Russian Revolution AOS1 Flashcards
What is an autocracy? What impact did the tsar’s autocratic rule have on other political groups?
A political system in which a single ruler has unlimited power, and is not accountable to a constitution or parliament.
The autocratic rule of the Tsars (Emperors) of Russia alienated Russian liberals and socialists, who wanted alternative political systems and greater political right.
How did the Russian peasantry react when law and order broke down?
The largest social group in Imperial Russia, comprising 82% of population.
Russian peasants had a tradition of rebellion and were feared as uncontrollable ‘dark masses’. They suffered from shortages of farmland. When law and order broke down, peasants would seize privately owned land.
What were the liberal demands in 1905?
Demands for democratic reforms which became widespread in 1905. These formed the basis of the Tsar’s October Manifesto.
1) A legislative Duma (law-making parliament)
2) Universal franchise (voting for all adult men)
3) Civil rights (freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of speech)
What was the Russo-Japanese War and what impact did it have in Russia?
A 1904-05 war in which Russia’s army and navy were defeated by Imperial Japan.
Poor performance in the war reduced faith in the regime’s strength, lowered morale in the military, and led to 400 mutinies. The war ended after the annihilation of half of the Russian navy in the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905.
What was the October Manifesto?
A proclamation by Nicholas II on 17 October 1905 in which he promised to give up some power and introduce democratic reforms.
Nicholas’ concessions included: 1) Universal franchise (all adult males could vote) for a Duma, 2) the Duma would be able to make laws,
3) freedom of speech and association.
Who was Tsar Nicholas Romanov II and how did he contribute to revolutionary movements?
Last Tsar of Russia, ruled from 1894 to 1917. His poor leadership and refusal to reform resulted in the growth of revolutionary sentiment.
Nicholas believed it was his duty to rule as an autocrat, and resisted pressure to reform. He abdicated the throne on 2 March 1917 after the February Revolution in Petrograd.
Who were the proletariat and how did they contribute to the revolution?
The radical social class which dominated Russian cities, comprising 4% of population.
Russian industrial workers were poorly paid and had appalling working conditions. Marxist revolutionaries believed that this anger would eventually result in a socialist revolution lead by the ‘proletariat’ (revolutionary workers).
What happened on Bloody Sunday?
A massacre of protesting industrial workers on 9 January 1905 which resulted in 200 deaths.
Tsarist soldiers fired on a procession led by Father Gapon to the Winter Palace. The massacre of the protestors shattered the faith of city-dwelling Russians in the Tsar, who was nicknamed ‘Bloody Nicholas’.
What was the October 1905 General Strike and what was its impact on the tsar?
A colossal strike by industrial workers which crippled major Russian cities in Oct 1905, forcing the Tsar to issue the October Manifesto.
Because there were so few loyal soldiers in central Russia, the Tsar was forced to compromise in order to restore order by issuing the October Manifesto.
What were the ‘Fundamental Laws of the Empire’?
The constitution of Imperial Russia, issued in April 1906. It reclaimed some of the power Nicholas had promised to give up in the October Manifesto.
The Fundamental Laws reiterated that the Tsar was the ‘supreme autocrat’, and reserved the right to dismiss the Duma and rule by decree.
What was the State Duma?
The parliament of Russia 1906-17
Introduced after the October Manifesto, the First (1906) and Second (1907) Dumas criticised the autocratic system, so the Tsar dismissed them. After changing the voting laws, the Third (1907-1912) and Fourth (1912-17) Dumas were elected with cooperative conservative majorities.
What was Marxism-Leninism?
Lenin’s adaptation of Marxism, which suggested that revolution will not occur unless a ‘vanguard party’ leads the masses.
Lenin believed that the Russian proletariat (workers) were not naturally revolutionary, and had to be led by the Bolsheviks. He also suggested that peasants were ‘allies’ of workers.
Who was Vladimir Lenin?
Revolutionary leader who founded and led the Bolshevik Party.
A radical and ruthless Marxist revolutionary, committed to the immediate overthrow of Tsarism and launching worldwide revolution. He believed a ‘vanguard party’ was needed to lead the workers to a socialist revolution.
Who were the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs)
A moderate socialist party which emphasised the need for improvement of peasants’ welfare.
The SRs were socialists (hostile to capitalism) but instead of focusing on workers, they argued for land redistribution to Russia’s peasants. They controlled Petrograd Soviet from Mar-Sep 1917.
Who were the Octobrists and how did their views change during WWI?
A conservative reformist group who believed the Tsar needed to appease the people of Russia, but should still maintain his power.
Initially firm supporters of the Tsar, they were horrified by incompetence of the government during WW1. Joined the Progressive Bloc in 1915 to demand a ‘government of public confidence’.
Who was Pyotr (Peter) Stolypin and how did he help to stabilise Russia after 1905?
Prime Minister of Russia 1906-11
Stolypin helped restabilise Russia after 1905 through 1) carrying out a campaign of ruthless repression and harsh punishments, and 2) introducing agricultural reforms and encouraging peasants to migrate to Siberia.
What is Orthodox Marxism and what is its view on revolution?
A revolutionary theory which suggests that revolutions naturally occur when one social class gains enough power to overthrow another.
First, the bourgeoisie (capitalists) overthrow the monarchy and establish a parliament which would support capitalism (the bourgeois revolution). Then, the proletariat (workers) would overthrow the bourgeoisie (the socialist revolution).
Who were the Bolsheviks?
A radical Marxist revolutionary party led by Vladimir Lenin.
The Bolsheviks became increasingly popular after April 1917 as a result of their criticism of WW1 and the Provisional Government. They sought to carry out a socialist revolution, and successfully seized power in October 1917.
