Nature of Gov

Question 1

To what extent was ‘X’ the most important turning point?

Answer 1

Para 1- Ideological:
-Refer to ‘X’.
-October 1917 rev- biggest theoretically, not in reality (still autocracy).
-Remained same in long term.
-In reality- Feb Rev biggest turning point.
-Al III coming to power- contextually most- ‘Tsar liberator’.
Para 2- Admin:
-Refer to ‘X’.
-Crimean war biggest in struc of gov- Zemstva introduced.
-1st example of democratic gov.
-Oct rev- not in reality- structure of gov remained same- same organs.
Para 3- Repressive:
-Refer to ‘X’.
-October Rev- comm more brutal than Tsars.
-Brutal treatment of peasants under war comm.
-A II assassination- A III more repressive- Statute of state security.
Para 4- Reformative:
-Refer to ‘X’.
-Crimean war- brought real change for people.
-Emancipation (limited but symbolic).
-Educational reforms.

Question 2

Were communists just ‘Red Tsars’?

Answer 2

Para 1- Ideology:
-Different justification but both autocratic.
Tsars: divine right/paternalist duty- all adhered to orthodoxy, autocracy.
-Reforms only to preserve autocracy.
Comm: Diff- not based on religion but quasi-religious undertones- Lenin felt he was chosen to carry out com.
Para 2- Structure and admin:
-Both hierarchical & autocratic.
-Comm better autocrats-more efficient.
Tsars: absolute control- committee of ministers ran state affairs- Senate: supreme court.
Comm: Less bureaucratic-fewer organs=more efficient.
-Still hierarchical & autocratic- Russia=1 party state.
Para 3- Use of repression:
-Comm- more repressive.
Tsars: Used less successfully (worse autocrats).
A II- Okrana used as agent provocateurs- not long-assassinated.
N II- used army on strikes e.g. Lena goldfields strike- 200 dead/black earth revolt.
Comm- used more successfully (better autocrats)-experienced little opposition-used to enforce policies.
-Cheka implemented Red Terror.
-Repression based on social class!
Para 4- Use of Reform:
-Both used reform to protect autocracy BUT comm more effective.
Tsars: protect autocracy & prevent rev from below- Emancipation.
-Also used to catch up with west economically: Witte’s G.S.
Comm: Also used to quell unrest-focused more on economic development-to catch up with west.

Question 3

How far do you agree that Russian Rulers preferred repression to reform?

Answer 3

Para 1- Repression:
-Both used- comm more effective.
Tsars: used to protect position-limited success- NII forced to abdicate, AIII favoured it more, NII also used for strikes.
Comm: used far more than tsars & more successful- little opposition-used differently-to enforce policy (Lenin used cheka to enforce war comm- Stalin used NKVD to enforce 5.Y.Ps.
Para 2- Reform:
Used more by Tsars-limited success.
Tsars: used to protect themselves- Emanc.
-Duma 1905 after Bloody Sunday-move to more const monarchy.
Comm: rarely used, repression already strengthened position enough- Exception: NEP after discontent about war comm- used to advance economy.
Para 3- Censorship:
-Extension of repression-used more by comm.
Tsars: Glasnost-under AII & NII.
-Press expanded under NII-x3 more periodicals (1900-4).
Comm: Abolished press freedom- writers had to join Union of Soviet Writers under Stalin + Only produce ‘Socialist realism’ about ‘New soviet man’.
Para 4- Propaganda:
-Extension of repression, much more under Comm.
Tsars: NIIs image promoted by pamphleteering + 1913 tercentenary celebration of Romanov dynasty.
Comm: Slogans e.g. ‘Peace, Bread + Land’- ‘All power to the Soviets’.
-Created cult of personality to indoctrinate people.

Question 4

To what extent was there change/continuity in the nature of government?

Answer 4

Para 1- Ideology:
-Tsars (as in Red Tsars).
-Comm: Also continued autocracy. Lenin demanded complete loyalty to Bolsheviks-those who didn’t faced punishment. Slight change under 5.Y.Ps-more autocratic than anything.
Para 2- Structure & Admin:
-All used centralised gov and admin- yet extent varied.
-All hierarchical- Tsar at top, politburo under comm- organs of gov.
-Multiple organs in both periods- Tsars: council of ministers, imperial council of state, senate etc.
Para 3- Use of Reform:
-Cont- tools of gov-BUT-different motivations.
-Eco reforms used in both periods to catch up with west.
-Comm used differently-to centralise control over people (collectivisation)..
-Social reforms used under both to prevent unrest.
Para 4- Use of Repression:
-Cont- both used when reform wasn’t successful.
-Change- comm used to greater extent.
-Secret police used in both regimes-more widely under Tsars.
-Okrana used mainly under AIII and during 1905 Rev.
-PG failed as got rid of secret police.
-Cheka worse than before- victimised people because of who they were not what they did.