Condition of Russia before Feb revolution

Question 1

In 1915, what role did Nicholas II take on and what was its consequences?

Answer 1

Nicholas took on the role of Commander in Chief of Russia’s army, ultimately making him responsible for any major losses

Question 2

What did Nicholas believe/rely on to rule?

Answer 2

Nicholas believed in his divine right to rule, meaning he believed Russia’s problems were in God’s hands and solved hardly any of Russia’s issues

Question 3

What was the significance of Rasputin?

Answer 3

The rumours of Rasputin and Alexandra weakened Nicholas’s authority, he was more powerful than ministers in court, which undermined support for the Tsar

Question 4

What was Nicholas forced to do in 1906?

Answer 4

Allow a State Duma to form (an elected representative assembly)

Question 5

Why were people unhappy with the Tsars treatment of the State Duma?

Answer 5

Nicholas refused to share any power with the Duma which frustrated people hoping for democracy, he remained fully responsible for all of Russia’s problems

Question 6

Give a battle that happened in 1914 that highlights the failings of WW1 in Russia

Answer 6

Battle of Tannenberg caused 300,000 Russian’s deaths/injuries with thousands taken prisoner

Question 7

In 1917, what were the 3 main groups of political opposition to the Tsar?

Answer 7

Liberals
Social Revolutionaries
Social Democrats (Bolsheviks + Mensheviks)

Question 8

What is a factor that caused numerous defeats for Russia in WW1?

Answer 8

Lack of weapons, ammunition, clothing

Question 9

What was the ‘Union of Zemstva’ set up to provide?

Answer 9

To provide the medical facilities the state seemed to neglect

Question 10

What did factory owners and businessmen set up to help coordinate their production for the war effort?

Answer 10

Congress of Representatives of Industry and Business

Question 11

When was the All Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities formed and how did Nicholas respond to it?

Answer 11

June 1915, Nicholas refused to let this civilian organisation take any part in his gov’s management of the war

Question 12

What did the ‘Progressive bloc’ in the State Duma demand, and when, how did Nicholas respond?

Answer 12

1915, a ‘Progressive bloc’ demanded that responsibility for the war effort be handed over to a civilian government, Nicholas refused which increased discontent further

Question 13

Who did Nicholas leave to govern in Petrograd and why did this fail?

Answer 13

Alexandra’s German descent + Rasputin’s influence meant no one listened to her, she failed to fix the food shortages

Question 14

What were the 2 most important impacts in towns and cities that had a significant social impact?

Answer 14

Food shortages, soaring cost of living

Question 15

What are 3 reasons for the soaring cost of living?

Answer 15

1. To pay for the war the gov raised taxes
2. Shortages of food manufactured products raised prices higher leading to inflation
3. Unemployment increased as non-military factories were forced to close due to a lack of supplies

Question 16

What are 4 reasons for the food shortages?

Answer 16

1. The millions of men conscripted into the army caused labour shortages on farms reducing supplies
2. Peasants hoarded their grain rather than sell it
3. Food supplies were prioritised for the army, leaving towns undersupplied
4. Railway system turned over to transporting military supplies, food for cities were a low priority

Question 17

What are some factors that led to unrest and strikes in towns and cities?

Answer 17

Food shortages, insanitary conditions, increase of death rate of workers, increased cost of living, rising unemployment

Question 18

In Jan 1917, how many workers went on strike in Moscow?

Answer 18

30,000

Question 19

In Jan 1917, how many workers went on strike in Petrograd?

Answer 19

145,000