Nicholas II Flashcards
When did Nicholas II come to power?
1894
How did Nicholas II come to power?
After Alexander III’s death
What did Alexander III die from?
Kidney disease
How did Nicholas II feel about becoming Tsar?
He did not want to, lacked confidence, unprepared
How was Nicholas II described?
As weak, stubborn unorganized
Who influenced Nicholas II?
His father (Alexander III) and Pobedonostsev
What was Nicholas II commited to?
Tsarist conservatism
What did Nicholas II believe about democracy?
That it would be the collapse of the Russian Empire
What did Nicholas II’s wife, Tsarina Alexandra, support Nicholas II in?
His refusal to adapt politically to changing social and economic conditions
What did Russia need in order to compete and remain a “great power”
Modernization and industrialization
What was needed for Russia to remain a military power?
Industrial economy
What did Russia have to move away from to industrialize the economy?
an agriculture-dominated economy
What did the inefficient agricultural economy struggle to do in Russia?
Feed the growing population, provide government with a surplus for national security
What were the ‘peasant problems’?
‘land hunger’, low income, debt, starvation
What could Russia’s ‘peasant problem’ lead to?
Revolts, uprisings, threatened stability of tsarist regime