Condition of Russia before the revolution Flashcards
the Tsar and political authority; the war effort; the economic and social state of Russia; discontent
challenges of large country
big disparity in society, wealth gaps religious and cultural differences
problem of peasants
very large population of illiterate and uneducated people who were stubborn on tradition
problems with technology
needed to modernise the economy but didn’t want to change social structure
Nicky’s character issues
Stubborn and not willing to accept the reform needed in the country
only surrounded himself with people he liked or trusted and was easily influence
what happened in 1905
riots all over Russia challenging tsarism
what was the October manifesto
put down the 1905 revolution
promised the creation of a duma (elected parliament) - no laws to be passed unless approved by duma, free speech/press and better rights for workers
problems with October manifesto
Nicky went back on what he promised
could still rule independently when Duma was not in session and could dissolve it at any point
how many soldiers were mobilised in 1914 and by 1918
1914 5.3 mill
1918 over 15 mill
When was the Battle of tannenburg and was it a success
1914
successful
decisive victory against the Germans
When was the Gorlice-Tanow offensive and what happened
May 1915
500km German advance
2 million casualties
1 million prisoners
Russian army had a lack of supplies
When did Nicholas assume supreme command of the army
23rd August 1915
why was Nicholas taking command of the army bad
he became responsible for any failures
limited control of the home front - Alexander and Rasputin in charge
What happened when Alexandra and Rasputin were in charge
promoted people on loyalty to Nicholas
ministerial leapfrog e.g. 4 prime minister 3 foreign secretaries 6 interior ministers 1915-1916
When was the Brusilov offensive
June 1916
what happened in the Brusilov offensive
backup for the offensive never arrived
1.4 million Russian soldiers killed/injured
exhaustion and disillusionment led to desertion and mutiny
why was there inflation
before the war 98% of Russian notes backed by gold
gold standard abandoned during the war
gov put more notes into circulation
how much did earning food and fuel prices increase
earning doubled
food and fuel prices x4
1914-1916
why was there mass unemployment
inflation
emphasis on military meant non military factories closed down
why was there food shortages in towns and cities
1914-1916 grain yield was higher than normal
inflation meant selling grain was unprofitable
peasants hoarded grain
military had first claim on agricultural produce
food and fuel issues in Petrograd 1916
receiving 1/3 of its food and fuel requirements
What happened in Petrograd January 1917
145,000 workers went on strike
when did the duma reconvene and what did it reccommend
August 1915
asked Tsar to replace incompetent ministers with ministry of national confidence
why did the Tsar reject the dumas request
feared it would diminish his power
what was the progressive bloc
formed after Nicholas reject the request of the Duma
236 Duma deputies
initially tried to persuade Nicholas to make concenssions
then turned against him
why did the army loose loyalty to the Tsar
army had become mainly peasants
exhaustion and disillusionment with the war
