

Answer 41

A holy man who gained influence over Nicholas II and Alexandra due to his ability to manage their son Alexei's hemophilia. ## Footnote Rasputin's influence contributed to political opposition against the tsar.

Question 42

What were some rumors surrounding Rasputin?

Answer 42

He was rumored to have a hedonistic lifestyle, including orgies and a constant presence of women. ## Footnote These rumors fueled discontent with the tsar's regime.

Question 43

True or False: Rasputin helped choose government ministers.

Answer 43

True. ## Footnote His growing power at court was seen as corrupt by many critics.

Question 45

What year was the Social Democratic Party founded?

Answer 45

1901

Question 46

Who were the leaders of the Bolsheviks?

Answer 46

Vladimir Lenin

Question 47

What did the Social Democratic Party believe would happen to the tsar?

Answer 47

The workers would stage a revolution and remove the tsar.

Question 48

What year did the Social Democratic Party split into Mensheviks and Bolsheviks?

Answer 48

1903

Question 49

What was the main belief of the Mensheviks?

Answer 49

The party should have a mass membership and prepare for slow change.

Question 50

Who led the Mensheviks?

Answer 50

Julius Martov and Leon Trotsky

Question 51

What were the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) founded to achieve?

Answer 51

A revolution of the peasants to get rid of the tsar.

Question 52

What did the Socialist Revolutionaries aim to do with land?

Answer 52

Share all land among the peasants.

Question 53

What types of methods did the Socialist Revolutionaries use to achieve their aims?

Answer 53

* Terror * Constitutional methods

Question 54

Who eventually led the Socialist Revolutionaries?

Answer 54

Alexander Kerensky

Question 55

When were the Octobrists founded?

Answer 55

October 1905

Question 56

What did the Octobrists believe regarding the tsar's October Manifesto?

Answer 56

The tsar would carry out his manifesto promises of limited reform.

Question 57

Who led the Octobrists?

Answer 57

Alexander Guchkov

Question 58

What was the main demand of the Constitutional Democratic Party (Cadets)?

Answer 58

A constitutional monarch and an elected parliament.

Question 59

What year was the Constitutional Democratic Party (Cadets) founded?

Answer 59

1905

Question 60

Who led the Constitutional Democratic Party (Cadets)?

Answer 60

Paul Milyukov

Question 61

Fill in the blank: The Social Democratic Party followed the teachings of _______.

Answer 61

Karl Marx

Question 62

True or False: The Octobrists primarily gained support from the working class.

Answer 62

False

Question 63

What was a significant consequence of terrorist activity by SR members?

Answer 63

The deaths of thousands of government officials.

Question 64

What was the political stance of the Cadets regarding government structure?

Answer 64

They wanted a constitutional monarch and an elected parliament, similar to Britain.

Question 65

What was the main focus of the SRs' revolutionary efforts?

Answer 65

The peasantry

Question 66

Who was the heir to the Austrian throne and when was he assassinated?

Answer 66

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated in Serbia on 28 June 1914

Question 67

True or False: Austria-Hungary, supported by Germany, declared war on the Serbs

Answer 67

True

Question 68

Who was the protector of serbia?

Answer 68

Russia, they moblilised its military forces to help Serbia. leading to Germany declaring war on Russia in August