Dissent And Revolution 1917 Flashcards
How big is Russia? 4 facts
Largest country in the world which occupies 1/6 of the worlds surface making it 91 times larger than Great Britain, 6000 miles long from the Baltic to the Pacific, 3000 miles wide from the Arctic to Persian coast, not even European because most of 19th century Russia lay in Asia
What is the population of Russia and what are the nationalities?
60 million people in 1855 which doubled in 1897, over 200 different nationalities speaking 100 different languages (only half the population was ethnic Russian)
What natural resources were there in Russia?
Blessed with iron ore and coal and oil, only 10% (black earth regions of the south and north) are suitable for farming the rest has a climate ranging from Arctic tunda go scorched desert
What were communications like in Russia?
Roads were mud tracks, rivers often frozen, none of her three great sea ports (Archangel, St Petersburg, Azov)’ were ice free all year, only 1600km of railway whereas Britain had 15,000
How was the Tsar described in the Fundamental Laws if 1832?
‘An autocratic and unlimited monarch’ so he ruled as sole and supreme leader supposedly appointed by God
How was Russia divided to help the Tsar rule?
Russia was divided into 50 provinces each subdivided into 20 districts. At the centre (St Petersburg) sat the senate which supervised the Imperial Council and the Committee of Ministers, the Third Section was the secret police (Okhrana) which turned Russia into a police state
What was the Imperial Council?
Weak parliament which could comment on but not initiate legislation
What was the Committee of Ministers?
A cabinet whose members could be fired and hired at will by the Tsar
What was the consequence of the size and instability of Russia?
An autocratic military state
Identify 6 problems caused by autocracy
Lack of economic development, lack of party politics, unfair legislation, lack of democracy (people can’t vote), high chance of opposition, police states cause widespread fear and oppression
In what ways did the Russian Orthodox Church strengthen autocracy in Russia? 5 points
Orthodox Church not independent of state (controlled by the Holy Synod and headed by a government minister), twice a year the church declared a curse on those who did not acknowledge that Tsars were divinely appointed, Tsar has absolute power over all appointments, promotes blind obedience, 90 or so religious holidays a year
What percentage of the population were serfs?
50
What was the role of serfs? 4 points
Given a plot by their landowner in return for goods or services, some paid their owners each year with money or produce (these people were called Obrok), others gave labour services to the Lord 30-40 days a year (Barschina), they could be married/bought/sold by their masters
What was the average life expectancy of serfs?
35, only 50% of children survived beyond the age of 5
What was the Mir?
Village commune which organised farming activity and had its own assembly -peasants could not leave the estate without its written permission
What was the relationship between the Army and Serf system? 4 points
Army was 1.4 million strong in 1855, officers were from the nobility, but the ranks were conscripted from the serfs for 15 years compulsory service (wives declared widows and allowed to remarry), given freedom when service completed but not a pension or land
What problems faced the peasantry?
Rapidly growing population, low agricultural productivity and increasing sub division of land meant peasants were forced to seek employment in towns and cities causing overcrowding, education non existent, the entire family lived in a small hut about 12 feet square, couldn’t afford to feed/clothe themselves or heat their homes
How long was the average working day for workers?
Eleven and a half hours but manufacturers received permission to allow overtime so the average day increased to fourteen or fifteen hours but people agreed to work overtime because they are paid by the piece and the rate is low (wages were reduced and bonuses taken away)
Why was it a problem for workers when trade unions were banned?
It takes away the right to strike which causes workers to feel oppressed and they won’t be listened to
Give 2 facts about the nobility
1 million of them, top 1000 were called the Grand Seigneurs, not as powerful as imagined as estates were divided on death between male heirs
Give 4 facts about the middle class
Small due to backwardness of economy, only 1% of population in school by 1855, only 3500 in university, illiteracy at 95%
What was the proletariat?
Industrial working class, 1% of population lives in cities in 1855, forced off land due to population growth
Identify 6 problems concerning workers before 1917
1912 saw 2032 strikes, January to June 1914 there were 3000 strikes, Lena Goldfield Strike 1912 saw 270 dead, police infiltrated revolutionary groups very successfully but few workers turned informers, trade unions grew but were constantly attacked by the regime, urban housing was squalid and the worst was in Petrograd
Identify 7 economic problems before 1917
Development on industry was dependent on French loans, only 10% of Russia’s European land consolidated by 1916, there was under investment in railways 1905-14, USA and Germany both had higher growth rates 1905-14 and they were mature economies, wages in Russia were low by European standards but housing costs were high, landowners unsure about supporting the Tsar by 1917 (conscription of 14 million peasants undermined their economic position), Tsar blocked Stolypins plans for reforms in education and factory reform
Identify 4 problems with agriculture before 1917
Applications to leave commune fell after 1909, Stolypins land reforms hindered by Tsar being reactionary, Russian agriculture remained ‘poised precariously between painstakingly achieving success and occasional utter ruin’ during the period, in Ukraine farm sizes remained small at 15 acres
Identify 13 problems with government before 1917
Finns and Poles wanted separation from Russia, Ukrainians and Armenians could have been won over but were not, First Duma dissolved for requesting power to legislate, formation of Progressive Bloc (powerful individuals wanting reforms) in Duma, government was well equipped to deal with insurrection but not long struggle, industrialists dissatisfied with government through the court and Tsar by 1914, ministerial office often based on family connections or sycophancy (people sucking up to those in power), government remained hostile towards reform which undermined the work of Stolypin and Witte, Nicholas IIs support by 1914 was very narrow, his priority was preservation of loyalty to self not good government, Rasputins influence caused deep concern, fewer police than U.K. per head of population, no cabinet system of government
Who was Stolypin?
He was made Minister of the Interior in April 1906 after his successful suppression of the revolutionaries in Saratov. Three months later he was appointed by Tsar Nicholas II as prime minister
What did Stolypin attempt to provide?
A balance between the introduction of much needed reforms and suppression of the radicals
What was the main problem for peasantry in the early 20th century in Russia?
Redemption payments (heavy mortgage payments), peasants feared the lands of people who fell behind on these payments would be seized . When the government came to understand these fears they tried to ‘buy off’ the peasantry
How did the Tsar and Stolypin try to solve the problem of redemption payments?
By the manifesto of 3rd November 1905 the levying on the peasantry of redemption payments for allotment lands was abolished from 1st January 1907. Peasants had the right to freely leave the Land Commune (Mir) and to acquire as individual householders the rights of personal ownership of holdings from the Land Communes allocation
Summarise Stolypins use of repression in 5 points
Created a new court system which made it easier for the arrest and conviction of political revolutionaries, over 2500 people executed between 1906-1911, hangman’s noose known as Stolypins necktie, revolutionary leaders hanged or exiled, many fled overseas such as Trotsky and Lenin
How did Stolypin create a new class of prosperous peasants (kulaks)?
He hoped to break the power of the land commune, rural areas for more freedom in their selection of Zemstvo (local council) representatives, Land Bank established funds for the independent peasant to buy his own land
Identify 8 positive aspects of Stolypins reforms
Kulaks in favour, by 1916 24% of European Russia households owned their own land and many more in the process of doing so, over 1.5 million settled in Siberia 1907-9 (a sizeable increase in the 4.5 million already there), increase in agricultural production and a start to the modernisation of agricultural methods, allowed consolidation of ex communal land, allowed peasants to sell land to finance migration to other parts of the country, number of primary schools doubled due to educational reforms 1905-1914, living standards improved and more peasants moved from countryside to towns
Identify 7 negative aspects of Stolypins reforms
Agrarian reform of 1906 did not please the less able peasants because they poorly managed their land and were often forced to give it up as years went by, peasants had very few rights as they were pathetically represented in the Duma and were subject to severe repression, massive tracts of land were still owned by the 130,000 or so land owners, only about 10% of peasants opted to set up independent farms, by 1914 strip farming was still widespread, not enough kulaks to act as a barrier to discontent, modernisation process was too slow so methods in the countryside remained backward and production of food could not match population growth
When and where was Stolypin assassinated?
On September 18th 1911 in a period of growing unrest. During the second intermission of an orchestra at the Kiev Opera House where he was seated in the front row (Tsars box overlooked the draw and orchestra) he stood up with his back to the stage and a young man Bogrov walked solemnly down the aisle next to Stolypin and pulled out a Browning revolver from his cape and fired two shots at the prime minister, Bogrov was kicked as two guards dragged him up the aisle then into a small room off the lobby where he was beaten unconscious before being taken to the police station to await a trial where he was convicted and hanged, Stolypin died after 5 days and was honoured by the Tsar
Give 5 points on Stolypins background
Born in Dresden, Saxony, on 14th April 1862. Son of a large Russian landowner. He joined the ministry of state domains in 1885. Four years later appointed marshal of Kovno province. This was followed by the governorships of Godno (1902-1903) and Saratov (1903-1906)
What new electoral law did Stolypin pass in 1907?
One which by passed the 1906 constitution and assured a right wing majority in the Duma
When was the first Duma?
April-June 1906
What happened with the first Duma?
In early 1906 it successfully negotiated a substantial loan from France which lessened the likelihood of Dumas being able to exercise a financial hold over the government. Tsars promulgation of the Fundamental maws was timed to coincide with the opening of the Duma: thus declared that ‘Supreme Autocratic Power’ belonged to the Tsar and that the Duma would be bi-cameral (one chamber would be an elected lower house and the other a state council with members appointed mainly by the Tsar), the existence of a second chamber with the right of veto deprived the elected Duma of any real power
When was the second Duma?
June 1907
What was the Vyborg appeal? 8 points
Reformist parties demanded that the rights and powers of the Duma be increased, after two months of bitter wrangling Nicholas II ordered the Duma to be dissolved. 200 Kadet and Labourist deputies reassembled at Vyborg in Finland where they urged people to refuse to pay taxes and disobey conscription orders, the response from Russian people was scattered violence. The Tsar appointed Stolypin as chief minister, the Vyborg group of deputies were arrested and debarred from re election to the Duma. This led to Stolypins policy of repression -martial law was proclaimed and a network of military courts
What happened with the second Duma? 5 points
Kadets lost half of their seats after the Vyborg appeal which were filled by SDs and SRs who returned 80 deputies between them, right wing parties also increased their numbers which led to disagreement within the Duma as well as between it and the government, Stolypin was willing to work with the Duma in introducing necessary reforms but his land programme was strenuously opposed, Duma directed a strong attack on the way the imperial army was organised and deployed, SD and SR deputies were accused of engaging in subversion so Nicholas ordered that the assembly be dissolved
When was the third Duma?
November 1907-June 1912
What happened with the third Duma? 4 points
This Duma was more cooperative which enabled Stolypin to pursue his land reforms. It exercised its right to question ministers and discuss state finances. It also used its committee system to make important proposals for modernising the armed services, schools were set up for poor children as well as national insurance for industrial workers
Why was the Duma not dispensed before the third and fourth were created? 2 reasons
Duma was not dispensed for two reasons: Tsar was keen to project an image of Russia as a democratic nation (he was advised by foreign ministers who were in trade talks with France and Britain), the Duma had been rendered docile by the governments doctoring of the electoral system (Stolypin introduced new laws that restricted the vote to the propertied classes and this made the third and fourth Dumas dominated by the right wing parties)
When was the fourth Duma?
November 1912- August 1914
Overall were the Dumas successful?
Historians always emphasise the progressive work of the Duma in providing state welfare and suggest that it was only the blindness of the Tsarist government that prevented the Dumas making a greater contribution to the development of Russia
How did tensions grow in Russia 1911-1914?
Stolypin died 1911. 1911-14 the regimes terror tactics were part cause part effect of a dramatic increase in public disorder which gradually returned to the proportions of 1905. The number of strikes classified as ‘political’ by the ministry of trade and industry rose from 24 in 1911 to 2401 in 1914
Explain the Lena Goldfields massacre in 4 points
Demands from miners in the Lena goldfields in Siberia for better pay and conditions were resisted by employers who appealed to the police to arrest the strike leaders as criminals. When the police moved into Lena the strikers closed ranks, the troops fired and killed/injured a large number of miners, the Okhrana appeared to have acted as agents provocateurs in order to identify the organisers of the strike
Explain anger among the moderates in 1913
The Octobrist leader Alexander Guchkov told his party conference that their attempts to achieve a ‘peaceful, painless transition from the old condemned system into a new order’ had failed. He warned that the blindness of the Tsars government was daily driving the Russian people closer to revolution
What did all important sections of the population think of the Tsar by 1916?
An inept political and military leader who was incapable of providing the population with the inspiration they needed. He was resistant to change (Stolypin and Witte’s reforms). It is significant that the first moves in the February revolution were not made by the revolutionary parties
When and why was the Duma recalled?
In August 1914, the duma showed its total support for the Tsar by voting for its suspension for the duration of the war but within a year Russia’s poor military showing led to the Duma demanding its own recall. Nicholas II, under pressure, allowed the Duma to reassemble in July 1915
Identify one major political mistake of the Tsar and its ministers
Their refusal to cooperate fully with the non governmental organisations such as the Union of Zemstvos and the union of Muncipal councils which at the beginning of the war had been wholly willing to work with the government in the national war effort. These elected bodies formed a joint organisation Zemgor. The success of this organisation highlighted the governments failures and hinted that there might be a workable alternative to Tsardom
How did Nicholas II destroy the last opportunity he would have of retaining the support of politically regressive parties?
Duma appealed to him to replace his incompetent cabinet with ‘a ministry of national confidence’ whose members would be drawn from the Duma but he rejected this
Why did the progressive bloc form and who was it made up of?
236 of 422 Duma deputies formed this which was composed of Kadets, Octobrists, Nationalists and the Party of Progressive Industrialists because they were denied a direct voice in national policy. The SRs did not formally join the bloc but voted in all Duma resolutions that criticised the governments handling of the war, initially the bloc did not challenge Tsar authority but tried to persuade him to make concessions but he did not listen
Identify 10 key events in Nicholas II life
Born into house of Romanov in 1868, became Tsar on the death of his father Alexander III and married Princess Alexandra (German granddaughter of Queen Victoria) in 1894, granted the October constitution in 1905, led celebrations of 300 years Romanov rule in 1913, signed the general mobilisation order that led to Russia’s entry into WW1 in 1914, took over personal command of Russian armed forces in 1915, tried to return to Petrograd in 1917 but was blocked by rebellious soldiers and workers, abdicated in the same year on behalf of the Romanov dynasty, murdered with his family in Ekaterinburg on Lenin’s orders in 1918
What kind of person was Nicholas II?
Far from being as unintelligent as his critics asserted, his lack of imagination prevented him grasping the nature of events in which he was involved. When he tried to be strong he appeared obdurate
How many ministers were there 1915-16?
Four prime ministers, three foreign secretaries, three ministers of defence, six interior ministers
Who was Rasputin?
A self ordained holy man from the Russian steppes (alive 1869-1916) who was notorious for his sexual depravity meaning certain women threw themselves at him (including many fashionable ladies in st Petersburg even wives of courtiers)
What were Rasputins relations with officials and the Tsar like?
Bitterly hated at the imperial court to which he had been officially invited, as early as 1907 he won himself a personal introduction to the Tsar and his wife
Why was Rasputin invited to court by Empress Alexandra?
She was desperate to cure her son Alexei of haemophilia, Rasputin realised the pushing and prodding he was subjected to when with doctors made him more feverish so he stroked his head and arm gently and spoke calmly to him so as to relax him which lessened his pain and lowered his fever. Alexandra was deeply religious and believed this was gods work so Rasputin became her confidant (someone to confide intimate secrets to)
How did Alexandra try to make Russia her adopted country?
Converted to the Orthodox Church, endeavoured to learn and apply Russian customs and conventions. This accounted for very little after 1914 when her enemies portrayed her as a German agent
When and how was Rasputin killed?
In December 1916 a group of aristocratic conspirators poisoned him with arsenic, shot him at point blank range, battered his head with a steel bar and threw him whilst alive and trussed in a heavy curtain into the river Neva
Identify 4 impacts on Russian government finance of WW1
Export of grain stopped, decline in foreign trade as a result of WW1 (Germany accounted for half of the total), fall in revenues and spiralling expenditure, Nicholas II contributed to a 30% drop in its revenues
Identify 3 ways in which Nicholas II contributed to the decline in revenues
Made the decision to ban production and sale of alcohol (mainly vodka but not French wine as middle class and Tsar drank this) in an effort to control discipline of the army and workers, instead Russians drank methylated spirits/varnishes/Eau-de-Cologne/Black market moonshine (Samogon) and a spirit called Khanja which was mass and sold by Chinese workers and killed hundreds, despite advice of Duma and ministry of finance which had relied on alcohol sales to part fund the war the ban was made permanent
What was the gold standard?
Monetary system where a country’s currency/paper money has a value directly linked to gold, Russia had the largest gold reserves of any European country
What did the ministry of finance do in 1916?
Developed alternative sources of revenue such as income and profit tax and printing money. Government spending increased from 4 million in 1924 to 30 million in 1917 and the gold standard was abandoned which led to rapid hyperinflation. Money supply grew by 336% but prices grew by 398% as producers increased their prices to take into account the drop in the value of money
Identify 8 impacts of hyperinflation
Prices of Rye went up 47%, prices of matches up 500%, wages went up 100% but prices of good went up on average by 300%, increasing incidents of disease due to malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions (cold and damp due to lack of coal and wood), 30,000 workers strike in Moscow in 1917, 145,000 strike in Petrograd
How much were the wages of an electrician in 1916 in comparison with the rent for a corner of a room?
Electrician wages increased from 2.00-3.00 roubles pre war to 5.00-6.00 in 1916 but rent for a corner of a room raised from 2.00-3.00 monthly to 8.00-12.00 in 1916
Identify 9 impacts on the Russian army of WW1
14.6 million in army by end of 1916, 5.5 million casualties, 2.1 million prisoners of war, 3.4 million sick/wounded, army made up of insufficiently trained peasants led by inexperienced officers drawn by ranks of intelligentsia (middle class), 1914 infantry only had two rifles for every 3 soldiers, 1915 Russian artillery limited to 2 or 3 shells every day, soldiers relied on weapons of fallen soldiers, 1.5 million desertions by end f 1916
What was the Dardanelles Strait and what was the impact of its closure?
Narrow natural strait and international waterway in northwestern turkey that forms part of the continental boundary between Europe and Asia. When it closed Russian industry and raw materials could not meet army’s demand for weapons/boots/clothing/munitions
When was the battle of Tannenburg and what happened?
1914 and lasted three days, 10,000 of 150,000 Russian soldiers escaped, general Samsonov committed suicide, Germans lost 20,000 men but took over 92,000 Russian prisoners
What happened when General Alexander Brusilov (commander of Russian army in South West) led an offensive against the Austria Hungarian army and when was this?
June 1916, his troops advanced 80km and captured 200,000 prisoners in the first two weeks but german army reinforcements gradually pushed the Russians back. Russian army lost a million men by the time the offensive was called to a halt in 1916 autumn
When and what was the battle of the Masurian lakes?
A Germán offensive in the eastern front during the early stages of WW1 which pushed the Russian first army back across its entire front eventually ejecting it from Germany. 100,000-125,000 killed/wounded/missing including 30,000-45,000 prisoners
How were the early stages of war dark days for Lenin’s Bolsheviks?
They were vilified as traitors and German agents for their opposition to the war so were forced to flee or go into hiding. Lenin who was already in exile in Poland made his way with Austrian hell into neutral Switzerland
