Russia- the nature of government Flashcards
What does the word ‘autocrat’ come from?
The Greek word for ‘self rule’
What themes does the nature of government cosist of?
- Structure
- Ideology (beliefs)
- Repression/reform
- Opposition
What are some key terms to use when talking about ideology?
- Autocracy
- Marxism-Leninism
- Totalitarianism/Stalinism
- Destalinisation
- Communism
- Tsarism
What are some key words/phrases to use when writing nature of government questions?
- Diluted
- Liberalised
- Fundamental Differences
- Reaffirmed
- Strengthened
- Fundamental
- Limited
- Stark differences
How did Alexander III strengthen the secret police?
by introducing the Statute of State Security, which gave more powers to the Okhrana.
Why is Alexander II known as the Tsar Liberator?
because he gave the serfs legal freedom, with 40 million serfs
freed from being tied to the land
Can Alexander III be said to be reactionary?
Yes
Why can the provisional government be said to have a liberal ideology?
because they gave many freedoms during their rule, including freeing all
political prisoners and abolishing the secret police
What did Marxism-Leninism focus on?
Class, persecution of religion, equality etc
What did Totalitarianism focus on?
-Control of every part of people’s lives.
-Internal passports introduced, use of terror, propaganda, personality cult, and 5 year plans/collectivization to control all of Russian life
What did Destalinisation focus on?
Reduction in repression from Stalin’s rule. Millions released from repression, by 1960 only 11,000 political prisoners left in Gulags.
What are the best pieces of evidence for changes in ideology during this time period?
- Lenin’s introduction of Marxism-Leninism, as it marked the end of Tsarism and the autocracy.
- Alexander’s liberalism, with the emancipation and the introduction of the lateral reforms.
- Alexander III reaffirming his ideology with the Statute of State security, which gave more poweres to the Okhrana.
- Nicholas II reaffirming his autocracy by introducing the Fundamental Laws of 1906, which significantly reduced the powers of the Duma.
- Destalinisation under Khrushchev . Decentralised power, no more command economy.
How should a synoptic paragraph be written?
- Clear sentence starter
- At least 3 examples
- Trends/Exceptions?
- Explanation of why in relation to the q
- Mini judgement
Give some key features of a Tsarist autocracy:
- selected by God.
- Violent repression of real or imagined opposition.
- Service state
- Absolute power that wasn’t shared with anyone else.
- Power of monarchy legally unrestricted.
- Church justified autocracy.
- No democracy.
- Cult of personality built around the Tsar
Define ideologies
a system of ideas and ideals, especially ones which form the basis of economic or political theory or policy
When did Alexander II sign the Treaty of Paris?
In 1856
Before Alexander II was killed, was he going to introduce a new constsitution?
Yes
Who was the most repressive Tsar?
Alexander III
Who suspended all of Alexander II’s reforms?
Alexander III
Who introduced an intense form of Russification?
Alexander III
What is Russification?
forcing everyone to be Russian
Which Tsar closed newspapers and unis?
Alexander III
Did Nicholas II lose the Japanese war?
Yes
Which Tsar did the bloody sunday massacre happen under ?
Nicholas II
Who introduced the duma?
Nicholas II
Why did Nicholas II introduce the Duma?
Because of the 1905 revolution
Do all the Tsar’s change the structure of government?
Yes