Tsar Leadership

Question 1

Influences of Tsar?

Answer 1

Grandfather being blown up by a revolutionary bomb

Reactionary father- determined to uphold tsarist power

Question 2

Tutoring of Tsar?

Answer 2

Tutored to ensure moral correctness regarding autocracy

Question 3

Why was tsar ill suited to role?

Answer 3

Found political affairs boring
Awkward in public
Naturally shy
Did not take advice well

Question 4

1905 revolution?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

1906 government response?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Nicholas attitude to ministers?

Answer 6

Kept them weak- dismissed those who were gaining too much power- did this via notes behind their backs to avoid confrontation

Question 7

How could it be argued that the Tsar misinterpreted the situation in Russia?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Who was Rasputin?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

How was the decision to go to war initially taken?

Answer 9

Seen as popular due to anti-German sentiment

Question 10

What were war credits?

Answer 10

Used to raise taxes and loans to fund war

Question 11

Change to capital?

Answer 11

Changed name from St Petersburg to Petrograd- rid German name

Question 12

Why did popularity not last long?

Answer 12

Defeat in Battle of Tannenburg- 3000 people dead/wounded and 1000 taken prisoner

Question 13

Russia war effort?

Answer 13

Raised an army of 12 million that lacked basic warm clothing and suitable weaponry

Question 14

How many rifles?

Answer 14

2 for every 3 soldiers

Question 15

How many shells?

Answer 15

Limited to 2-3 shells per day

Question 16

How many deserters in first year?

Answer 16

1.5 million

Question 17

Downfall of tsar?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Internal issues with decision to move to Frontline?

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

Fate of Rasputin?

Answer 19

Killed by Prince Yusupov in 1916

Question 20

Economic state of Russia during war?

Answer 20

Inflation
Money= worthless by 1917
Trade at standstill during blockade
Rationing causes acute famine

Question 21

What put limits on food supply?

Answer 21

Conscription- lack of people in countryside- meaning lack of production and the peasants who did produce food more often than not harboured it

Question 22

Nature of unemployment during war?

Answer 22

Closure of factories that had no relevance to war increased unemployment rates, resulting in multiple lock out and strikes

Question 23

What did living costs increase by?

Answer 23

300%

Question 24

State of railways during the war?

Answer 24

Systems collapsed under the strain of war
Fuel shortages
Food was left to rot in ditches

Question 25

Why did death rate increase?

Answer 25

Insanitary conditions

Inadequate diets

Question 26

How did Tsar show his lack of knowledge about the economic state of Russia?

Answer 26

Had no concerns about the ‘Young boys and girls running around claiming that they have no bread’ - ‘This will all pass’

Question 27

Attempts to rid Russia of Tsar ruling?

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What was the Progressive Bloc?

Answer 28

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