Key Russian People

Question 1

Lenin

Answer 1

The leader of the Bolshevik Party was formed in 1903. Lenin’s goal was a revolution and the subsequent creation of a Marxist society (using a shortcut to get from a capitalist society to a communist) and the spread of Marxism worldwide. Alongside the Bolsheviks Lenin seized power in October 1917 and ruled until his death in 1924. He demanded that Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, as he knew Kerensky’s downfall was due to his involvement with keeping Russia in ww1 for so long. In 1924 Lenin died and his funeral was used as an opportunity for Stalin to position himself where he can gain support and power within the party.

Question 2

Zhukov

Answer 2

One of Stalin’s high commands that began to trust in WWII and oversaw the Soviet’s biggest victories

Question 3

Tukhachevsky

Question 4

Kirov

Answer 4

A possible alternative to Stalin, as he opposed collectivization and doubted the economic policies and gained significant support as a possible leader. Assassinated in 1934 and Stalin used Kirov’s murder as a pretext for launching widespread terror across the country

Question 5

Litvinov/ Molotov

Answer 5

Molotov replaced Litvinov as commissar of foreign affairs (he was jewish)

Question 6

Bukharin/Rykov/Tomsky

Answer 6

Tomsky and Bukharin (he supported NEP) were right and friends with Stalin to get rid of K&Z
-all of them were targeted in the purges

Question 7

Kamenev/Zinoviev

Answer 7

Kamenev and Zinoviev were left wing, were buddies w/ Trotsky to get rid of Stalin

Question 8

Trotsky

Answer 8

Stalin’s main opponent.

Question 9

Kolchak

Answer 9

Civil War: leader of counter-revolutionary forces (White army) against the Bolsheviks.

Question 10

Kornilov

Answer 10

Was appointed commander in chief of Russian forces in august 1917 by Kerensky. Kornilov was dissatisfied with Kerensky’s conduct of the war, so he attempted a military coup in august 1917. He died fighting red forces in the civil war April 1918

Question 11

Alexander Kerensky

Answer 11

A lawyer and member of socialist revolutionary party. After February 1917 revolution, he joined provisional government and became prime minister in July, but was overthrown by the Bolsheviks in October 1917

Question 12

Prince Lvov

Answer 12

Was Russian Prime Minister for 3 months during 1917.

Question 13

Bukharin

Answer 13

A key Bolshevik member, sat on the left wing of the party and was a key leader of the party during Lenin’s death. Became close with Stalin after the fall of the troika along with Rykov. Executed in 1938 for accused counter-revolutionary activities.

Question 14

Ryvok

Answer 14

Chaired the People’s Commissar of Communications council but then was put on show trial and found ‘guilty’ of treason/counter revolutionary activities and executed in 1938 alongside Bukharin

Question 15

Zinoviev

Answer 15

In 1917 he was a key opponent of the Provisional Government. After Lenin’s death, he formed a troika with Kamenev and Stalin. Was executed with Kamenev in 1936.

Question 16

Stolypin

Answer 16

Tsar’s chief minister in 1906 introduced reforms of land ownership and wanted to modernise the economy. He became known for his brutal punishments towards the opponents of the tsarist regime, ‘Stolypin necktie’

Question 17

Rasputin

Answer 17

A Siberian ‘healer/holy man’, who worked his way up society in St Petersburg in the 1900. He was allegedly able to treat Alexi’s hemophilia and became associated with the royal family and Tsarina. Where he was rumored to have had an affair with the German when Tsar went to the Eastern front and they were given large influence of court’s and duma.

Question 18

Witte

Answer 18

Helped the development of steel, coal, textiles and education. Minister of Finance in 1893 promoting the building of the trans-Siberian railway and Russian industrialisation. Became chief minister in 1905 but resigned in 1906.

Question 19

Tsar Nicholas II

Answer 19

He became Tsar unwillingly at 26 years old because his father was killed in November 1894. The Tsar was easily coerced and bribed by those who spoke to him, as he was not trained or prepared to come to power at such an early age. He was married to German, Tsarina Alexandra and had a son called Alexi.

Question 20

Tsarina Alexander

Answer 20

Husband and cousin to Tsar Nicolas II, the German became extremely religious under the influence of Rasputin. She was accused of an affair while Tsar was on the eastern front when she had a significant influence on the duma and its members.