Nicholas II

Question 1

When was he in power?

Answer 1

1894-1917

Question 2

When was the Russo-Japanese war?

Answer 2

1904-1905, Tsar blamed for defeat

Question 3

Summarise his reign

Answer 3

Never seemed to deal effectively with economic/political/social issues

Question 4

List some of his characteristics

Answer 4

• Less intellectually able
• No reforming impulses
• Weak personality
• Sensitive
• Married Alix of Hesse (a German) for love
• Became Tsar at 29
• Educated by Popodonostev

Question 5

Summarise his reign in 4 points

Answer 5

1) . Committed Russia to WWII (made tactical mistake by taking personal control of army in 1915
2) . Tsarina (and Rasputin) left in charge
3) . Forced to abdicate in 1917-replaced by provisional gov.
4) . Bolsheviks murdered him and his family

Question 6

How did Witte increase foreign investment?

Answer 6

-In 1897 the rouble was placed on the ‘Gold standard’ (the fixing of a country’s currency to a specific quantity of gold).

Question 7

When was Witte’s ‘Great Spurt’?

Answer 7

1891-1903

Question 8

List some achievements of the Great Spurt

Answer 8

• Industrial production increased 7.5% p.a
• Coal production doubled
• Railway track increased: 1891=29,183km- 1901=52,612km
• Income from industry increased 1893=42 million roubles. 1897=161 million roubles
• Between 1893 7 1898 foreign capital investment increased by 120%
• Iron & Steel production increased sevenfold

Question 9

What problems did he face when he came to power?

Answer 9

• Poor living/working conditions
• International conflict
• -Organised industrial opposition
• SR Terrorism
• SDs eventually become Bolsheviks/Mensheviks

Question 10

What were his policies in:

a) 1896
b) 1903

Answer 10

a) A law standardised working day to 11 hours

b) A workers’ insurance system introduced to protect workers against loss of employment due to injury

Question 11

What was Bloody Sunday?

Answer 11

-Jan 1905, 200 demonstrations marching on winter palace shot dead by soldiers and a further 800 injured

Question 12

What was the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 12

-A series of protests and strikes that led to the publication of October Manifesto and creation of Duma.

Question 13

What was the October Manifesto?

Answer 13

-Blueprint for a new form of elective government revolving around the Duma

Question 14

Summarise the four Dumas

Answer 14

1st Duma, April-July 1906:
Disbanded after disagreements about land reform
2nd Duma, Feb-June 1907:
Disbanded- disagreement about Land reform & management of Russian army
3rd Duma, Nov 1907- June 1912:
Majority were loyal to crown. Major reforms that strengthened army/navy improvements to judicial system, introduction of State- sum insurance schemes
4th Duma, Nov 1912- Feb 1917:
Far right politicians, pressured Tsar to abdicate.

Question 15

What were the fundamental laws?

Answer 15

1906- Regulations that reinforced the position of the Tsar and watered down the impact of the 1905 reforms.
-Made it clear that no legislation could be passed by the Duma without Tsars consent

Question 16

What did Minister of the Interior Pyotr Stolypin launch between 1906 & 1914?

Answer 16

• ‘Wager on the strong’ to modernise agriculture and increase food production.
• Ex serfs could buy themselves out of the peasant commune & consolidate strips of land into profit- making farms
• Helped by Peasant Land bank. 1/8 of households advantage.

Question 17

Describe the governments’ structure after the October Manifesto

Answer 17

1. The Tsar continued to rule as autocrat
2. Council of Ministers chaired by a PM elected by Tsar
3. The State Council (nominated/elected upper chamber) nominated by Tsar/elected as reps of towns/church/ zemstva etc.
4. The Duma (elected lower chamber) election process deliberately complex, discriminated against workers/peasants. Tsar could disband it.
5. The Senate