Nature of Nicholas II's regime & effectiveness of his rule

Question 1

When did Nick II come to power?

Answer 1

1894

Question 2

What were the weaknesses of Nick II?

Answer 2

• limited understanding of extreme poverty in which most Russians lived
• He relied heavily on a small number of advisers

Question 3

What were the tsar’s beliefs?

Answer 3

• believed firmly in maintaining the Tsarist system of government and keeping absolute power
• He did not support political reform
• He believed he had divine right to rule the Russian Empire

Question 4

How did Nick II enforce repression?

Answer 4

• In the period 1894-1905 he refused to allow a parliament to be established
• Heavily relied upon Okhrana to maintain security
• Supported censorship of newspapers and books
• Willing to use both army and elite forces (Cossaks) to suppress strikes/ protests e.g. supression of general strikes in Rostov 1902, Odessa 1903
• Encouraged Pogroms against jews
• Supported the establishment of the ‘Black Hundreds’. Members of this group supported Russian nationalism and anti-semitism - supported Tsar - intimidated workers with violence

Question 5

What were the weaknesses in the political system when Nick II was in power?

Answer 5

Thousands of Civil Servants helped Tsar govern Empire, this government system not efficient:

• Decisions could not be slow to be implemented
• The majority of civil servants were poorly paid - bribery, corruption widespread - problem was not resolved by 1905
• Tsar could be indecisive and easily influenced

Question 6

What was the impact of the tsars rule?

Answer 6

Nicks refusal to grant political reform or improve the living standards of the peasants and workers caused big frustration - many russians turned to political opposition groups

Question 7

How did Nicks marriage with the Tsarina impact his reign?

Answer 7

• called Alexanndra
• had a close relationship - could influence him
• often encouraged him to remain at home with his family rather than attending public events/ meeting advisors - alienated from population
• She was German - many Russians disliked her
• became an even bigger issue with WW1 outbreak

Question 8

How were opinions changing over Nick II and the Russian Orthodox Church?

Answer 8

• Church closely linked to Tsar
• leadership of Church supported Tsarist system of government
• Church promoted message that Tsar had been chosen by God
• More Russians were questioning the right of the Tsar to rule over them