The collapse of autocracy, 1894–1917 - Revision guide Flashcards
What did Nicolas II admit when he came to the throne in September 1894
“What is going to happen to me and all of Russia? I am not prepared to be a Tsar. I never wanted to become one. I know nothing of the business of ruling.”
How was Nicolas II determined to rule
‘As his father had done’
Why was Nicolas II an unsuitable Tsar
He was indecisive and incapable of making firm decisions or providing direction.
What did Nicolas II rely on to deal with challenges to his authority
The Okhrana and the army
Why did unrest in Russia increase in during the start of Nicolas II’s reign
The government appeared to offer no prospect of change.
What mistake did the Tsar make in 1903
Fired Witte, his most accomplished minister, leaving him surrounded with reactionary ministers.
How did peasants react to the lack of change and suffering of land hunger
Increase in unrest, burned down landowners barns and seized woodland and pasture
‘Years of the red cockerel’
How did industrial workers react to the lack of prospect change
Created illegal unions and became involved in strikes
When and by who was the first official union formed, and why was it allowed
Father Gapon created a union in St Petersburg, 1904, and it was created to prevent workers joining the radical socialists.
How did the Russo-Japanese War begin
Japanese attacked the Russian naval base at Port Arthur
Who was Plehve and what did he call for after the Japanese attack
Minister for Internal Affairs, called for a ‘short, swift, victorious war to stem the tide of revolution’
What were some significant losses for the Russians during the Russo-Japanese War
Battle of Mukden in March 1905, 90,000 dead
Battle of Tsushima in May 1905, 24/27 of the ships in the Russian fleet were sank
Describe the strikes at the Putilov works in St Petersburg
3rd Jan 1905, soon involved 150,000 workers
Describe Bloody Sunday
9th January 1905
Father Gapon led a peaceful march of 20,000 to the Winter Palace with a list of demands for the Tsar, who instead opened fire on the crowd, killing 200
Symptom of conditions not a cause of them
Who was assassinated on the 4th February 1905
Tsar’s Uncle and Grand Duke of Moscow, Sergei Alexandrovich
Describe the mutiny on the battleship Potemkin
June 1905, naval mutiny on the battleship. In Odessa, the authorities tried to disperse the crowds, killing 2000
What union was created in March 1905 and why was it significant?
All Russian Union of Railway Workers was established and soviets of elected factory workers were formed to coordinate strikes
What evidences increasing opposition from the peasants in 1905
Peasants rioted and created a ‘Peasants Union’ in August 1905
What events occurred in September and October increasing tensions in Russia to unseen highs
On the 23rd September a printers strike in Moscow spread around St Petersburg and other cities , and a general strike was created in October
What evidence demonstrates Russia being near to collapse in October 1905
Strikes in the cities and peasant uprisings in the country
Workers set up the St Petersburg Soviet to organise a general strike, which began in October
What was the October Manifesto and what did it promise
October 17th 1905
Promised civil liberties such as freedom of speech, and a State Duma elected by universal suffrage.
What was the impact of the October Manifesto
Split the opposition
Liberals such as the Kadets and Octobrists accepted the manifesto, radicals such as the SR’s and Bolsheviks rejected it.
SRs and SDs continued to get support in the cities and peasant uprisings continued in the country.
How did the Tsar recover his authority by the end of 1905
November and December raided the headquarters of the soviets in St Pete and Moscow. Leaders were arrested.
Peter Struve, (a liberal) , quote
‘Thank god for the Tsar for he has saved us from the people’