Russian opposition to the Tsar Flashcards
Repression
the use of force or violence to control a group of people
Alienate
to cause a person or people to stop supporting you
Who felt alienated?
the government alienated the peasants, aristocrats and liberals. The peasants felt they weren’t cared for and the aristocrats were unhappy as Rasputin was in the king’s court
Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)
In 1904 Russia declared war on Japan over territories in east Asia. They were expected to win but Japan won. Russia lost its only ice free naval port and 2/3 major navel fleets.
Why did the Russo-Japanese War generate opposition to the Tsar?
-it showed Russia’s weakness
- people felt humiliated
- they lost territory
- economy and trade was harmed as they now can’t trade in winter.
Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolution
-On 22nd January 1905, a peaceful march full of women and children happened in St Petersbery and was organised by the priest Father Gapon to petition for better working condiitons and the end of the russo-japanese war.
- the government refused and soldiers shot >143 people outside the winter palace.
- this led to 10 months of revolution :
-mutinies
-strikes by workers
-violence against landlords
Why did Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolution generate opposition to the Tsar?
- it was clear there was no democracy
- people could see that others were willing to fight
-lots of innocents were killed so it showed the Tsar didn’t protect or listen to the people - Tsar was unwilling to help
Political Repression 1906-11
-1905 Rev ended by the announcemnt of the October Revolution
-The promises included freedom of speach, end to censorship and a national parliament (Duma)
-Duma first met in 1906
-The fundamental laws restricted the power of the duma:
-can’t appoint or dissmiss ministers
-the tsar could get rid of the duma whenever he wanted
Between 1906-11 >3000 perople were executed
Why did Political Repression 1906-11 generate opposition to the Tsar?
- people were angry as the Tsar didnt keep his promises
- many people (mostly peasants) were killed
- the duma didn’t have political freedom as the Tsar controlled it
Who was Rasputin and what did he do?
-The tsar’s son Alexei had a severe illness and so the Tsarina brought in a mystic to help
- Rasputin came from a peasant background and still dressed like so even though he was often in court
-He drank regularly and had influences with aristocratic women
- A rumour he was having and affair with the Tsarina and had a lot of influence over the Tsar
Why did Rasputin generate opposition to the Tsar
- the aristocrats were angry as they felt there was a peasant in their courts
- people felt Rasputin was an imposter
- people felt he had too heavy and influence on the Tsar and his decisions
