Midterm

Question 1

Alexander II

Answer 1

Emperor of Russia 1855-1881
Ended Serfdom
Declared/Started the Great Reforms

Question 2

Great Reforms

Answer 2

Emancipation of Serfs 1861
Judicial Reforms 1864
Local Government Reforms 1864
Military Reforms 1874
Education Reforms
Financial Reforms
Censorship Eased

Question 3

Nicholas II

Answer 3

Emperor of Russia 1894-1917
Russian Revolution 1905
February Revolution 1917
Autocratic rule & inability to address the political and social issues

Question 4

Bloody Sunday

Answer 4

January 22, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia
Father Georgy Gapon led unarmed civilians in a march to the Winter Palace to petition for better working conditions, limits on state officials’ powers and the introduction of a national parliament, met with violence inflicted by imperial guards (opened fire)
Hundreds of deaths and injuries
“Beginning” of Russian Revolution

Question 5

October Manifesto

Answer 5

Creation of the Duma - legislative body in Russia created to pass laws, oversee government, make key appointments, and declare amnesties

Concessions to the People: It granted civil liberties like freedom of speech, assembly, and association, giving Russians citizens freedom they hadn’t had prior

Shift in Power Dynamics: Although limited, it marked a shift in power from absolute autocracy to a more parliamentary system

Attempt to Stabilize the Regime: reduce the tension between the ruling regime and the revolutionaries

Question 6

Fundamental Laws

Answer 6

The Duma: An elected assembly to help make laws
Civil Liberties: Promised freedoms like speech and assembly
Judicial Reforms: Fairer and more transparent court system
Constitution of 1906: Changed the absolute rule to a constitutional monarchy

Question 7

Stolypin Reforms

Answer 7

Land Ownership: The reforms allowed peasants to own land individually, rather than collectively; intended to create a class of prosperous, conservative small farmers

Encouragement of Private Farming: By promoting private farming, the reforms aimed to increase agricultural productivity and make Russia more competitive with other European powers

Reduction of Communal Land: Reduce the amount of land held in common by peasant communes, giving peasants the opportunity to consolidate their holdings and improve their farming methods

Support for the Tsar: Stolypin believed that reorganizing the land would increase support for the Tsar among the peasants, reducing the threat of revolutionary groups

Question 8

First World War

Answer 8

Military Defeats: Russia suffered numerous defeats on the battlefield, which demoralized the army and the public

Economic Strain: The war put a huge strain on Russia’s economy, leading to shortages of food and other essential goods

Political Unrest: The war exacerbated existing political tensions, created dissatisfaction with Tsar Nicholas II’s rule

February Revolution: The effect of military failures, economic hardship, and political unrest culminated in the February Revolution of 1917, which forced Nicholas II to abdicate

Bolshevik Revolution: The ongoing chaos and dissatisfaction set the stage for the Bolshevik Revolution in October 1917, leading to the establishment of a communist government

Question 9

February Revolution

Answer 9

People were fed up with World War I, food shortages, and the Tsar’s rule.

Massive protests erupted in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg).

Soldiers eventually joined the protestors instead of suppressing them.

Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, ending centuries of Romanov rule.

A provisional government took over but later got overthrown by the Bolsheviks in October.

Question 10

Provisional Government

Answer 10

Was set up after Tsar Nicholas II abdicated in 1917
Meant to be a temporary government to manage the country until elections could be held
They tried to keep Russia involved in World War I and struggled with internal issues, which led to them being overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution later that year

Question 11

Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies

Answer 11

During the Russian Revolution of 1917
Representation: Formed by workers and soldiers to represent their interests

Dual Power: Acted as a counterbalance to the Provisional Government

Revolutionary Role: Played a crucial role in both the February and October Revolutions

Bolshevik Support: Eventually supported the Bolsheviks, helping them rise to power

Question 12

October Revolution

Answer 12

The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government.

They took control of key locations in Petrograd.

The Provisional Government collapsed.

The Bolsheviks established a communist government

Question 13

Bolsheviks

Answer 13

Formed from the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party: Split from the Mensheviks in 1903 over ideological differences

Led by Lenin: Advocated for a small, disciplined party of professional revolutionaries

Key Role in Revolutions: Led the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government

Established Soviet Rule: Created the basis for the Soviet Union

Question 14

Constituent Assembly

Answer 14

The Constituent Assembly was an elected body meant to write a new constitution for Russia post-revolution.

Elected: Chosen by the people in November 1917.

First Meeting: Convened in January 1918.

Dissolved by Bolsheviks: Shut down by the Bolsheviks the next day to consolidate power.

Question 15

Alexandra Kollontai

Answer 15

Women’s Rights Advocate: She fought for gender equality, women’s suffrage, and women’s rights in the workplace

People’s Commissar: Served as the People’s Commissar of State Protection from 1917 to 1918, playing a significant role in the early Soviet government

Diplomat: Held various diplomatic positions, including being the first woman to be a Soviet ambassador

Marxist Feminism: She was a pioneer of Marxist feminism, advocating for the emancipation of working-class women

Question 16

Vladimir Lenin

Answer 16

Led the October Revolution in 1917, ended centuries of imperial rule

Establishment of Soviet Rule: Lenin was instrumental in establishing the Soviet Union, the world’s first communist state

Civil War Leadership: He led the Soviet state through the Russian Civil War, ensuring the Bolsheviks’ victory

Economic Policies: Introduced policies like War Communism and later the New Economic Policy (NEP) to stabilize the economy and support the war effort

Legacy: His leadership and ideology shaped the future of Russia and had a lasting impact on global politics.

Question 17

War Communism

Answer 17

Government Control: The government took over industries and farms.

Requisitioning: They took surplus food from peasants.

No Private Business: Private trading was banned.

Rationing: Resources were distributed by the government.

Harsh Effects: It helped win the war but caused economic problems and famine.

Question 18

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Answer 18

Russia Left WWI: Ended Russia’s involvement in the war

Lost Territories: Russia gave up lots of land to Germany and its allies

Economic Payments: Russia had to pay reparations

Question 19

Civil War

Answer 19

Sides: Reds were the Bolsheviks; Whites were a mix of monarchists, capitalists, and other anti-Bolshevik groups.

Foreign Involvement: Other countries like Britain, France, and the USA sent support to the Whites.

Outcome: The Red Army won, solidifying Bolshevik control over Russia.

Significance: Led to the creation of the Soviet Union and significant political, social, and economic changes

Question 20

New Economic Policy

Answer 20

Partial Return to Private Ownership: Allowed some private businesses and small-scale private trade

Agricultural Policy: Peasants could sell surplus produce for profit, incentivizing production

Mixed Economy: Combined socialist and capitalist elements to boost the economy

Question 21

Joseph Stalin

Answer 21

Industrialized: Turned Russia into an industrial powerhouse

Repressive: Ruled with terror, causing millions of deaths

WWII Leader: Key figure in defeating Nazi Germany

Cold War: Helped make the Soviet Union a global superpower

Question 22

First Five-Year Plan

Answer 22

Transformed the Economy: Rapidly turned the Soviet Union from a mostly agricultural society into a major industrial power.

Increased Production: Boosted production of steel, coal, and machinery, making the USSR more self-sufficient and powerful.

Collectivization Impact: Though it aimed to improve agriculture, the forced collectivization led to widespread famine and suffering

Strengthened State Control: Increased the government’s control over the economy and people’s lives

Question 23

Great Terror

Answer 23

Stalin used the Great Terror to remove anyone who might oppose his ideologies or threaten his power, including political rivals, military leaders, and ordinary citizens

To maintain power over citizens

Question 24

Autocracy / authoritarianism

Answer 24

Someone maintaining control/power
Minimal freedoms/and no space for opposing ideologies
Tsars/Stalin/Lenin

Question 25

Serfdom, emancipation, peasant communes

Answer 25

Serfdom: Peasants were bound to the land and controlled by landlords

Emancipation: In 1861, serfs were freed by Tsar Alexander II

Peasant Communes: After being freed, peasants shared land and resources in communal villages.

Shift from a rigid, oppressive system to peasants having more control over their lives.

Question 26

What if anything was unique about Russia?

Answer 26

“Backwardness” & Quick Societal Changes and Whatnot

Question 27

Idea of Russia’s “backwardness” in relation to western powers

Answer 27

Late industrialization and economic underdevelopment, western countries like Britain, France, and Germany were rapidly industrializing and advancing technologically, Russia lagged behind

Question 28

Russia as a multi-national empire

Answer 28

Diverse People: Many different ethnic groups with unique languages and cultures

Imperial Expansion: Grew by adding various territories and peoples over centuries

Integration Efforts: Tried to unify diverse groups, often through policies like Russification

Challenges: Difficulties managing such a diverse population and cultural conflicts

Question 29

Reform, retrenchment, reaction, and revolution

Answer 29

Reform: Efforts to modernize and improve the country, such as the Great Reforms under Tsar Alexander II, including the emancipation of serfs in 1861

Retrenchment: Periods where the government pulled back on reforms, often due to internal or external pressures

Reaction: Conservative responses to reforms, aiming to restore traditional order and power structures

Revolution: Major uprisings that dramatically changed the political landscape, like the 1905 Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917

Question 30

Urbanization and Industrialization

Answer 30

Industrialization: Russia began to industrialize rapidly in the late 19th century, especially under Stalin’s First Five-Year Plan (1928-1932). This led to the growth of heavy industries like steel, coal, and machinery.

Urbanization: As industries grew, people moved from rural areas to cities in search of jobs. Major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg expanded rapidly.

Question 31

Development of civil society

Answer 31

1860s Great Reforms: Growth of civil society during Tsar Alexander II’s reforms, including the emancipation of serfs.

Soviet Period: Civil society was suppressed under Soviet rule, with state control over all aspects of life.

Transition Period (1990s): After the fall of the Soviet Union, civil society began to re-emerge, with the growth of Non-Governmental Organizations, (NGOs) and other civic organizations.

Question 32

Ideologies of Marxism and Leninism

Answer 32

Class Struggle: Both believe in the fight between the working class and the ruling class.

Revolution: Both advocate for overthrowing the capitalist system.

Communism Goal: Both aim for a classless, stateless society.

Proletarian Leadership: Both emphasize the role of the working class in leading the change.

Question 33

Creation and cultivation of communism

Answer 33

Russian Revolution (1917): Bolsheviks overthrew the Tsar and set up a communist government.

Soviet Union (1922): Officially formed, bringing communist rule to a huge area.

Stalin’s Era: Rapid industrialization and harsh measures to build a communist society.

Cold War: Became a superpower promoting communism, clashing with the capitalist West.

Question 34

Changes and continuities in the lives of groups such as the gentry, peasants, middle-class, women, workers, soldiers

Answer 34

Adaptation to Change: All had to adapt to significant political and social changes, whether during the Tsarist era, the revolution, or the Soviet period.

Struggle for Rights: Each group experienced struggles for rights and better conditions, like peasants during the emancipation and workers during industrialization.

Impact of Policies: Government policies, whether reforms or repression, affected all groups significantly.

Economic Roles: Every group played crucial roles in the economy, whether through agriculture, industrial labor, or military service.