dissent and revolution Flashcards
Who was the autocratic Emperor of Russia in 1917?
Tsar Nicholas II, a member of the Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia since 1613.
At what age did Tsar Nicholas II inherit the throne?
He inherited the throne in 1894 at the age of 26.
What significant event happened to Tsar Nicholas II’s grandfather?
His reformist grandfather, Tsar Alexander II, was blown up by a revolutionary bomb.
How did Tsar Nicholas II’s father influence him?
His father, Alexander III, was determined to uphold tsarist power without concessions.
What type of environment was Tsar Nicholas II brought up in?
He was brought up in a sheltered environment.
Who tutored Tsar Nicholas II?
He was tutored by the arch-conservative Konstantin Pobedonostsev.
What ideology was instilled in Tsar Nicholas II from a young age?
The moral correctness of autocracy.
Who was Nikolai Aleksandrovich Romanov?
Nikolai Aleksandrovich Romanov was the Tsar of Russia who never wanted to be Tsar but felt a divine calling to uphold autocracy.
What event led to the revolution in Russia in 1905?
Defeat in a war against Japan from 1904 to 1905 led to strikes and a revolution after the Tsarist army shot at a crowd demanding reforms on Bloody Sunday in January 1905.
What was the State Duma?
The State Duma was a legislative body that Nicholas was forced to establish, but he restricted its powers.
What happened in February 1917?
Popular demonstrations forced Tsar Nicholas to abdicate due to his handling of the First World War.
What happened to Nicholas after his abdication?
Nicholas was executed by Bolsheviks in January 1918.
How did Nicholas’s personality affect his rule?
Nicholas’s shy and awkward personality made him ill-suited for the role of Tsar, leading to over-cautiousness and difficulty in making political decisions.
What was Nicholas’s view on advice and criticism?
Nicholas resented uncalled-for advice, viewing it as criticism, and he was extremely stubborn.
What was Nicholas’s approach to his ministers?
Nicholas kept his ministers weak to preserve his authority, pitting them against each other and dismissing them without personal confrontation.
How did Nicholas view his rule in relation to earlier Muscovite rulers?
Nicholas liked to think of himself as ruling in the tradition of earlier Muscovite rulers, believing in a strong bond with the masses.
What challenges weakened political authority in Russia by early 1917?
Nicholas’s reluctance to innovate, state finance problems, and disorganization in Tsarist government weakened political authority.
Who introduced her husband to Grigorii Rasputin?
Tsarina Alexandra introduced her husband, Tsar Nicholas II, to Grigorii Rasputin.
What condition did Aleksei suffer from?
Aleksei suffered from haemophilia, an inherited disease that prevented his blood from clotting.
What negative influence did Rasputin have on Tsar Nicholas II?
Rasputin interfered in government appointments and damaged Nicholas’ reputation due to his womanising and drunkenness.
What significant event occurred in 1913 for Tsar Nicholas II?
In 1913, Nicholas celebrated the tercentenary of Romanov rule with jubilee rituals across Russia.
What was Tsar Nicholas II’s perception of his people’s feelings towards him?
Nicholas believed that ‘my people love me’ despite the discontent around him.
What was Tsarina Alexandra’s background?
Tsarina Alexandra was of German descent and the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England.
What was the impact of Rasputin on Alexandra and Nicholas’s political position?
Alexandra’s devotion to Rasputin and her lack of political understanding weakened Nicholas’s position.
What happened to Tsarina Alexandra and her family in 1918?
Tsarina Alexandra and her family were shot in March 1918.
How did the public react to the Romanov tercentenary celebrations in 1913?
Crowds cheered and waved banners, expressing their support for the Tsar during the celebrations.
What symbolic event occurred at Kazan Cathedral during the tercentenary?
A pair of doves flew from the rafters, which Nicholas interpreted as a sign of God’s blessing on his dynasty.
What did Nicholas do during the royal family’s tour of ‘old Muscovy’?
Nicholas led the way on a white horse, receiving adulation from confetti-throwing crowds.
What is pan-Slavism?
A belief that Slav races should be united and look to Russia as the supreme Slav country for leadership.
What are war credits?
The raising of taxes and loans to finance war.
What event in June 1914 led to Russia’s involvement in World War I?
The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a young Slav in Sarajevo.
Why did Russia identify with Serbia in 1914?
Because Serbia was a fellow Slav nation and Russia had ambitions to dominate the Balkan area.
What was the Tsar’s response to support Serbia in July 1914?
The Tsar mobilised his armies in support of Serbia.
Which countries declared war alongside Russia after Austria’s declaration?
Britain and France.
What was the initial public sentiment in Russia regarding the war?
The decision to go to war was popular initially and supported by anti-German sentiment.
What happened to the State Duma during the war?
The State Duma dissolved itself, declaring it did not want to burden the country with unnecessary politics in wartime.
What was the new name of St. Petersburg during the war?
Petrograd.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Tannenburg in August 1914?
The Russian army suffered a disastrous defeat, with 300,000 dead or wounded.
What were the conditions faced by Russian soldiers during the early years of the war?
Soldiers fought without suitable weaponry, warm clothing, and proper footwear.
What was the situation with Russian infantry rifles in 1914?
There were only two rifles for every three soldiers.
What was the artillery situation for Russian forces in 1915?
It was not unusual for Russian artillery to be limited to two to three shells per day.
What was the Brusilov offensive?
A Russian attempt to push westwards from the Ukraine and break through the Austro-Hungarian lines in June 1916.
What led to a fall in morale among Russian troops by the end of 1916?
Loss of experienced officers, heavy casualties, and a deteriorating economic and political situation within Russia.
How many desertions occurred by the end of 1916?
1.5 million desertions.
What were the years between 1914 marked by?
The years between 1914 were marked by disputes over the war effort.
What did the Tsarist government set up during the war?
The Tsarist government set up military zones within the country.
What was the response of the liberal zemstva to the government’s actions?
The liberal zemstva opposed the government’s insensitivity and believed civilians should play a major role in the war effort.
What organization did the zemstva establish to provide medical facilities?
The zemstva established a Union of Zemstva to provide medical facilities.
What was the Congress of Representatives of Industry and Business?
It was set up by factory owners and businessmen to help coordinate production.
What was Zemgor?
Zemgor was the All Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities formed in June 1915.
Who chaired Zemgor?
Zemgor was chaired by Prince Lvov.
How did Nicholas II respond to Zemgor?
Nicholas II shunned Zemgor, which became a focus for liberal discontent.
What did the ‘Progressive bloc’ demand in August 1915?
The ‘Progressive bloc’ demanded that the Tsar change his ministers and establish a government of public confidence.
What was the political reform opportunity presented to Nicholas II?
He had the chance to transfer responsibility for the war effort to a civilian government.
Who was Prince Lvov?
Prince Lvov was a wealthy aristocrat, lawyer, and leader of Zemgor in 1915.
What decision did the Tsar make in September 1915?
The Tsar decided to take the role of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army and Navy.
What was the impact of Nicholas II’s decision to become Commander-in-Chief?
It did not help his cause and made him appear more responsible for military disasters.
How did Nicholas II’s military experience affect the war effort?
He lacked military experience, which contributed to the varying disasters faced by his troops.
What was Rasputin’s role during this period?
Rasputin meddled in political appointments and policy decisions.
Who was Mikhail Rodzianko?
Mikhail Rodzianko (1859-1924) was a wealthy landowner and chairman of the Fourth Duma.
What political party did Mikhail Rodzianko join?
He joined the Octobrist party.
What role did Rodzianko play in World War I?
He supported Russia’s entry into the First World War and tried to serve the Tsar loyally.
What committee did Rodzianko head in 1917?
He was chosen as the head of the Duma’s Provisional Committee.
What significant event did Rodzianko’s committee set up?
The Provisional Government in 1917.
What happened to Rodzianko in November 1917?
He went into exile.
What rumors surrounded Rasputin?
Rumors abounded that Rasputin was having an affair with Alexandra.
What was Rasputin accused of in relation to the Russian government?
He was accused of sabotaging the Russian government.
How many ministers were changed between 1915-16?
There were six Prime Ministers, three Ministers of Defence, and one Interior Minister.
What did Mikhail Rodzianko warn Nicholas II about?
He warned Nicholas in vain of Rasputin’s unpopularity and the damage he was doing to the Tsarist cause.
Who murdered Rasputin and when?
Prince Yusupov murdered Rasputin in December 1916.
What did Nicholas II’s letters to Alexandra reveal?
They showed more anxiety about the children’s measles than about the public’s hunger.
What economic challenges did Russia face during the war?
The government increased taxes and raised huge loans, leading to massive inflation.
What was the impact of the war on food supplies?
Food supplies to towns fell due to a shortage of workers and hoarding by peasants.
What happened to the railway system during the war?
The railway system virtually collapsed under the strain of war.
What was a significant factor in the 1905 Revolution?
The discontent caused by long queues to buy bread in Petrograd.
