Russia In Early 1917 Flashcards
What were the main groups discontented with Tsarist rule in early 1917? - 4 (+3)
Peasants, town workers, the urban middle classes, & political opposition groups (Radicals, Liberals, and Nationalists).
Why were the peasants unhappy with the Tsarist regime? - 4
lived in poverty, struggled with overpopulation, frequent famines, & wanted land from landowners.
Why were industrial workers unhappy with the Tsarist regime? -5
suffered from poor living conditions, unsafe workplaces, long hours, harsh factory rules, and violent suppression of strikes.
Why were middle-class liberals unhappy with the Tsarist regime?
wanted more political freedoms and reforms to prevent revolution.
Why were national minorities unhappy with the Tsarist regime?
P wanted independence from the Russian Empire and resented forced Russification policies.
What were the main demands of the peasants in Russia?
wanted more land, particularly from landowners, to escape poverty.
How did industrial workers suffer in Russian cities? - 4
faced poor living conditions, unsafe workplaces, long hours, and harsh factory rules.
What was the impact of the 1905 revolution on peasants and workers?
Peasants burned landowners’ houses, & industrial workers joined a general strike that nearly overthrew the Tsar.
What happened to peasants during World War I?
Over 15 million were conscripted (called to fight) and their horses & supplies were requisitioned (taken by the army for war use).
How did factory owners respond to strikes?
fired workers or called in the police and army to break strikes by force.
Which political groups opposed the Tsarist regime? -4
Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs), Social Democrats (SDs), Liberals, and Nationalists.
What did the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs) want?
A new political system based on peasant communes.
How were the Social Democrats (SDs) divided?
Into:
• Bolsheviks: Believed in an immediate revolution led by the party.
• Mensheviks: Thought revolution was a long-term goal because Russia was not yet industrialised.
What did the Liberals want?
More political freedoms to prevent revolution.
What did the Nationalists want?
They sought independence from the Russian Empire.
What was Karl Marx’s influence on Russian politics?
He predicted that workers would lead a revolution to create a communist society.
What was the role of the secret police (Okhrana)?
It suppressed opposition to Tsarist rule and maintained government control.
Why were liberal parties a threat to the Tsarist regime?
sought political reforms that could weaken the Tsar’s absolute rule and prevent revolution.
Which groups supported the Tsarist regime? - 5
Conservatives, the secret police (Okhrana), the Church, the nobility, and high-ranking army officers.
How did World War I impact Russia?
plunged Russia into chaos, leading to military defeats, economic collapse, and political unrest.
Why did Russia struggle militarily in World War I?
Despite having world’s largest army, it was poorly led, badly equipped, and unable to match Germany’s efficient railway network and well-trained soldiers.
By 19??, what territory had Russia lost in World War I?
By 1917, large areas of the western Russian Empire had been lost to Germany.
How did World War I affect Russia’s food supply?
Disrupted harvests and military requisitioning reduced food supplies, leading to shortages.
How did the Duma (Russian parliament) react to World War I?
Initially supportive, it later criticised the Tsar’s ministers for their failures.
