Political Opposition

Question 1

How were the Mensheviks a threat?

Answer 1

The Mensheviks played a leading role in the 1905 Revolution and were very active in the soviets and emerging trade union movement

Question 2

How were the Mensheviks not a threat?

Answer 2

Their insistence on a large party of activists made them vulnerable to Okhrana infiltration

Question 3

How were the Bolsheviks a threat?

Answer 3

• They had a centralised system of leadership and small cells to avoid the Okhrana - even if they were infiltrated little info would be gained
• Their newspaper Pravda helped spread revolutionary ideas
• They frequently used terrorism e.g. robbed banks to gain funds

Question 4

How were the Bolsheviks not a threat?

Answer 4

• There was no police report of them being a threat to state security
• They had low membership only 5-10k before 1914
• Only played a minor role in 1905 revolution

Question 5

How were the Social Revolutionaries a threat?

Answer 5

• Peasants provided them a large support base
• Attracted intellectuals
• 2,000 successful political assassinations, shows they are organised

Question 6

How were the Social Revolutionaries not a threat?

Answer 6

• The Peasantry (most of their support) were illiterate and couldn’t access their leaflets
• Lack of support in villages due to committees being run by intellectuals in towns so communication was difficult
• Were split into 2 sides: left wanted terrorism, right wanted reform. This division weakened them as they were not a united party

Question 7

How were the Populists a threat?

Answer 7

• Would ‘go to the people’ and spread ideas to peasantry with peaceful propaganda
• Were responsible for the assassination of Alexander II

Question 8

How were the Populists not a threat?

Answer 8

• Did not have a clear plan or aims
• Middle class movements we’re ineffective as peasantry were naturally conservative so they were unable to gain widespread support

Question 9

How were the Kadets a threat after 1905?

Answer 9

• Succeeded in appealing to middle class liberals
• Were dominant in first Duma gaining over 30% of seats

Question 10

How were the Kadets not a threat after 1905?

Answer 10

They were unable to gain support from the peasantry, the middle class was only 1.5% of the population

Question 11

Were the Octobrists a threat post 1905?

Answer 11

No:
- The Tsar even agreed to work alongside them when he issued the October Manifesto
- Worked with Tsar’s ministers in the Duma

Yes:
Became critical of the Tsar due to Rasputin