Russian Revolution: Historian quotes

Question 1

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

Answer 1

“Revealed the incompetence of the Tsarist regime and undermined its authority.” — Orlando Figes

Question 2

Bloody Sunday (9 January 1905)

Answer 2

“Turning point in the relationship between the tsar and the people” - Figes

Question 3

October Manifesto (17 October 1905)

Answer 3

“A temporary concession” - Pipes
“Designed to appease the moderates and defuse the revolutionary crisis” - Pipes
“Left the autocracy essentially intact.” - Pipes

Question 4

Fundamental State Laws (23 April 1906)

Answer 4

“failure to recognise the difference between reform and reaction” - Pipes

Question 5

First two Dumas (April to July 1906) + (February to June 1907)

Answer 5

“Revealed the limits of the monarchy’s tolerance for reform.” — Richard Pipes

Question 6

Second 2 Dumas (1907-1912) + (1912-1917)

Answer 6

“failed to address the root causes of dissatisfaction.” — Orlando Figes

Question 7

Lena River Massacre (17 April 1912)

Answer 7

“deeper sense of class solidarity” — Alec Nove

Question 8

118 Strikes in St. Petersburg (June 1914)

Answer 8

“workers sought to challenge the autocracy.” — Richard Pipes

Question 9

Involvement in WWI

Answer 9

“Crisis of authority and legitimacy, as well as of economics and logistics.” - Figes

“Tsar became personally accountable for Russia’s war failures” - Nove

Question 10

Food Riots (1914-1916)

Answer 10

“Failure to understand the economic and cultural growth of his country” - Pipes

Question 11

February revolution

Answer 11

“The strikes were an expression of the general discontent” — Orlando Figes

“These strikes marked the collapse of Tsarism” — Richard Pipes

“Tsar Nicholas had lost control, and the revolutionaries were gaining the upper hand.” — Alec Nove

Question 12

Tsars train halted + Abdicates

Answer 12

“A pivotal moment, marking the final breakdown of authority.” — Orlando Figes

Question 13

Provisional Government (March 1917 – October 1917)

Answer 13

“The failure of the Provisional Government was a key factor in the success of the Bolshevik Revolution.” — Orlando Figes

Question 14

October Revolution (25 October 1917)

Answer 14

“Pushing against an already open door” - Lynch

“The revolution marked the triumph of a small, radical group, whose policies would radically reshape Russia.” — Richard Pipes

Question 15

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (3 March 1918)

Answer 15

“Essential for the survival of the Bolshevik regime.” — Orlando Figes

Question 16

Decree on Private Ownership (6 December 1917)

Answer 16

“Bolshevik commitment to eradicating the old capitalist system.” — Orlando Figes

Question 17

Decree on Religion (9 February 1918)

Answer 17

“Part of Lenin’s broader strategy to secularize Russian society and eliminate religious influence.” — Richard Pipes

Question 18

CHEKA Formed (19 December 1917)

Answer 18

“Signaled the Bolsheviks’ commitment to using violence to secure power.” — Orlando Figes

“Crucial in suppressing dissent during the Civil War.” — Alec Nove

Question 19

Russian Civil War (1918-1921)

Answer 19

“The crucible in which the Soviet system was forged, marked by violence and widespread suffering.” — Orlando Figes

Question 20

Attempt on Lenin’s Life (30 August 1918

Answer 20

“Catalyzed the Bolshevik crackdown on opposition.” — Richard Pipes

Question 21

Tsar Nicholas II and Family Assassinated (July 1918)

Answer 21

“Decision to prevent the Romanovs from becoming a rallying point for anti-Bolshevik forces.” — Orlando Figes

Question 22

Polish-Soviet War (February 1919 - March 1921)

Answer 22

“Marked the end of Lenin’s dream of exporting revolution to Western Europe.” — Richard Pipes

Question 23

War Communism (June 1918 - March 1921)

Answer 23

“Essential for Bolshevik survival during the Civil War, but it created deep economic and social problems.” — Orlando Figes

“Stark reminder of the economic failure of Bolshevik policies during the Civil War.” — Orlando Figes

Question 24

Kronstadt Uprising (7 March – 17 March 1921)

Answer 24

“Significant challenge to Bolshevik rule, revealing the limits of revolutionary support among workers and soldiers.” — Orlando Figes

“Symbolic parting of the ways between the working class and the Bolshevik Party.” - Pipes

Question 25

Martial Law Declared in Petrograd (25 February 1921)

Answer 25

“Response to the collapse of order and an attempt to reassert Bolshevik authority in Petrograd.” — Orlando Figes

Question 26

Tenth Party Congress (8 – 16 March 1921)

Answer 26

“Essential in the transition from War Communism to the NEP, marking a more cautious phase of Bolshevik rule.” — Orlando Figes

Question 27

New Economic Policy (NEP) (March 1921 – 1928)

Answer 27

“Pragmatic retreat from the Bolshevik ideals” - Pipes

“Necessary step to save the revolution.” - Pipes

It brought economic recovery, but at the cost of reintroducing private capitalism and reinforcing the dominance of the peasantry.”
— Richard Pipes

Question 28

Famine is at its Peak in Russia (June – July 1921)

Answer 28

“One of the greatest tragedies of the early Soviet period, resulting from failed economic policies.” — Orlando Figes

Question 29

Wittes reforms

Answer 29

“Made Russia a serious economic competitor, but they also intensified the social struggles that would explode” — Richard Pipes

“Destabilized society and paved the way for revolution.” — Orlando Figes

Question 30

Stolypins reforms

Answer 30

“Stolypin’s reforms aimed to buy time for the autocracy, but his repressive tactics deepened social divisions and resentment.” — Richard Pipes

Question 31

SOVNAKROM
October 1917

Answer 31

“Sovnarkom represented the Bolshevik’s immediate move to create an authoritarian, centralised government” — Orlando Figes

Question 32

June Offensive
18 June 1917

Answer 32

“discredited the Provisional Government and gave the Bolsheviks an opening to seize power.” — Orlando Figes

Question 33

July Days
16-20 July 1917

Answer 33

“Exposing the government’s vulnerabilities” — Orlando Figes

“A failure in the short term” — Richard Pipes

Question 34

Grain requisitioning
1918-1921

Answer 34

“Leading to peasant revolts and a sharp decline in agricultural output.” — Orlando Figes

Question 35

Kornilov affair
27 Aug 1917 – 13 Sept 1917

Answer 35

“Played into the hands of the Bolsheviks” — Richard Pipes

“Inability of the Provisional Government to maintain control, leading to a shift in power toward the Bolsheviks.” — Orlando Figes