Tsarist Russia Flashcards
what was the duma?
an elected Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions. The term comes from a Russian verb meaning ‘to think’ or ‘to consider’
what is a manifesto?
A published declaration promoting new ideas with prescriptive notions for carrying them out
What happened in the 1905 Bloody Sunday ‘Revolution’?
In 1904, Nicholas lost a war with Japan which undermined his authority
In 1905 a peaceful demonstration led by Father Gapon was attacked by Cossacks in a bid to assert the Tsar’s authority
This led to strikes and riots
What were the consequences of the 1905 revolution?
Nicholas published the October Manifesto which promised to create a Duma
He also lowered taxes on the poor and brought in Peter Stolypin as Prime Minister
The Okhrana tracked down and arrested revolutionaries
However as soon as he felt powerful enough, he stopped listening to the Duma
Tsarist authority by 1914
Nicholas retained substantial power after the 1905 revolution and had a strong sense of dynastic responsibility
He appointed/dismissed his ministers and relied on a narrow circle
Reasons for Nicholas weakened authority
His personality- believed completely in divine right to rule, stubborn and saw advice as criticism
Alexandra and Rasputin- encouraged to listen to Rasputin advice, became more powerful than ministers undermining tsarist court
Nicholas and russias problems- didn’t actively solve any believing they were in gods hands
Reasons for food shortages
Millions of men conscripted into the army caused labour shortages on farms and in factories reducing food supplies
Peasants hoarded their grain rather than selling it
Food supplies prioritised for the army leaving little for towns
Railway system was turned over to transporting military supplies
Reasons for cost of living rising
To pay for the war the government raised taxes and took on huge loans
Shortages of food and manufactured products raised prices higher and higher leading to inflation
Unemployment increased as non-military factories were forced to close because of a lack of supplies
Discontent in Russia
Most discontent was expressed towards those in positions of power
Expressed in strikes, unrest in the countryside and desertions from the armed forces
Tsars refusal to cooperate with the progressive bloc increased political discontent
Although workers and soldiers increasingly open to radical positions most radical opponents were in exile or prison
