The Tsar's contribution to his own downfall

Question 1

What were the four main factors to his downfall?

Answer 1

1. Personality and leadership
2. Reform
3. Attitude to political change
4. Misjudgements and mistakes

Question 2

What was the issue with the Tsar’s personality?

Answer 2

Weak, indecisive, stubborn.
Did not have the skills to rule Russia and did not pay attention to the people.
Used repression as his main weapon, and replied on the army.
If he lost the army, he lost his power, as in 1917.

Question 3

What was the issue of the Tsar’s attitude to reform?

Answer 3

Never truly supported Witte or Stolypin’s reforms.

No real concessions to the workers regarding shorter working hours or better conditions.

Question 4

Why were the workers a dangerous political force?

Answer 4

The workers were a dangerous force due to their cramped living quarters allowing them to organise strikes easily.

Question 5

What was the Tsar’s firm political belief?

Answer 5

Firm believer of autocracy, as he resisted all ideas of change.
Never fully committed to the October Manifesto, so missed out on gaining the support of the liberals.

Question 6

What was the Tsar’s attitude to the Dumas?

Answer 6

Did not really want a duma, and the Fundamental Laws showed his unwillingness to show power.
Would not cooperate with the Dumas or Progressive Bloc during the war.

Question 7

What were the Tsar’s biggest misjudgements and mistakes?

Answer 7

Failed to realise the seriousness of the situation building in 1904.
Incompetence to run the government following Stolypin’s death.
Left the tsarina in charge, and she supported Rasputin.