Condition of Russia before Feb/Mar rev 1917 Flashcards
Romanov family ruled since?
1613
Autocracy
Autocracy is a system of government in which absolute power is held by the ruler, known as an autocrat. It includes some forms of monarchy and all forms of dictatorship
Duma
An elected Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions. The term comes from a Russian verb meaning ‘to think’ or ‘to consider’
Manifesto
A published declaration (of policy or aims). It usually promotes a new idea with prescriptive notions for carrying out the changes.
Cossacks
Loyal supporters of the Tsar on horseback who put down opposition and resistance to the Tsar. Best cavalry unit in the Russian Army, brutal and ruthless.
Imperial Russia
8 million square miles
twice the size of Europe
largest army of 1.5 million
Europes main exporter of agriculture produce
vast mineral reserves
diff nationalities
3/4 of pop live in 1/4 of land
Main problems
dense forest
hard to communicate over huge area
vulnerable- easily attacked as it has big borders
roads were hard to traverse along as muddy
artic ocean frozen-cant use boats
different ethnic groups
6/10 cant speak Russian
Tsar spent 45% money on army
rich/poor divide
communication and transport
mud roads
passenger steamers on River Volga
expansion of railways- Trans Siberian Railway 1904
Agriculture and economy
90% of people=peasants
inefficient farming led to frequent famines
average LE of peasant farmer=40 years
serf=Russian peasant
Government
autocrat that believed in the ‘divine right’
Tsar= head of church ‘Russian Orthodox’
no parliament or political parties until 1906
censorship
Okhrana
Russian secret police
Russian Political System
Russification
Russification was the policy of enforcing Russian culture on the vast numbers of ethnic minorities that lived in the Russian Empire
Who is Tsar Nicholas ii
Romanov fam
Eldest son of Alexander iii
Family oriented married to German Alexandra
Militaristic and believed in russification
Ruled from 1896-1917
Bloody Sunday
22nd Jan 1905 in St Petersburg
Growing discontent amongst the Russian working urban class
Father Gapon (Russian Orthodox Priest) gathered 150000 workers together to promote workers rights- made a petition urging the Tsar to reform workers rights
Led workers on a peaceful march to the Winter Palace to deliver the petition
Tsar was not in the palace and left the soldiers in charge
Soldiers began firing on the peaceful march - over 100 killed and many injured
The bloodshed caused riots and eventually led to the 1905 revolution
When was the Russo-Japanese war?
1904-1905
Russia suffered a humiliating loss which also led to the 1905 revolution
What were 2 consequences of Bloody Sunday?
- Sparked widespread outrage and protests leading to the larger revolutionary movement known as the 1905 Revolution, which included various strikes, uprisings, and demands for political reform
- The Tsar issued the October Manifesto in 1905, which promised to grant civil liberties, such as freedom of speech and to establish a legislative body known as the Duma. This was an attempt to appease the public and reduce the growing revolutionary sentiments
What was the 1905 revolution?
In 1904 Russia went to war with Japan as the result of imperial rivalry in the Far East. Russia’s catastrophic defeat sparked the 1905 revolution. The revolution was not a coordinated attack on the regime but a series of dramatic events that took place over several months. They included “Bloody Sunday” in January, which saw the massacre of workers peacefully marching to the Tsar’s Winter Palace in the capital, plus innumerable strikes and mutinies. In several cities, including the capital, workers set up elected ‘soviets’ (councils) and tried to assume control.
What did the Tsar do to the Duma?
1906 he issued the Fundamental Laws which reaffirmed his autocratic power and stated that the Duma could only advise the Tsar. He dissolved the Duma multiple times and ensured it was filled with members that were more favourable of his rule. Led to further frustration amongst the Russian people
What was the political climate like after 1905?
By the end of 1905, Russia boasted several major groups or parties desiring political reform. The events of 1905 served as a catalyst for this. In February Tsar Nicholas ordered the relaxation of laws governing political censorship, publication and assembly. This unleashed a tsunami of political propaganda, publications and documents, as well as the
organisation of scores if political meetings. Groups once forced to meet illegally or semi-legally could now gather openly, form political parties, draft party manifestos and produce propaganda for public consumption. Not all these Russian political parties were Marxist or socialist. Some wanted Russia to develop into a liberal democracy, underpinned by a constitution, a constituent assembly
and individual rights and freedoms. Others believed the promises laid out in the October Manifesto went far enough.
What does bureaucracy mean?
The state’s administrative officials
What were the main opposition groups?
The Liberals
The Social Revolutionaries (SRs)
The Social Democrats (SDs)
Who were the Liberals?
loose name for groups who favoured moderate reform and constitutional monarchy. Included among these were the Constitutional Democrats (Kadets), the Octoborists and the Progressives- loose grouping of businessmen.
Who were the Social Revolutionaries (SRs)
Formed in 1901
Evolved from groups who tried to improve the position of the peasantry from the 1860s
Tried to attract workers during industrial revolution but suffered from internal divisions
Extreme terrorist elements within became more influential and gained support from some trade unions and the middle class
Suffered from a lack of discipline-limited its chance of ambition
