The Collapse of Autocracy by Nicholas II = 1894-1917 Flashcards
When did Tsar Nicholas II reign?
1894-1917
What did Nicholas’ Dad think of him?
His dad thought he was a dunce, a weakling and he referred to Nicholas as a ‘girlie’.
What did Nicholas think of himself?
He was ‘no prepared to be Tsar’ and he ‘never waned to be a Tsar’. He also was not interest in politics; he only accepted his role, as he believed it was God-given!
What were the 3 main Influences on Nicholas? HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 3 here!
- Pobedonostsev
- The Church
- The ‘Black Hundreds’
Who was Pobedonostsev and how did he influence Nicholas II?
Pobedonostsev was a key minister and adviser to Nicholas’ father.
As Nicholas’ tutor, he instilled attitudes in Nicholas to take his duties as a ruler seriously and to believe that any signs of weakness would be indications of cowardice and failure; he attempted to make Nicholas II a powerful and strong leader.
How did the Church influence Nicholas II?
Nicholas was committed to Orthodoxy - This ensured that the Church maintained its powerful influence. He was likely to listen to the Church, what they said and what they wanted.
Who were the ‘Black Hundreds’?
They were an extreme nationalist, right-wing movement that were devoted to ‘Tsar, Church and Motherland’ and they attacked groups, including Jews, who were seen as ‘disloyal’.
How did the ‘Black Hundreds’ influence Nicholas II?
The continuation of Alexander III’s Russification scheme and support for the ‘Black Hundreds’ organisations (who had right-wing and anti-Semitic ideas) ensured that Nicholas was not poplar with the ethnic minorities; this portrayed the image that Nicholas II was anti-Semitic, like his father!
How did the ‘Great Famine’ of 1891-1892 act as a Cause of Unrest?
The Russian people felt betrayed by the tsarist government, who were unable to help during the Famine; the zemstva and voluntary organisations were responsible for helping people and providing resources.
People begin to not trust the government and there was a firmer belief that ordinary people should have more power and more of a say in the nation’s affiars.
People believed that the Tsar failed to effectively deal with the famine and that, because the zemstva dealt with it, they ‘deserved’ more power!
How did Students act as a Cause of Unrest?
Students at Russian universities caused outbursts of trouble. These outbursts were met with the increased use of the Okhrana, whose activities ensures that rebellious young people were expelled, exiled, shot or drafted into the army - This led to more protests taking place.
What was the Okhrana?
The Russian police that were created in 1881 after the assassination of Alexander II; they protected the Tsar, the royal family, and the whole of system of Russian autocracy by itself.
Give examples of Student Rebellion and Unrest. HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 2 here and one happened after the other/in the aftermath of it.
1901= A squadron of mounted Cossacks charged into a crowd of students in St Petersburg and killed 13 of them.
In the aftermath, 1500 students were imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress.
What were the ‘Years of the Red Cockerel’?
Examples of arson in rural communities and in the countryside; the leaping flames resembled a rooster’s comb!
Give examples of Peasant Unrest and Anger. HINT: Name as many as you can; there are 4 examples of unrest here!
- They set fire to their landlords’ barns
- They destroyed grain
- They seized woodland and pasture from their landlords
- They attacked their landlords
Who was Pytor Stolypin?
He was Tsar Nicholas II’s Minister.
