Survival of Tsarism

Question 1

What three policies did Bulygin’s August Manifesto establish?

Answer 1

1) The new elected assembly was to to be called the Duma.
2) The assembly would have the opportunity to discuss proposed new laws.
3) There was to be a complex electoral system favouring peasants.

Question 2

What three policies did Witte’s October Manifesto establish in order to combat a general strike?

Answer 2

1) Guaranteed basic freedoms, notably freedom of speech, assembly and association.
2) A Duma with real power in that new laws could only come into force with the Duma’s approval.
3) The extension of the right to vote in Duma elections to all classes of the population.

Question 3

In December, why did the Moscow Soviet call for a general strike?

Answer 3

To overthrow “criminal Tsarist government”.

Question 4

What did the army do in the aftermath of the Moscow uprising?

Answer 4

They engaged in reprisals: mass arrests, beatings and executions without trial. More than 1,000 people died.

Question 5

In what way did the Social Revolutionaries (Chernov) disagree with the League of Liberation (Struve) and the liberals (middle-classes)?

Answer 5

SR’s supported violence, whereas League of Liberations and Liberals did not.

Question 6

In what ways did the Bolsheviks (Lenin) and Mensheviks (Martov) disagree?

Answer 6

Bolsheviks refused to co-operate with non-Marxists, whereas Mensheviks were happy to do so.