R: Nicholas II as an Autocrat

Question 1

Nicholas personality

Answer 1

Shy, nervous man
Did not shadow his father; unprepared for his duties
Found politics boring
Suspicious of political opponents (grandfather assassination, father’s russification)

Question 2

Russo-Japanese War

Answer 2

Feb 1904 - Sep 1905

Concurrently with developing 1905 Revolution, sparking major demonstrations

Worsened public opinion on Nicholas II - lack of interest in politics, oppression of working class, plus humiliation against a “non-threat” under his guidance.

Question 3

The Dogger Bank Incident

Answer 3

• The Russian navy in the Baltic mistook British fishing craft for Japanese navy and opened fire. They also fired upon themselves in the chaos.
• In consequence, they were barred from traversing the Suez Canal and had to sail

Question 4

Battle of Tsushima

Answer 4

May 1905
- Only 4 ships escaped
- Humiliating defeat led to criticism of the Russia government

Question 5

Workers Petition

Answer 5

Signed by 135 000
- Freedom of speech
- Reform recognising human rights, improved working conditions
- Establishment of Constituent Assembly and full suffrage (lending people more power)

Question 6

Casualties of Bloody Sunday

Answer 6

Over 1,000
Destroyed public trust in the “Little Father”

Question 7

Who led Bloody Sunday?

Answer 7

Father Gapon

Question 8

End of January 1905, how many on strike?

Answer 8

400,000

Question 9

1905 Revolution: how many peasant disturbances?

Answer 9

Military deployed 2700 times
Due to Socialist Revolutionary pamphlets, RJ battle reports, city news.

Question 10

Peak of 1905 Revolution

Answer 10

Early October, inspired by Battle of Tsushima, millions on strike for two weeks
- Union of Unions: railroads, factories

Question 11

Labour organisation in 1905 Revolution

Answer 11

• Union of Unions
• All-Russian Peasants Union
• Soviets
• Worker union newspapers (-> ignoring censorship laws)

Question 12

End of Russo-Japanese War

Answer 12

• Improved conditions of service and increased pay to secure loyalty, which would be indispensable throughout the 1905 revolution.

Question 13

Potemkin Mutiny

Answer 13

Undermined military authority

Question 14

October Manifesto

Answer 14

30 October 1905
1. Fundamental civil freedoms
2. Universal suffrage
3. Duma

Question 15

October Manifesto impact

Answer 15

However, many Worker Petition unaddressed.
Therefore, soviets continued to strike
* Nicholas, angry, issued a major crackdown: 15 000 executed

Question 16

How did the 1905 Revolution end?

Answer 16

October Manifesto:
- Some revolters felt their aims had been achieved/recognised
- Split the revolution: soviets vs Liberals (middle class) [Kadets, Octobrists]

Loyalty of armed forces
- 15 000 executed

Question 17

Fundamental Laws

Answer 17

23 April 1906 (four days before the first Duma)

• No law can go into effect without tsar approval
• He determines when they meet
• FL revised only by the tsar