Russia - Tsar

Question 1

Features of Russian Society

Answer 1

Ruled by Tsar - absolute power: monarchy
Over 80% of Russians were peasants
Massive size
Used violence to shut down riots etc.

Question 2

Why did Russia have a revolution in 1905?

Answer 2

Economic problems - backward industry meant they needed money to reverse this, it was taken from the people. Peasants paid tax on grain yet working conditions and wages were very bad
Russo-Japanese war - Tsar wanted to get people on his side, wasn’t long before prices rose in the cities as war caused shortages. Worse: Japan defeated them time after time
Spark: Bloody Sunday - 22 January Father Gapon organised a march to deliver a petition yet it was shut down by force

Question 3

Manifesto

Answer 3

October Manifesto - instead of using force Tsar issued a manifesto

1) a Duma elected by the people
2) civil rights eg freedom of speech
3) uncensored newspaper and a right to form political parties

Question 4

Why was there growing discontent in Russia from 1906 to 1914

Answer 4

1) although there is an industrial boom, working conditions and hours and wages don’t improve - eg 1912 strike
2) Tsar ruled with no notice of Duma

Question 5

Revolution of 1917 - reasons

Answer 5

1) The Tsars mistakes = discontent –> promises not fulfilled in October manifesto eg Duma
2) Appointing Stolypin –> violence = discontent eg he hung over 1000 peasants without fair trial
3) War. Entering the war made him unpopular WHY? - USSR defeated in many battles, casualties are high, conditions on the front, no food at home
4) situation at home - tsarina was hated she wasn’t trusted

Question 6

Stolypins reforms

Answer 6

Peasants could buy strips of land
Peasants bank - loans for them to do this
Record harvest in 1913
Poorer peasants made to sell land and relocate

Question 7

How did Stolypin attempt to deal with Russia’s problems

Answer 7

Land reforms
Peasants bank
Violence - eg necktie