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.