Key Opponents of the Tsar (recap)

Question 1

When did the SR’s start?

Answer 1

1901

Question 2

What was the ideology of Social Revolutionaries?

Answer 2

• Agrarian socialists
• Believed revolution would be driven by its peasantry
• Democratic, socialist state

Question 3

What were the methods of SR’s?

Answer 3

Terror (assassinations)

Question 4

What was the role of SR’s?

Answer 4

• involved in 1905 revolution
• supported 1917 revolution
• disagreed partly with Bolsheviks

Question 5

What does RSDLP stand for?

Answer 5

Russia Social Democratic Labour Party

Question 6

When did RSDLP start and split?

Answer 6

1898 - 1903

Question 7

What was the ideology of RSDLP?

Answer 7

• Marxist
• Overthrow of capitalism
• Proletarian revolution
• Socialist society

Question 8

What does Marxist mean in simple terms?

Answer 8

Marxists are particularly concerned with the struggles of lower and middle class workers, with the conflict between social classes, and with economic inequality.

Question 9

What is a proletarian revolution?

Answer 9

A proletarian revolution or proletariat revolution is a social revolution in which the working class attempts to overthrow the bourgeoisie.

Question 10

What does capitalism mean in simple terms?

Answer 10

An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Question 11

Elaborate on the Bolsheviks

Answer 11

• Lenin
• Were minority at first
• Proletariat more successful in revolution (belief)

Question 12

What does proletariat mean in simple terms?

Answer 12

Working-class people regarded collectively (often used with reference to Marxism).

Question 13

Elaborate on the Mensheviks?

Answer 13

• Martov
• Majority at first
• Liberals and intellectuals more successful in revolution (belief)

Question 14

What was the role of Bolsheviks and Mensheviks?

Answer 14

• major role in 1905 and 1917 revolution
• Bolsheviks seized power in 1917 October revolution, overthrowing Provisional Government and establishing Soviet Rule

Question 15

When did the Octobrists start?

Answer 15

1905

Question 16

What was the Octobrists’ ideology?

Answer 16

• moderate liberals
• supported October Manifesto (1905)
• wanted to support Tsarist regime while introducing limited constitutional reforms (especially land reforms)

Question 17

What was the Octobrists’ goal?

Answer 17

• political stability
• economic modernization

Question 18

What was the Octobrists’ role?

Answer 18

• active in Duma
• cooperate with the government

Question 19

When did the Kadets (constitutional democrats) start?

Answer 19

1905

Question 20

What was the ideology of Kadets (constitutional democrats)?

Answer 20

• liberal democrats
• wanted a constitutional monarchy, civil liberties, political rights
• social reforms, protection of minorities

Question 21

What were the goals of Kadets (constitutional democrats)?

Answer 21

• limit Tsar’s authority
• democratic and modernized Russia under rule of LAW

Question 22

What was the role of Kadets (constitutional democrats)?

Answer 22

• major liberal parties in Duma
• key role in 1905 revolution and creation of October Manifesto
• more radical than Octobrists, less than Socialist parties
• before 1917 revolution, most people believed in this ideology but after they became part of the Provisional Government. Russians needed something more radical and they turned to Bolsheviks