Introduction to Russia

Question 1

What were some of the main problems in Russia by 1917?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What was the Government of Russia like by 1917?

Answer 2

Romanov dynasty- autocrats. No parliament or political parties.

Question 3

What did the Tsar use to oppress the people of Russia?

Answer 3

Secret police- Okhrana.

Question 4

What was the Duma?

Answer 4

An elected Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions.

Question 5

What were the Cassaks?

Answer 5

Loyal supporters of the Tsar, best cavalry in the Russian army. Could be brutal and ruthless.

Question 6

What was Tsar Nicholas ll like?

Answer 6

Devoted to his family.
Believed wholeheartedly in autocracy.
Believed in Russification.

Question 7

Why were Russians angry with the Tsar over the Russio-Japanese war?

Answer 7

1904, Tsar lost the war against Japan which left the Russian people feeling humiliated.

Question 8

What happened during Bloody Sunday?

Answer 8

1905, peaceful demonstration of workers were attacked by the Cossacks as a way of asserting the Tsar’s authority.

Question 9

Why were the Middle-class unhappy by 1917?

Answer 9

They felt that their economic gains were not being matched by political advancements.

Question 10

What did the Liberals want?

Answer 10

Favoured moderate reform and constitutional monarchy.

Question 11

Who were the Social Revolutionaries?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Who were the Social Democrats?

Answer 12

Based on the theories of Karl Marx. Lead mainly by educated intellectuals. Based its support on the rapidly expanding industrial working class.

Question 13

Why were many people annoyed with the Tsar?

Answer 13

Annoyed about the influence of Rasputin and the Tsarina.

Question 14

What were some of the economic problems for Russia by 1917?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Why did Nicholas get all of the blame for the failure of WWI?

Answer 15

He replaced his Uncle as Commander in Chief which increased the amount of blame on him.

Question 16

How many men lost their lives in the first year of war?

Answer 16

4 million men.

Question 17

What was the Duma for Russia?

Answer 17

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?

Question 18

How did Russians feel about WWI at the start?

Answer 18

Many Russians felt patriotic and supported it.
Many civilians fell to their knees and sang ‘God bless the Tsar’.

Question 19

Why did Inflation occur?

Answer 19

Increased taxes and heavy borrowing from abroad.
Earnings doubled but the price of food quadrupled.

Question 20

Why was there a shortage of food in Russia by 1917?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Why were Rasputin and Tsarina Alexandria unpopular?

Answer 21

Russians didn’t like that a ‘German woman’ and ‘debauched monk’ ran the country.

Question 22

Why did people dislike the Tsarina?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Why did Alexandra and Rasputin effectively become the government?

Answer 23

Nicholas was away at military headquarters.

Question 24

What did Russia rely on to to keep their economy stable?

Answer 24

Relied to agricultural output.

Question 25

Who were the Social Revolutionaries (SRs)?

Answer 25

Coalition on populist groups and soon became the largest political organisation.
Most popular among the Russian peasants.

Question 26

What were some of the weaknesses of the SRs?

Answer 26

Size meant that it was hard to manage. Internal divisions meant lots of bickering and factions.