Topic 3 Flashcards
What was Nicholas’ policy of Russification
Official foreign policy
Enforced Russian culture and way of life
Policy of suppression designed to gain control over Russian people
What changes did Russification bring
Polish schools had to teach all subjects in Russian
Russian declared official language of Finnish government departments
Finns could be conscripted into Tsars armies
What affect did the policy of Russification have
Caused civil unrest
Divided people
Increased membership to revolutionary groups
What were the main consequences to Russia regarding the policy of Russification
Russia lost ties, alienated allies, lost support in WW1, mass emigration
How had Zemstvas been undermined after 1880
Land captains given political and policing control
Could override elections and decisions
Introduction of closed court sessions
Reduction of peasants vote in 1890
What was Nicholas’ reaction to the undermining of the Zemstva
Did not regard it as important
Dismissed attempts to create an ‘all Zemstvo organisation’ in 1896
Attempted to make Zemstva more conservative
Describe the events of Bloody Sunday in 1905
Peaceful demonstrations against working conditions and hours
10,000 workers and families
Military action
What were the consequences of Bloody Sunday
Fresh wave of strikes Emergence of illegal trade unions Grand duke assassinated by SRs Naval mutiny Printers strike in Moscow which spread and resulted in a general strike
What were the three main causes of the events at Bloody Sunday
Russo-Jap War 1904 (short term)
Previous economic factors under Witte
Russification
What were the causes of the Russo-Jap war
Russia wanted more coastline and ports
Japan wanted more land and resource
Why did the Russo-Jap war cause Bloody Sunday
Short lines of supply Lack of ammunition Exacerbating existing economic problems Food shortages Loss of factories to munition production 9000 deaths at Munkden
What response from Nicholas did Bloody Sunday spark
October Manifesto in 1905
What 3 measures did the October manifesto give to help solve social unrest
Civil liberties
Workers represented and given a voice through the Duma
All laws must be approved by the Duma
Who were the Octobrists
Loyal to the a tsar and his government
Wanted to maintain Russian empire
Who were the kadets
Largest of the liberal parties
Wanted Russia to develop a constitutional monarchy
What were the initial reactions to the October manifesto
Rejoicing and public optimism
What happened in the months following the October manifesto
Strikes continued
10 out of 19 cities in turmoil by November
How did Nicholas II address the continued unrest after the October manifesto
Issued the Fundamental Laws in April 1906
Why did Nicholas issue the fundamental laws
Restore order
Outline extent of Duma Power
Remove ambiguities
Reassert authority
What did the Fundamental laws state
Only Tsar holds power over everything
Tsar had control over all legislation
Tsar could rule without objection in emergency situations
Could is solve Duma
What were the characteristics of the first Duma (1906)
Bolsheviks and SRs refused to take part
Made up of radical-liberals
Demanded abolition of state council, seizure of land, universal male suffrage, abolishment of emergency laws
What were the characteristics of the second Duma (1907)
New PM: Stolypin
Bolsheviks, Mensheviks and SRs all took part
Votes from peasants, workers and national minorities decreased
Representation of gentry increased
Stolypin accused SDs of trying to assassinate the Tsar (dissolved Duma)
What were the characteristics of the third Duma (1907-1912)
Octobrists and rightists won majority of seats
Only wealthy (30%) male population could vote
Suspended twice by Tsar
What were the characteristics of the fourth Duma (1912-1917)
Very conservative due to new finance minister
Duma was ignored and its influence declined
Who was Stolypin
Appointed prime minister in July 1906
Introduced new court system, land reforms, health/education and changed electoral law
Assassinated in 1911
What were the 4 key legislations Stolypin created
Sept 06: state land available to peasants
Oct 06: peasants granted equal right in administration
Nov 06: peasants given right to leave commune
Jan 07: redemption payments abolished
What were Stolypins three main successes
Worlds largest cereal exporter by 1909
37% land purchased by land-less peasants
Development of large farms, increasing production
What were the three main limitations if Stolypins legislation
Only 10% farms had moved beyond traditional farming methods
Only 14% communal allotments passed to private ownership
Only 1.3 of 5 million applications for establishment of independent farms approved
Why could Stolypin have saved the autocracy
If given enough to time and support
Successfully improved harvest and reduced unrest
Number of workers increased to 2.9 million
Growing population suggests economic stability
Worlds 5th largest industrial power in 1914
Why couldn’t Stolypin have saved the autocracy
Conservatism of the peasants ran deep
Number of strikes initially reduced but this was not sustained
Assassination allowed emergence of Rasputin
