russia pre communism Flashcards
what policy did Nicholas use against non- Russian population in the empire?
Russification with a dose of secret police
when was the emancipation of the Serfs?
1861
when and who created the great spurt?
1890s and it was created by Sergei Witte by putting Russia on the gold standard
Achieved rapid industrial expansion- coal production doubled.
Newer industries were also established
Witte’s reforms created the rapid rise of the proletariat. Their lives were extremely difficult and were easy targets for the Tsar’s opponents -> they became more politically conscious.
how much train tracks did Russia have by 1901?
53,000 km
what happened in 1905?
the first wave of revolution in Russia, followed by the failed Russo-japanese war
including Bloody Sunday and the first Potemkin mutiny, the harvest that year was also bad
what was the result of the 1905 revolution?
people unlock a Duma and the October manifesto
but then Nicholas pull out the fundamental laws which backed all that up
what was the black mass?
the peasants
who was Stolypin?
The Peasant Land Bank, was scaled up to provide peasants with affordable loans to purchase land.
Abolition of the Mir: The reforms aimed to dismantle the communal land tenure system, which had been a source of peasant discontent, and replace it with individual land ownership.
and a whole lot of murder
how was Russia in WW1?
awful. their army were partially made out of criminals
they lacked just about every supply needed, from guns to coats
they lost badly (battle of Tannenberg)
only made worse by the Tsar choosing to control the army himself
who was Rasputin?
some peasant guy whose apparently has magic and can talk to god
seemingly “cured” Nicholas son thus becoming very close to the royal family
=> the royal family losing support of the noble then later the commoner when Rasputin is killed
what was the provisional government?
set up after the revolution in 1917, as the Tsar had abdicated
Led by Prince Lvov. Duma representatives and the Petrograd Soviet (who issue order No.1 claiming their control over the military)
why was the Provisional government so unsuccessful?
Failure to End the War- people were sick of war
Unresolved Land Question- hesitance to answer peasant demand for land
Economic Problems- Russia economy was shit and people were starving
Lack of Legitimacy- they weren’t exactly voted in
Dual Power- argue constantly and neither side had the true power to run Russia
what did Lenin do upon his return from exile?
previously publish the April Thesis on his way back (which address the land and war issue)
he also immediately attempt to stop all collaboration with the PG
how was Russia under the Tsarist rule?
awful, oppression, Russification everywhere
being big and frozen year round make for very difficult development and miserable climates
The lena goldfield massacre:
Worker in a mine close to rural siberia. Worker shot when they were asking for better pay
what was the name of the tsar secret police?
Okharana
how was opposition toward the tsar?
The Octobrist, is loyal to the Tsar but wanted reforms and a duma
The Social Revolutionairs (SR), hated the Tsar, composed of workers and peasants, wanted to overthrow the regimes via violence - eventually split, left remaining violent while right is more chill
The Social Democrats (SD), wanted a revolution to change the way thing are, party split into the bolsheviks and menshevik
The Kadets - wanted a constitutional monarchy, the king does not have absolute power anymore must obey a list of laws, more democracy to the country
what was the kornilov affair?
Kornilov and his troops marched on Petrograd. Kerensky responded by dismissing Kornilov from office and ordering him back to Petrograd.
Kerensky gave soviets and bolsheviks guns, they didnt return them
The Bolshevik Red Guards organised the defence of the city. The workers shut down all rail traffic in and around the city of Petrograd.
what was the consequences of the kornilov affair?
The bolshevik gain more prestige
The other socialist party seem more willing (is gravitating toward) the bolsheviks more
Kerensky essentially made sure the army have no moral left
The bolsheviks are out of jail and have weapons ( a deadly combination to be sure
Create more dissatisfaction with the PG
what was the July days?
The July Days saw spontaneous demonstrations by soldiers, sailors, and industrial workers, demanding that power be transferred to the Soviets
The Provisional Government, with the help of loyal troops, suppressed the demonstrations, leading to arrests of Bolshevik leaders, including Leon Trotsky, and the flight of Vladimir Lenin to Finland.
what was the result of the July days?
The July Days represented a temporary setback for the Bolsheviks, who were perceived as radical and destabilizing by the Provisional Government and other factions.
Despite the temporary setback, the Bolsheviks continued to gain popularity and influence, ultimately leading to the October Revolution and the establishment of the Soviet government.
when did the communist take over the government?
9th september 1917
why was there a civil war in Russia?
November 1917: with Socialist Revolutionaries winning the majority.
disbanded the Assembly after its first meeting (people were very mad)
treaty of Brest-litovsk => many believed the bolshevik were leading to russia doom
minorities wanted independance from russia
November 1917- October 1922: Russia civil war
name of the bolshevik secret police?
Cheka, they censor and silenced people (the red terror)
why did the bolshevik win the civil war?
Strategical position of the bolsheviks
leadership
Trotsky reorganization of the Red army
war communism
red terror
weakness of the whites (divided)
failure of allies to provide supply
