Nicholas II (1894-1917) Flashcards
When did Nicholas come into power?
1894
What was Nicholas’ personality?
Small, natural reserved, indecisive, not a practical man
Exclaimed ‘what is going to happen to me and to all of Russia’
Nationalist gangs devoted to the ‘Tsar, Church and Motherland’ > played a major role in crushing the 1905 revolution
The Black Hundreds
Give an example of outburst in Russian universities
In 1901, force was used against a crowd of students in St Petersburg killing thirteen, and in the aftermath of the incident, 1500 students were imprisoned
What was the nickname of the mass disturbances and arson attacks in rural communities from 1902 to 1907>
The years of the red cockerel
What kind of action did the peasants take in the rural area’s?
Set fire to landlords’ barns, destroying grain, seized woodland and physically attacked landlords
What was the result of the ‘years of the red cockerel’?
Stolypin dealt with the disturbances. Peasants were arrested and exiled, or shot in their thousands
How many strikes took place in the year 1904?
90,000
Give an example of an industrial strike that escalated in the towns?
In 1901, the Obukhov factory in St Petersburg so violent clashes between armed police and Cossacks
What union was formed in 1904 by Father Gregorii Gapon and how many members did it have?
The Assembly of St Petersburg Factory Workers and it had 8000 members
When was the Russo-Japanese war?
1904
When was Plehve assassinated?
1904
What was the Russo-Japanese war unpopular?
It was announced it was going to be a ‘short swift victorious war’ > ended in defeat and caused anti-Japanese patriotism
When was Blood Sunday?
9th January 1905
What triggered the 1905 revolution?
A strike began at Putilov iron Works in St Petersburg, led by Father Gapon and soo involved 150,000 workers
What was the result of Blood Sunday?
12,000 troops were used to break up the demonstration leaving 150 dead and thousands wounded
How many people died on Blood Sunday?
150 people
What was the October Manifesto in 1905?
- Established a State Duma so allowing a voice to all classes of the population and it gave them power to approve laws
What was the initial reaction to the October Manifesto?
It was greeted with celebrations on the streets of St. Petersburg and the pre-organized General Strike was called off
How many St Petersburg Soviets are arrested on the 3rd December 1905?
250 members including Trotsky
What other measures does Nicholas II take in order to control opposition and unrest?
- Peasant redemption payments are halved
2. Press censorship end
What was the purpose of the Fundamental Laws issued by Nicholas II in 1906 and what powers did it give him?
It was issued to reassert his power. The tsar also claimed the right to:
- to veto legislation
- dissolve the duma
- to appoint and dismiss government ministers
- to control the Orthodox Church
- to control the military and declare war
The First Duma…(April-June 1906)
- Boycotted by the Bolsheviks, SR’s and extreme rights
- Requested radical reforms which were all rejected
The Second Duma…(Feb-June 1907)
- More left-wing and opposed the government
- Refusal to support Stolypin’s agricultural reforms
- Dissolved due to attack on the army
The Third Duma…(Nov 1907-June 19120
- Agreed to most government reforms
- Set up schools for poor children
- National Insurance for workers
The Fourth Duma…(Nov 1912-August 1914)
- Voiced criticisms to the Tsar
- It was blind of the Tsar to not consider the power of the Duma as this may have saved the Tsarist regime
When was Stolypin assassinated?
1911
What did Stolypin establish in 1906 that dealt with crimes deemed to be political in intent?
Court Martials led by senior military officers
How many people were convicted and execute between 1906-1909 under the Court Martials?
3000 people
Stolypin’s intolerance and ruthlessness became known as…
Stolypin’s Neck Tie
What had opposition weakened by 1914?
- Internal quarrels within the opposition groups
- Increased police activity
- Revival of patriotism
What major figure caused the Royal Families reputation to be damaged?
Rasputin
Who was the Minister of Finance under Nicholas II?
Sergei Witte
What main changes did Witte undergo for the economy?
- Development of the Trans-Siberian railway
- ‘The Great Spurt’ > boom in ‘heavy’ industries
- Economic modernization > State Capitalism
- Heavy taxation and tariffs > caused prices to rise
- Russia was placed on the Gold Standard to encourage international investment
How much did coal output increase in 1900?
671 million puds
What was the State Capital used for?
Fund public works, develop Russia’s infrastructure (railways, telegraph lines) as well as develop mines, oilfields and forests for timber