Condition of Russia pre-revolution Flashcards
How was Russia ran?
Autocratic Tsar Nicholas II, who ruled by imperial edicts or ‘ukase’
Who did the Tsar depend on during his rule?
Nobility and imperial bureaucracy
How big was the Russian army?
Biggest army in the world - 12 million by WW1
Evidence of police state?
Curbs on freedom of speech, the press and of travel. There was also significant censorship and strict surveillance using the Okhrana
Powers of the Okhrana?
Unlimited power to carry out raids, arrest and ensure the imprisonment or exile of anyone suspected of anti-tsarist behaviour
Critics of the tsarist regime?
The Liberals (favoured moderate reform and a constitutional monarchy), the Social Revolutionaries (wanted to improve the lives of the peasantry - had significant internal divisions), the Social Democrats (based on theories of Karl Marx, split in 1903)
What split the social democrats?
Lenin wrote in favour of a strong disciplined organisation of professional revolutionaries against Julius Martov, who wanted a broader party.
Key chronology of tsarist Russia?
Jan 1905 - ‘Bloody Sunday’
Oct 1905 - St Petersburg Soviet is formed, Tsar’s October Manifesto authorises elections to State Duma
April 1906 - The Fundamental Laws reaffirm the autocracy
1906-11 - a programme of agrarian reform is attempted
1906-15 - Four State Dumas meet but their influence in controlled
1914 - WW1 begins
How was the Tsar educated?
Had been tutored by Konstantin Pobedonostsev - instilled autocratic ideals in Nicholas
Character of Tsar Nicholas?
Struggled to make clear political decisions, stubborn, wanted to keep his ministers weak to preserve his own authority
Why was Rasputin harmful?
His reputation for womanising and drunkenness damaged Nicholas’ reputation with the people he relied upon - civil servants, Orthodox bishops and army officers
What was the Romanov tercentenary?
In 1913, they organised a celebration for the tercentenary of Romanov rule - Nicholas declared ‘my people love me’ after seeing the celebrations
The economic and social state of Russia
Massive inflation caused by huge loans to pay for the war - 300% rise in cost of living
Supplies of food fell due to a shortage of workers in the fields
Railway system virtually collapsed under strain of war
In urban areas, unemployment soared as non-military factories closed due to lack of supplies.
The Russian war effort
Humiliating defeat at Battle of Tannenburg in August 1914 - 300,000 dead or wounded, thousands taken prisoner
Reports of military incompetence fueled discontent in the capital
Although the Russian government managed to mobilise 12 million men, it was unable to provide weaponry, uniform and footwear
By end of 1916 (after attempted Brusilov offensive), 1.5 million soldiers had deserted
Nicholas’ decision to go to the front line in September 1915 was damning to his reputation - failure could now be directly blamed on him
What were zemstva?
Elected council responsible for the local administration of provincial districts
What was the Zemgor?
All Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities - set up in June 1915.
It was headed by Prince Lvov and claimed the right to help the Tsar’s government in the war effort. The Tsar shunned it and turned it into a focus for liberal discontent.
What was the Progressive bloc?
An organisation of over half of the Fourth Duma deputies (Kadets, Octobrists and Progressives), which tried to act as a civilian government in August 1915. They demanded a constitutional monarchy - Nicholas refused any such thing.
When and why did Nicholas become Commander-in-Chief?
In September 1915 after defeats in Galicia on the Austro-Hungarian front
Why was Alexandra accused of sabotaging the Russian war effort?
Many changes of ministers in 1915-16, including 4 Prime Ministers, 3 Foreign Secretaries, 3 Ministers of Defense and 6 Interior Ministers
Accused of having an affair with Rasputin
Who warned the Tsar about his unpopularity?
Mikhail Rodzianko, President of the Fourth Duma
Evidence of inflation?
Salt - 483% increase
Meat - 232% increase
How many workers went on strike in January 1917?
30,000 in Moscow and 145,000 in Petrograd
What did Aleksandr Guchkov (one of the founders of the Progressive bloc) do?
Engaged in talks with senior army officers in 1916 about a possible coup to force the abdication of the tsar
What did Prince Lvov do in January 1917?
Indirectly asked the Tsar’s uncle whether he would be prepared to take over the throne.
Why was there less direct challenge from the left?
Most leaders were in exile and there were differences in opinion among socialists about whether or not they supported the war effort. (Lenin only had the support of around 10,000 radical socialist agitators)
How did WW1 decrease morale? (injured people)
Those injured in the war did not feel supported - only 100,000 beds for 4 million people in need of hospital treatment
How many Russian soldiers are lost in the first three weeks of fighting?
200,000 out of 1.5 million active personnel
How many Russian soldiers are lost in WW1 overall?
8 million out of 15 million
Evidence that Russia could not adequately supply its soldiers?
Only 4.5 million rifles for 6.5 million men mobilised
Evidence of supply problems in Petrograd?
Petrograd only received 1/3 of the food and 1/2 of the fuel its citizens required
