Introduction to Russia Flashcards
What were some of the main problems in Russia by 1917?
Huge areas- hard to communicate with the whole area
Roads were muddy and hard to transverse.
60% couldn’t speak Russia.
Lots of ethnic groups.
Huge rich/poor divide.
What was the Government of Russia like by 1917?
Romanov dynasty- autocrats. No parliament or political parties.
What did the Tsar use to oppress the people of Russia?
Secret police- Okhrana.
What was the Duma?
An elected Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions.
What were the Cassaks?
Loyal supporters of the Tsar, best cavalry in the Russian army. Could be brutal and ruthless.
What was Tsar Nicholas ll like?
Devoted to his family.
Believed wholeheartedly in autocracy.
Believed in Russification.
Why were Russians angry with the Tsar over the Russio-Japanese war?
1904, Tsar lost the war against Japan which left the Russian people feeling humiliated.
What happened during Bloody Sunday?
1905, peaceful demonstration of workers were attacked by the Cossacks as a way of asserting the Tsar’s authority.
Why were the Middle-class unhappy by 1917?
They felt that their economic gains were not being matched by political advancements.
What did the Liberals want?
Favoured moderate reform and constitutional monarchy.
Who were the Social Revolutionaries?
Evolved from groups that had tried to organise and improve the position of the peasantry. Tried to attract workers but suffered from internal divisions. Had extreme terrorist elements.
Who were the Social Democrats?
Based on the theories of Karl Marx. Lead mainly by educated intellectuals. Based its support on the rapidly expanding industrial working class.
Why were many people annoyed with the Tsar?
Annoyed about the influence of Rasputin and the Tsarina.
What were some of the economic problems for Russia by 1917?
Taxes were increased because of WWl.
Inflation meant money was basically worthless.
Cost of living rose 300%
Rations were introduced which meant national hunger and near famine.
Why did Nicholas get all of the blame for the failure of WWI?
He replaced his Uncle as Commander in Chief which increased the amount of blame on him.
How many men lost their lives in the first year of war?
4 million men.
What was the Duma for Russia?
Appeared to be a new hope for Russia to become more democratic but in reality Nich would dismiss the Duma and pass his own emergency laws?
How did Russians feel about WWI at the start?
Many Russians felt patriotic and supported it.
Many civilians fell to their knees and sang ‘God bless the Tsar’.
Why did Inflation occur?
Increased taxes and heavy borrowing from abroad.
Earnings doubled but the price of food quadrupled.
Why was there a shortage of food in Russia by 1917?
Army had first claim to food.
Peasants hoarded stock instead of selling them because inflation made trading unprofitable.
Bad transport meant that food would rot in railways trucks.
Why were Rasputin and Tsarina Alexandria unpopular?
Russians didn’t like that a ‘German woman’ and ‘debauched monk’ ran the country.
Why did people dislike the Tsarina?
Because of WWI and the fight against Germany many saw her as a German spy. In reality, she tried hard to accumulate into Russian culture.
Why did Alexandra and Rasputin effectively become the government?
Nicholas was away at military headquarters.
What did Russia rely on to to keep their economy stable?
Relied to agricultural output.
