Russia Flashcards
Reasons for discontent
- Peasants: Hungry for land, overtaxed, desperate poverty
- Industrial Workers: terrible working & living conditions, low pay, unemployment
- Radicals: wanted peasants/workers to take power for themselves
- Police state: no-one could feel free bc the police were always watching
- Nationalities: parts of the empire wanted to be independent, free from Russian oppression
- Middle classes: no say in how Russia was governed
What is a liberal
a person who believes in freedom from too much control by the state.
What does being a radical mean
Having ideas that are very new and different, and against what most people think or believe
What is a constitution
A written document that sets out how a country is governed
What is a socialist
A person who thinks the state should own important industries and share the wealth created by these industries among everyone
What were the immediate causes of the 1905 revolution
- The Russo-Japanese war: 1904-05
- Bloody Sunday
What was the Russo-Japanese war
Where Russia wanted control of Manchuria (Northern China) bc of its valuable resources and a port which did not freeze over in the winter. Japan also wanted control of Manchuria and this led to a war between the 2.
What was the outcome of the Russo-Japanese war
Japan defeated Russia due to its old-fashioned military tactics on land and sea. Russian people blamed the tsarist government for the embarrasing defeat
What was Bloody Sunday
The massacre of unarmed protestors (led by Father Gapon) by the Tsar’s soldiers attacking the protestors with swords and guns. Over 100 protestors were killed.
What were the events of the 1905 revolution
The Potemkin Mutiny, June 1905
What was the Potemkin Mutiny
When sailors on Potemkin mutinied due to maggots in the meat the soldiers were forced to eat.
What is a mutiny
A rebellion in the army of navy against someone in charge
What is a quartermaster
A lower-ranking officer with responsibility for steering the ship and signalling other ships
What is an executive officer
The second-in-command after the captain
What was the role of peasants and workers in the 1905 revolution
- Peasant Riots
- Industrial Workers
- St Petersburg Soviet
What were the peasant riots?
When peasants across the country rioted against their landlords (sometimes killing them and their families). They also set up communes by taking land their (grand)parents worked as serfs
What was the role of industrial workers
They striked. Bloody Sunday increased the number of strikes (more than 400,000 workers went on strike in Jan 1905 alone). A general strike was organised from 20th Sept - 2nd Oct 1905. The general strike linked workers with the liberal middle classes.
What was the St Petersburg Soviet
A council of workers to help organise the general strike. It only lasted from September to early December - shut down by government
What is a concession
Agreeing to something that would not usually be allowed
What is freedom of speech/religion
The right to say things or follow a religion without being treated unfairly by the government
