Febuary Revolution Flashcards
What is autocracy?
The absolute rule of one person, in Russia this meant the tsar.
The tsar had ultimate authority over the government.
What does requisitioning refer to?
State authorised takeover of property or resources.
This was often used to support the war effort.
What was the Union of Zemstvos?
A set of patriotic rural local councils.
These councils aimed to address local issues and support the war effort.
What was the Union of Municipal Councils?
A set of patriotic urban local councils.
Similar to the Union of Zemstvos but focused on urban areas.
What is Zemgor?
The joint body that devoted itself to helping Russia’s war effort.
Formed by the Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils.
What was the Progressive Bloc?
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.
How did popular discontent manifest in Russia before the revolution?
Widespread feelings of discontent from various sectors of society.
Contributed to the revolution’s causes.
What does dual authority refer to?
The balance of power between the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet.
This term highlights the struggle for power during the revolutionary period.
Who was the tsar of Russia in 1917?
Nicholas II.
He ascended to the throne in 1884.
What was the extent of Imperial Russia’s territory in 1894?
Covered over 8 million miles.
This vast territory included diverse ethnic groups.
What was the significance of the Fundamental Laws of 1832?
They expressed total obedience to the tsar.
This reinforced the autocratic nature of the government.
What consequence did the 1905 Revolution have?
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.
What percentage of the Russian population were peasants?
80%.
This demographic was crucial to the social and economic landscape.
Who was Sergei Witte?
Minister of Finance from 1892 to 1903 who tried to modernise Russia.
He initiated significant infrastructure projects like the Trans-Siberian Railway.
What reforms did Peter Stolypin introduce?
Fenced fields and a Land Bank to provide peasants the opportunity to buy land.
Aimed at addressing the agrarian issues in Russia.
What was the trend in urban worker unionisation from 1900 to 1914?
Increasingly unionised with sporadic strikes.
Union activity surged in the last years of peace before the war.
What was Pravda?
A newspaper founded by the Bolsheviks in 1912.
It became a crucial tool for Bolshevik propaganda.
What was the impact of the First World War on the Russian Army?
Exposed serious weaknesses and led to significant defeats.
Notable events include the defeat at the Battle of Tannenberg.
What was the munitions crisis in mid-1915?
Russian artillery units were limited to three shells per day.
This highlighted the severe supply issues facing the army.
What was the inflation rate in Russia by 1917?
Reached 200 percent.
The price of essential goods soared, greatly affecting the population.
What happened to food prices between 1914 and 1916?
Average earnings doubled while the price of food and fuel quadrupled.
This created a significant cost of living crisis.
What percentage of grain did Petrograd receive by January 1917?
Only 48 percent of its total grain requirements.
This contributed to widespread hunger and unrest.
What was the change in Petrograd’s population from 1914 to 1917?
Rose from 2.1 million to 2.7 million.
The war economy attracted more workers to the cities.
What challenges did Russia’s transport system face during the war?
Struggled to keep up with the demands of war.
This hampered logistical support for the military.
What were the weaknesses and mistakes of Nicholas II that led to growing discontent?
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.
What significant political formation emerged due to increasing opposition to Nicholas II?
The Progressive Bloc.
This bloc consisted of 236 out of 422 deputies who sought a ‘ministry of national confidence.’
What was the state of the Russian railway system by 1916?
It virtually collapsed, with 575 stations unable to handle freight.
This collapse exacerbated food shortages in cities.
What rumors circulated about the Tsarina and Grigori Rasputin?
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.
How did the Duma’s support for Nicholas II change from 1914 to 1915?
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.
What joint organization did the Union of Zemstvos and the Union of Municipal Councils form?
Zemgor.
This organization was devoted to helping the war wounded and showed a viable alternative to tsardom.
What significant event occurred on 23rd February 1917?
International Women’s Day, leading female workers to join strikes.
This was a key moment in the build-up to the revolution.
What was the response of the Petrograd garrison to Nicholas II’s orders during the unrest?
The garrison disobeyed his orders and by 26 February, 150,000 had deserted.
This indicated a significant loss of support for the Tsar.
What did Rodzianko warn Nicholas II about on 14th February 1917?
He warned of ‘very serious outbreaks of unrest’ imminent.
This warning was ignored by the Tsar.
What happened on 2nd March 1917 regarding Nicholas II’s position?
He signed a decree of abdication.
His brother refused the throne, leading to the formation of the Provisional Government.
What was the significance of the Petrograd Soviet formed on 27th February 1917?
It provided protection for soldiers, sailors, and workers, marking the start of ‘dual authority’.
This was a key development in the Russian Revolution.
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 _______.
half.
This economic hardship contributed to widespread unrest.
True or False: Nicholas II believed the Progressive Bloc had the right to play a role in government.
False.
He viewed them as enemies rather than allies.
What was the outcome of Nicholas II’s attempt to return to Petrograd on 28th February 1917?
His train was intercepted by mutinous troops, preventing him from reaching Petrograd.
This signified the collapse of his authority.
What did the government announce in February 1917 that led to further strikes?
Bread would be rationed.
This announcement was a direct response to food shortages.
