Febuary Revolution

Question 1

What is autocracy?

Answer 1

The absolute rule of one person, in Russia this meant the tsar.

The tsar had ultimate authority over the government.

Question 2

What does requisitioning refer to?

Answer 2

State authorised takeover of property or resources.

This was often used to support the war effort.

Question 3

What was the Union of Zemstvos?

Answer 3

A set of patriotic rural local councils.

These councils aimed to address local issues and support the war effort.

Question 4

What was the Union of Municipal Councils?

Answer 4

A set of patriotic urban local councils.

Similar to the Union of Zemstvos but focused on urban areas.

Question 5

What is Zemgor?

Answer 5

The joint body that devoted itself to helping Russia’s war effort.

Formed by the Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils.

Question 6

What was the Progressive Bloc?

Answer 6

A coalition of 236 of the 422 duma deputies formed in 1915 urging Nicholas II to make concessions.

This was a response to the growing discontent and desire for reform.

Question 7

How did popular discontent manifest in Russia before the revolution?

Answer 7

Widespread feelings of discontent from various sectors of society.

Contributed to the revolution’s causes.

Question 8

What does dual authority refer to?

Answer 8

The balance of power between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.

This term highlights the struggle for power during the revolutionary period.

Question 9

Who was the tsar of Russia in 1917?

Answer 9

Nicholas II.

He ascended to the throne in 1884.

Question 10

What was the extent of Imperial Russia’s territory in 1894?

Answer 10

Covered over 8 million miles.

This vast territory included diverse ethnic groups.

Question 11

What was the significance of the Fundamental Laws of 1832?

Answer 11

They expressed total obedience to the tsar.

This reinforced the autocratic nature of the government.

Question 12

What consequence did the 1905 Revolution have?

Answer 12

The October Manifesto, which created a legislative duma with no real power.

This was an attempt to quell unrest but did not satisfy demands for reform.

Question 13

What percentage of the Russian population were peasants?

Answer 13

80%.

This demographic was crucial to the social and economic landscape.

Question 14

Who was Sergei Witte?

Answer 14

Minister of Finance from 1892 to 1903 who tried to modernise Russia.

He initiated significant infrastructure projects like the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Question 15

What reforms did Peter Stolypin introduce?

Answer 15

Fenced fields and a Land Bank to provide peasants the opportunity to buy land.

Aimed at addressing the agrarian issues in Russia.

Question 16

What was the trend in urban worker unionisation from 1900 to 1914?

Answer 16

Increasingly unionised with sporadic strikes.

Union activity surged in the last years of peace before the war.

Question 17

What was Pravda?

Answer 17

A newspaper founded by the Bolsheviks in 1912.

It became a crucial tool for Bolshevik propaganda.

Question 18

What was the impact of the First World War on the Russian Army?

Answer 18

Exposed serious weaknesses and led to significant defeats.

Notable events include the defeat at the Battle of Tannenberg.

Question 19

What was the munitions crisis in mid-1915?

Answer 19

Russian artillery units were limited to three shells per day.

This highlighted the severe supply issues facing the army.

Question 20

What was the inflation rate in Russia by 1917?

Answer 20

Reached 200 percent.

The price of essential goods soared, greatly affecting the population.

Question 21

What happened to food prices between 1914 and 1916?

Answer 21

Average earnings doubled while the price of food and fuel quadrupled.

This created a significant cost of living crisis.

Question 22

What percentage of grain did Petrograd receive by January 1917?

Answer 22

Only 48 percent of its total grain requirements.

This contributed to widespread hunger and unrest.

Question 23

What was the change in Petrograd’s population from 1914 to 1917?

Answer 23

Rose from 2.1 million to 2.7 million.

The war economy attracted more workers to the cities.

Question 24

What challenges did Russia’s transport system face during the war?

Answer 24

Struggled to keep up with the demands of war.

This hampered logistical support for the military.

Question 25

What were the weaknesses and mistakes of Nicholas II that led to growing discontent?

Answer 25

Failure to cooperate with non-governmental organizations, ignoring the Progressive Bloc, and appointing and sacking ministers frequently.

These mistakes contributed to the collapse of support for his rule.

Question 26

What significant political formation emerged due to increasing opposition to Nicholas II?

Answer 26

The Progressive Bloc.

This bloc consisted of 236 out of 422 deputies who sought a ‘ministry of national confidence.’

Question 27

What was the state of the Russian railway system by 1916?

Answer 27

It virtually collapsed, with 575 stations unable to handle freight.

This collapse exacerbated food shortages in cities.

Question 28

What rumors circulated about the Tsarina and Grigori Rasputin?

Answer 28

The Tsarina was rumored to be a German agent, and both were said to be under Rasputin’s influence.

These rumors severely damaged the reputation of the Romanovs.

Question 29

How did the Duma’s support for Nicholas II change from 1914 to 1915?

Answer 29

The Duma initially supported the Tsar but demanded its own recall due to poor military performance within a year.

Nicholas allowed the Duma to reassemble in July 1915.

Question 30

What joint organization did the Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils form?

Answer 30

Zemgor.

This organization was devoted to helping the war wounded and showed a viable alternative to tsardom.

Question 31

What significant event occurred on 23rd February 1917?

Answer 31

International Women’s Day, leading female workers to join strikes.

This was a key moment in the build-up to the revolution.

Question 32

What was the response of the Petrograd garrison to Nicholas II’s orders during the unrest?

Answer 32

The garrison disobeyed his orders and by 26 February, 150,000 had deserted.

This indicated a significant loss of support for the Tsar.

Question 33

What did Rodzianko warn Nicholas II about on 14th February 1917?

Answer 33

He warned of ‘very serious outbreaks of unrest’ imminent.

This warning was ignored by the Tsar.

Question 34

What happened on 2nd March 1917 regarding Nicholas II’s position?

Answer 34

He signed a decree of abdication.

His brother refused the throne, leading to the formation of the Provisional Government.

Question 35

What was the significance of the Petrograd Soviet formed on 27th February 1917?

Answer 35

It provided protection for soldiers, sailors, and workers, marking the start of ‘dual authority’.

This was a key development in the Russian Revolution.

Question 36

Fill in the blank: By the end of 1916, inflation continued, food shortages also, and the value of wages for industrial workers was cut by _______.

Answer 36

half.

This economic hardship contributed to widespread unrest.

Question 37

True or False: Nicholas II believed the Progressive Bloc had the right to play a role in government.

Answer 37

False.

He viewed them as enemies rather than allies.

Question 38

What was the outcome of Nicholas II’s attempt to return to Petrograd on 28th February 1917?

Answer 38

His train was intercepted by mutinous troops, preventing him from reaching Petrograd.

This signified the collapse of his authority.

Question 39

What did the government announce in February 1917 that led to further strikes?

Answer 39

Bread would be rationed.

This announcement was a direct response to food shortages.