Pre-Soviet Legacies

Question 1

What characterized the governance of the Russian Empire?

Answer 1

Patrimonialism, Autocracy, Monarchy

The Russian Empire had a strong, centralized government based on patrimonialism, where the ruler treated the state as personal property, prioritizing personal loyalty over institutional governance.

Question 2

How did the Russian Empire respond to military defeats?

Answer 2

Military defeats prompted state-led reforms to modernize its military and administrative structures.

Question 3

What was Kievan Rus?

Answer 3

The princely state that acted as the foundation for modern nations of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Modern day Kiev.

Question 4

What was the significance of Kievan Rus’ adopting Christianity in 988?

Answer 4

In 988, Vladimir the Great converted to Christianity and declared it the state religion, aligning Kievan Rus with the Byzantine Empire culturally and religiously. This event is pivotal in the religious history of Eastern Europe.

Question 5

What led to the decline of the Kievan Rus?

Answer 5

Fragmentation: A flawed succession system led to civil wars and weakened the state.

Mongol Invasion: The state effectively ceased to exist as a unified entity after the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, which devastated Kyiv and its surroundings.

Question 6

What was the Mongol Yoke and how did it influence the development of Russian states?

Answer 6

The Mongol Yoke refers to the era following the Mongol conquest of Kievan Rus. They introduced a tribute system and influenced governance structures, but it was later blamed for Russia’s perceived backwardness.

Question 7

How did historical legacies shape Ukraine’s identity?

Answer 7

Kievan Rus and Christianity - religious identity

Mongol invasion and Mongol yoke - struggle for independence

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth - Ukrainian culture.

The Cossack Hetmanate - briefly reinforced Ukrainian autonomy, though it was eventually absorbed by the Russian Empire.

Question 8

What was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?

Answer 8

The Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795) was a dual state union encompassing much of present day Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia.

Question 9

How did Ivan the Terrible consolidate power in Russia?

Answer 9

Ivan established the Oprichniki (autocratic army), enforced autocratic rule, and expanded Russia’s territory.

Question 10

Why did Russia pursue territorial expansion in the 19th century?

Answer 10

Expansion aimed to secure natural borders, enhance geopolitical standing, and protect Slav-Orthodox populations.

Question 11

What reforms did Alexander II introduce in Russia?

Answer 11

He abolished serfdom in 1861, established elected assemblies (zemstvos), and modernized military and infrastructure

Question 12

What caused discontent with Alexander II’s reforms?

Answer 12

Reforms like the emancipation of serfs failed to meet expectations, leaving peasants burdened and fueling revolutionary movements.

Question 13

What was the impact of the 1905 Revolution?

Answer 13

The revolution led to the creation of Soviets, forced concessions like the October Manifesto, and established a Duma, though autocracy remained dominant.

Question 14

How did Karl Marx view capitalism?

Answer 14

Marx criticized capitalism as exploitative, creating inequality, alienation, and class consciousness.

Question 15

What role did Lenin assign to the Bolshevik Party?

Answer 15

Lenin believed the Bolshevik Party, as a revolutionary vanguard, could lead Russia through socialism to achieve communism.

Question 16

What were the Bolshevik slogans during the October Revolution?

Answer 16

Their slogans included “Peace to soldiers,” “Land to peasants,” and “Factories to workers.”

Question 17

What key decrees did the Bolshevik government enact?

Answer 17

The Decree on Land redistributed land to peasants, and the Decree on Peace called for negotiations to end the war

Question 18

What are at least two geographical factors that are relevant for explaining long-term developments in the countries of the former Soviet Union?

Answer 18

Size and Climate: The vast size of the region, combined with extreme climates (e.g., Siberian cold or Central Asian aridity), has complicated infrastructure development, communication, and centralization, leading to regional disparities.

Natural Resources: Countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan benefit from abundant oil, gas, and minerals, shaping their economies and geopolitical strategies, often fostering dependence on resource rents.

Question 19

What are at least two reasons for the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917?

Answer 19

World War I: The war inflicted severe economic and human costs, exposing the inefficiency of the Tsarist regime and eroding public and military support.

Internal Struggles: Decades of social inequality, political repression, and unmet demands for reform intensified revolutionary activity, culminating in the Bolshevik seizure of power.