Tsat Nicholas II Flashcards
Who was Tsar Nicholas II
The autocratic Emperor of Russia in 1917
What dynasty was he a member of?
The Romanov dynasty
How long have they ruled Russia for?
Since 1613
Who influenced The Tsars autocratic mindset?
His reactionary Father ,following the death of his own father who was killed by a revolutionary bomb, was determined to uphold tsarist power without concessions. This profoundly influenced Nicholas II attitude.
How was autocracy instilled in him from a very young age?
Nicholas had been tutored by the arch-conservative Konstantin Pobedonostev who had ensured that he had the moral correctness of autocracy instilled within him from a young age.
Did the Nicholas’ personality make him suited to be a leader?
•Although he was convinced of his divine right to rule he was naturally shy and awkward in public.
•He found the intricate details of political affairs boring
•tended to be over cautious leading to his struggle to make clear political decisions.
•In addition, he was extremely stubborn, resenting any uncalled for advice
What did Nicholas do shorty after coming to power?
•He dismissed a zemstvo petition for an elected National Assembly as a ‘senseless dream’
•Even though he agreed to a state duma in 1906 under duress, he did all in power to minimize its influence
Why did Nicholas feel he needed to keep him ministers weak?
To preserve his own authority
How would Nicholas minimize his ministers influence?
•He would constantly pit them against eachother
•Would never let them directly challenge him or confront him on his behaviour
•Dismissed ministers by note behind their backs rather than speaking to them personally to avoid confrontation
Why was political authority weak because of the Tsar?
•His reluctance to innovate combined with a perpetual problems of finance and the disorganization brought by many overlapping institutions in Tsarist government all helped weaken political authority is Russia
