Tsar Leadership Flashcards
Influences of Tsar?
Grandfather being blown up by a revolutionary bomb
Reactionary father- determined to uphold tsarist power
Tutoring of Tsar?
Tutored to ensure moral correctness regarding autocracy
Why was tsar ill suited to role?
Found political affairs boring
Awkward in public
Naturally shy
Did not take advice well
1905 revolution?
Catalyst= defeat to Japan
Course- Not a coordinated attack but a series of events including Bloody Sunday (a peaceful protest in which workers peacefully marched to Tsar winter palace) resulted in a massacre-Up to 200 people were killed by rifle fire and Cossack charges.
1906 government response?
First Duma met- Tsar established his fundamental laws which insisted that the Duma had no control over state ministers- the Duma was therefore dissolved and ruling by decree was favoured
Nicholas attitude to ministers?
Kept them weak- dismissed those who were gaining too much power- did this via notes behind their backs to avoid confrontation
How could it be argued that the Tsar misinterpreted the situation in Russia?
He saw a series of jubilees to celebrate Romanov dynasty as a sign ‘the people love me’ and had no awareness of the political content
Who was Rasputin?
Was introduced to tsar by his wife after he had eased the pain of their only son who was suffering from haemophilia - blood cannot clot properly
Known womaniser and drunk
Religious healer
How was the decision to go to war initially taken?
Seen as popular due to anti-German sentiment
What were war credits?
Used to raise taxes and loans to fund war
Change to capital?
Changed name from St Petersburg to Petrograd- rid German name
Why did popularity not last long?
Defeat in Battle of Tannenburg- 3000 people dead/wounded and 1000 taken prisoner
Russia war effort?
Raised an army of 12 million that lacked basic warm clothing and suitable weaponry
How many rifles?
2 for every 3 soldiers
How many shells?
Limited to 2-3 shells per day
How many deserters in first year?
1.5 million
Downfall of tsar?
Defeats in Galicia 1915 meant the tsar adopted the Chief commander of Russian army - he therefore moves to front line - this showed bravery and confidence but was ultimately a bad decision as he lacked military experience and could not turn the war effort around
Internal issues with decision to move to Frontline?
Rasputin was an overpowering influence over Tsarina- constantly trying to interfere in government appointments
Accused of having an affair with Tsarina- also trying to sabotage war effort (tsarina accused of German sympathies)
Fate of Rasputin?
Killed by Prince Yusupov in 1916
Economic state of Russia during war?
Inflation
Money= worthless by 1917
Trade at standstill during blockade
Rationing causes acute famine
What put limits on food supply?
Conscription- lack of people in countryside- meaning lack of production and the peasants who did produce food more often than not harboured it
Nature of unemployment during war?
Closure of factories that had no relevance to war increased unemployment rates, resulting in multiple lock out and strikes
What did living costs increase by?
300%
State of railways during the war?
Systems collapsed under the strain of war
Fuel shortages
Food was left to rot in ditches
Why did death rate increase?
Insanitary conditions
Inadequate diets
How did Tsar show his lack of knowledge about the economic state of Russia?
Had no concerns about the ‘Young boys and girls running around claiming that they have no bread’ - ‘This will all pass’
Attempts to rid Russia of Tsar ruling?
Founders of progressive bloc looked to organise troops to force abdication of Tsar
Prince Lvov asked Tsar’s uncle if he would be willing to take throne
What was the Progressive Bloc?
Progressive Bloc was an alliance of political forces in the Russian Empire and occupied 236 of the 442 seats in the Imperial Duma. It was formed when the State Duma of the Russian Empire was recalled to session during World War I, the response of Nicholas II of Russia to mounting social tensions
