Midterm Flashcards
Alexander II
Emperor of Russia 1855-1881
Ended Serfdom
Declared/Started the Great Reforms
Great Reforms
Emancipation of Serfs 1861
Judicial Reforms 1864
Local Government Reforms 1864
Military Reforms 1874
Education Reforms
Financial Reforms
Censorship Eased
Nicholas II
Emperor of Russia 1894-1917
Russian Revolution 1905
February Revolution 1917
Autocratic rule & inability to address the political and social issues
Bloody Sunday
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
October Manifesto
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
Fundamental Laws
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
Stolypin Reforms
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
First World War
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
February Revolution
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.
Provisional Government
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
Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies
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
October Revolution
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
Bolsheviks
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
Constituent Assembly
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.
Alexandra Kollontai
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
Vladimir Lenin
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.
War Communism
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.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
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
Civil War
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
New Economic Policy
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
Joseph Stalin
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
First Five-Year Plan
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
Great Terror
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
Autocracy / authoritarianism
Someone maintaining control/power
Minimal freedoms/and no space for opposing ideologies
Tsars/Stalin/Lenin
Serfdom, emancipation, peasant communes
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.
What if anything was unique about Russia?
“Backwardness” & Quick Societal Changes and Whatnot
Idea of Russia’s “backwardness” in relation to western powers
Late industrialization and economic underdevelopment, western countries like Britain, France, and Germany were rapidly industrializing and advancing technologically, Russia lagged behind
Russia as a multi-national empire
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
Reform, retrenchment, reaction, and revolution
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
Urbanization and Industrialization
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.
Development of civil society
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.
Ideologies of Marxism and Leninism
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.
Creation and cultivation of communism
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.
Changes and continuities in the lives of groups such as the gentry, peasants, middle-class, women, workers, soldiers
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.
