The October and February revolution Flashcards
What influenced Tsar Nicholas’ political outlook?
- Reformist Grandfather blown up
- Reactionary father
- Upbringing
- His wife
How did Tsar Nii Grandfather being blown up impact him?
- He was 13 when it happened, thus shaping his childhood with grief.
- Perhaps suggested to him that society didn’t actually want reforms
- Suggests that to stay safe he must oppress all lower classes
When did Tsar Nicholas’ inherit the throne?
In 1894 at the age of 26 (quite young).
How long had the Romanov dynasty ruled Russia?
Since 1613
How was Nicholas’ environment sheltered?
- Tutored by an arch conservative who ensured moral correctness of autocracy was instilled on him
- Reactionary father determined to uphold Tsarist power without concessions
- He was constantly in an environment that emphasised his divine right to rule; there was no space for growth
What was Nicholas’ personality like?
- Shy
- Awkward in public
- Found intricate details of politics boring
- Over cautious (not much self belief of confidence in decisions?)
- Stubborn
- Constantly suspicious
- Delusional and out of touch with the masses
How did Nicholas’ personality effect his ability to rule successfully?
- He struggled to make clear political decisions
- He saw advice as criticism
- Kept his ministers weak so as to preserve his authority
- Pitted them against each other
- Dismissed ministers by note behind their back as he hated confrontation
- He had a reluctance to innovate
- Problems with state finance
- Disorganisation brought by overlapping institutions of Tsarist government
Who was Nicholas’ wife and how did she influence him?
- Alexandra, a German Princess
- Married two weeks after his fathers death (1894)
- She was strong-willed but often proved misguided
- Introduced Rasputin to him
- She believed in her husband and his ability to rule
Who was Rasputin and what was his influence on Nicholas’?
- He was a self proclaimed ‘holy-man’ and healer
- Was introduced to help ease Prince Aleksei’s haemophilia
- Influenced extended to interfering in gov. appointments
- Known for womanising and drunkenness
- Favours were heaped on him; damaging TNii’s reputation
What happened in 1913 and how did it further Nicholas’ delusions?
- The year was marked by a wave of violent strikes
- The Romanov Tercentenary
- At Kazan Cathedral (elaborate thanksgiving service took place) a pair of doves briefly hovered over the heads of the Tsar and his son - interpreted it as a sign of God’s blessing
How did WW1 effect Nicholas’ rule?
Ultimately it was Nicholas’ ineffective leadership and weak infrastructure that led to the demise of his authority.
Why did Russia side with Serbia in World War One?
- Long held ambition to dominate the Balkan area
- Pan-Slavism was strong in Russia
Positives for Russia joining WW1?
- Decision was initially popular
- Social/political disorder ceased and Duma voted for war credits before dissolving itself
Negatives for Russia joining WW1?
- GB + F fought the Western front, forcing Russia to struggle alone fighting the Germans + Austro-Hungarians on the Eastern front
- Initial victories gave way to defeat, clear war would not end with a quick victory
- Reports of military incompetence inflamed the discontent within the Russian capital
- 12 million men mobilised, but unable to provide for them. Mostly peasants conscripted meant lack of farming/workers.
- Fall in morale, 1.5 million desertions by the end of 1916
What were the problems with the quick mobilisation of men within ww1?
- 12 million mobilised, mostly peasants
- Without suitable weaponry
- Lacking basic warm clothing, and properly fitted waterproof footwear
- 2 rifles for every 3 soldiers
- In 1915 it was not unusual for artillery to be limited to 2 or 3 shells per day
- Loss of experienced officers killed in the early stages of war
Why must the Russian military breakdown not be over-emphasised as the reason for revolution in Feb 1917?
- Russia managed to tie down the German armies on the Eastern front for 3 years
- In 1916 Russia was able to manufacture more shells than Germany
- Most of the Russian army was made up of conscripted peasants who, in turn, made up 80% of Russia’s population of 166 million
When was the Battle of Tannenburg, where was it, and what happened?
- August 1914
- East Prussia
- Left 300,00 dead or wounded
- Thousands taken prisoner
When was the defeat at the Masurian Lakes and what was its subsequent result for the war?
- September 1914
- Forced the Russian army into a temporary retreat from East Prussia
Where was greater success for the Russian Army in 1914?
In the south against Austria-Hungary
What did the Tsarist gov. set up in 1914 that increased political tensions?
July 1914 Tsarist gov. set up ‘military zones’, where all civilian authority was suspended.
- opposed by liberal Zemstva; regarded gov. as insensitive to the needs of the people, believed the civilians needed to play a major part in running the war - suggests their continuing belief in the Tsarist gov. inability to lead.
What did the Zemstva establish during the war?
- The ‘Union of Zemstva’
- to provide medical facilities which the state seemed to neglect
What did the factory owners and businessmen set up during the war?
- The Congress of Representatives of Industry and Business
- included representatives from the dumas and of workers
- to help coordinate production
What did the Zemstva and municipal do in June 1915?
- Joined to form Zemgor; the All Russian Union of Zemstva and Cities
- Chaired by Prince Lvov
- Claimed the right to help the Tsar’s gov. in the war effort
- But N shunned it, and it turned into a focus for liberal discontent
