Russia: the Tsar

Question 1

why was there a 1905 revolution (3)

Answer 1

1) economic problems: change from an agricultural country to a modern industrialised country. peasants had to pay heavy taxes on everyday items such as salt and alcohol. wages kept low, high working hours. industrial slump in 1902, workers lost jobs, increase in strikes. poor harvests, peasants could barely survive. outbreaks of violence and they burnt landlord’s houses. govt. response were troops and violence, taking advantage of people and leading them into bigger crises.

2) russo-Japanese war: 1904 victory in a small war would boost morale, stop people criticising his government. war made conditions worse as it caused shortages of food and prices rose. lack of industrial materials = factories to close. workers = unemployed and hungry. japanese inflicted defeat on the russians, very humiliating as japan is a very small country compared to russia. pushed deeper and deeper into crisis. port arthur (main port that was ice-free as the other port had been blocked off by ice) fell to japan bringing renewed protest and incompetence to the Tsar and his govt.

3) bloody sunday: (massacre) father gapon organised a march to deliver a petition ,to ease tension, to the Tsar seeking help. 22/01, 200,000 people marched towards Winter palace and they were met by troops
innocent people attacked for no reason, was unjustified

Question 2

what rules did the october manifesto include

Answer 2

• a parliament or duma
• civil rights
• uncensored newspapers
• right to form political parties

Question 3

why did the Tsar survive the 1905 revolution

Answer 3

1) signed a peace treaty with Japan: thousands of japanese troops sent to protect the Tsar. pay and better conditions to ensure loyalty to the Tsar.

2) gained support by issuing October manifesto : liberals and middle class were now on his side = fewer protests and he had more support

3) willing to use force: govt. and troops on his side, upper hand when force used as they had more power and control to suppress and kill the revolutionists.

Question 4

stolypin’s policies

Question 5

why was Rasputin so damaging to the Tsar

Answer 5

• gave the Tsar and Tsarina advice on how to run the country but his decisions were often damaging for the country
• drinker and womaniser
• sign of weakness and unsuitability for Russia which Tsar ignored
• peasants so not worthy of a royal position
• Tsar was out front, he was left in charge
• advised her on appointments and interfered in important decisions
• kicked out important and good ministers
• incompetent for such a worthy position
• someone so low in society being with the higher-ups seemed dishonourable

Question 6

problems faced on the war front in world war 1

Answer 6

• suffered major military defeats at tannenburg and the masurian lakes
• badly led and appallingly treated by the aristocrat officers
• poorly supported by industries
• short of rifles, ammunition, artillery and shells
• tsar took command in sept 1915 unable commander
  - personally responsible for defeats and blunders
• caused people to desert their positions and abandon the war : soldiers = mutiny
• 9 million casualties
• 13 million conscripted

Question 7

problems faced in the home front in WW1

Answer 7

• war killed 13% of population
• very low wages
• overcrowding
• fuel and food shortages since couldn’t be transported
• rail networks couldn’t cope with the needs of the army
• dead soldiers and orphans weren’t paid pensions

Question 8

causes of the 1917 revolution

Answer 8

• mutiny in the army
• failures in the war
• strikes : putilov steelworks in petrograd
• food shortages
• duma setting up provisional govt.
• discontent in the countryside : high conscription rates and high casualties
• Tsarina and Rasputin

Question 9

why was the march 1917 revolution successful

Answer 9

• tsar responsible for defeats in the war
• horrible conditions due to war: discontent in countryside
• provisional govt. forced tsar to abdicate
• people refusing to fight in the army due to mutiny, nobody could crush the troops, was one of the tsar’s strongest weapons in stopping revolutions becoming successful
• economy and industry rapidly decreased due to strikes putting the tsar in a financially difficult position
• food shortages: hard to survive as prices rose. not much to lose and more to gain. many peasants were conscripted so less peasants to actually produce successful agriculture
• formation of soviets: initiate and organise strikes
• tsarina and rasputin: brought dishonour upon tsar’s name (aristocrats) and people didn’t like they way they ran the country