Unit 3: Area of Study 1 - Causes of the Russian Revolution Flashcards
1
Q
Model to use when Responding to Area of Study 1
A
- Cause
- Effect
- Significance
2
Q
Years that Caused the Revolution
A
1896-1917
3
Q
Major Political Parties in Imperial Russia
A
- Kadets
- Octobrists
- SR’s
- Bolsheviks
- Mensheviks
4
Q
Ideology of the Kadets
A
Libeal Reformism
5
Q
Goal of the Kadets
A
To transform Autocracy into a Constitutional Monarchy
6
Q
Supporters of the Kadets
A
- Middle Class
- Progressive Nobles
7
Q
The Contributions of the Kadets to the Revolution (List 2)
A
- Demanded a Duma and a Constitution (1905-1906)
- Led the Progressive Bloc (1915-1917)
- Established a Provisional Government (1917)
8
Q
Ideology of the Octobrists
A
Great Russian Nationalism
9
Q
Goal of the Octobrists
A
To support the Tsarist Regime
10
Q
Supporters of the Octobrists
A
- Gentry
- Industrialists
11
Q
The Contributions of the Octobrists to the Revolution (List 2)
A
- Controlled the 3rd and 4th Dumas (1907-1917)
- Turned against the Tsar when Russia suffered defeats in WWI
- Alligned themselves with the Kadets to push for more democratic reforms
12
Q
Ideology of the SR’s
A
Revolutionary Populism
13
Q
Goal of the SR’s
A
To redistribute the Gentry’s land to the Peasants
14
Q
Supporters of the SR’s
A
Peasants
15
Q
The Contributions of the SR’s to the Revolution
A
- Controlled the Petrograd Soviet with the Mensheviks (1917)
- Provided their support to the Provisional Government (1917)
16
Q
Ideology of the Bolsheviks
A
Marxism-Leninism
17
Q
Goal of the Bolsheviks
A
To undertake an immediate and violent workers’ revolution
18
Q
Supporters of the Bolsheviks
A
Workers
19
Q
The Contributions of the Bolsheviks to the Revolution
A
- Seized control of the Petrograd Soviet (September 1917)
- Overthrew the Provisional Government in a Coup (October 1917)
20
Q
Ideology of the Mensheviks
A
Marxism
21
Q
Goal of the Mensheviks
A
To improve the rights of the workers’ by enrolling them in Trade Unions
22
Q
Supporters of the Mensheviks
A
Workers
23
Q
The Contribution of the Mensheviks to the Revolution
A
- Formed a Coalition with the SR’s and controlled the Petrograd Soviet (1917)
- Provided their support to the Provisional Government (1917)
24
Q
Date of the Bloody Sunday Massacre
A
January 9, 1905
25
Summary of the Bloody Sunday Massacre
Russian Priest Father Gapon who worked with the urban workers and heard their grievances and encouraged them to create a petition which set out their grievances, marched to the Winter Palace and presented the Tsar with their petition. The Putilov Steel Works saw workers’ being dismissed. This leads to the other workers’ going on strike to support these dismissed workers’. This leads to even more workers’ going on strike. The petition was designed to demand social and political reform
26
Short-Term Cause of the Bloody Sunday Massacre
Father Gregory Gapon creates a petition for the workers’ to deliver to the Tsar at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to improve their working conditions and to introduce a Legislative Duma where workers’ can express their grievances and vote on laws to improve their rights
27
Long-Term Cause of the Bloody Sunday Massacre
Industrial workers were angered by the poor working conditions as they had to work 13-hour days and were only paid 1 rouble per day and were given no sick leave
28
Effect of the Bloody Sunday Massacre
150,000 protestors (workers) joined a peaceful march to present the petition to the Tsar, however they were met with force due to Nicholas feeling threatened. He ordered the police, soldiers and Cossacks to open fire on the crowd, killing 200 and wounding 800
29
Significance of the Bloody Sunday Massacre (List 2)
- This shatters the myth of the “benevolent Tsar” and Nicholas was no longer seen as the “Little Father” and instead was seen as “Bloody Nicholas”
- The Massacre triggered a series of protests
- The Massacre led to Nicholas' eventual overthrow in 1917
- The Russian Army had 400 mutinies due to low morale and insufficient supplies due to factory workers' not producing supplies due to strikes
30
Date of Peasant Uprisings
June 1905 onwards
31
Short-Term Cause of Peasant Uprisings
There was the breakdown of law and order due to strikes in the cities and the lack of loyal soldiers due to the war. This encourages the Peasants to take action
32
Long-Term Cause of Peasant Uprisings
Central Russia suffers from overcrowding due to a population boom, due to families having a lot of babies
33
Effect of Peasant Uprisings
Peasant uprisings begin in June 1905 and Peasant mobs drive out the Gentry and redistribute their land and property
34
Significance of Peasant Uprisings
The Tsarist Regime now loses the control of the countryside
35
Date of the October Manifesto
October 17, 1905
36
Summary of the October Manifesto
It was drafted by Sergei Witte who convinced the Tsar who did not want this document created nor wanted to sign it that this was the only way that he could preserve his leadership and Tsarism. The Manifesto promised an elected assembly that was based on the British model, a Representative Parliament and that there will be a Prime Minister. It also promises that the people’s civil rights and freedoms will be expanded
37
Short Term Causes of the October Manifesto
- A general strike breaks out in St. Petersburg and 50 other cities across the Empire
- Count Sergei Witte convinces the Tsar that he must promise democratic reforms, or else he risks being overthrown
38
Effect of the October Manifesto
The Tsar issues the October Manifesto, in which he promises a series of liberal reforms. He is going to create a Legislative Duma, hold parliamentary elections and guarantee the civil rights of Russians
39
Significance of the October Manifesto
There are rising and unfulfilled expectations that Russia will become a democracy, which they don’t. The Tsar holds onto his Autocratic power, which fuels discontent, further fuelling revolutionary tensions
40
Years of Pyotr Stolypin's Repression
1906-1909
41
Causes of Pyotr Stolypin's Repression
- The Tsar needed to restore order after the 1905 Revolution
| - The Tsar appoints Pyotr Stolypin as Prime Minister to restore order in April 1906
42
Effect of Pyotr Stolypin's Repression
Stolypin underwent massive systematic repression. He arrested all the leaders of worker’s unions and Soviets, censored or closed all Anti-Regime newspapers, exiled 50,000 people to Siberia and ordered all officials to arrest and kill anybody that they deemed to be a rebel
43
Significance of Pyotr Stolypin's Repression
- In the short-term the Tsarist Regime regains control of the Empire
- In the long-term, this compromises the promise of civil rights that the Tsar made in the October Manifesto, and reinforces the disillusionment and anger, causing a loss of faith in the Regime
44
Year of the First Duma
1906
45
Year of the Second Duma
1907
46
Cause of the First and Second Dumas
The Tsar does create a democratically elected Duma with the First and Second Dumas being dominated by the Kadets and the SR’s. They refused to pass any laws or approve and of the Tsar’s spending until the Tsar agreed to the Duma’s demands, which were constitutional limits on the Tsar’s power, to give the Duma the power to appoint Government ministers and approving a program of land reform
47
Effect of the First and Second Dumas
The Tsar refused to compromise or negotiate. He used his Autocratic which he had reasserted under the Fundamental Laws of the Empire to dismiss the Dumas
48
Significance of the First and Second Dumas
This highlights the Tsar’s poor and unresponsive leadership as he does not recognise that he needs to get Russians to help him to govern. He has broken his promise of a Legislative Duma and reasserted his democratic powers, which leads to the people losing more faith in the Regime
49
Years of the Third Duma
1907-1912
50
Years of the Fourth Duma
1912-1917
51
Cause of the Thrid and Fourth Dumas
In 1907, Prime Minister Stolypin revises the electoral laws, so the Duma’s don't keep on getting dismissed. He came up with a system by which the people voted by their social class and different social classes got different voting powers
52
Effect of the Third and Fourth Dumas
The Third and Fourth Dumas were dominated by the Octobrist Party, who generally supported the Tsarist Regime, which meant that the Duma’s sat their full 5-year terms. However, the Dumas were controlled by the Gentry who elected 60% of the Deputies
53
Significance of the Third and Fourth Dumas
- In the short-term, the Tsar has overcome political opposition from the Duma and reasserted his Autocratic power
- In the long-term, the disillusionment as the Duma’s has not fixed the people’s problems. Since the Duma's are controlled by the Gentry, they are unwilling to pass laws that will lift the workers’ and Peasants’ out of poverty. Overall, these problems remain unresolved and resurfaces in 1917
54
Causes of the Defeats in World War I
- Russian Soldiers were equipped with insufficient equipment as 1 in 3 soldiers were not issued a rifle in 1914 and all soldiers were not issued with winter coats of boots
- The soldiers were poorly trained and the generals exerted poor leadership as they relied on outdated tactics to win the war, which was not successful
55
Effect of Defeats in World War I
The Russian Forces suffered repeated, humiliating defeats which was seen in the Battle of Tannenburg and Masurian Lakes where 400,000 troops were either killed, wounded or captured. In 1915, the Germans launched an offensive that caused the entire Russian frontline to collapse for 4 months. In the Great Retreat, Russia lost Poland and 1 million soldiers were either killed, wounded or captured. Over the first 12 months of the war, Russia loses 4 million men who were either killed, wounded or captured
56
Significance of the Defeats in World War I
Due to these defeats, the Tsarist Regime suffered more criticism. In August 1915, ¾ of the deputies of the Fourth Duma allied themselves in a Progressive Bloc, which demanded that the Duma appoints the Ministers
57
Date of When Tsar Nicholas II Assumes Command of the Army
September 1915
58
Cause of Tsar Nicholas Assuming Command of the Army
Nicholas was growing frustrated by the criticism he was receiving from the Duma, and wanted to improve the morale on the frontline soldiers
59
Effect of Tsar Nicholas Assuming Command of the Army
Nicholas leaves Petrograd and assumes the personal command of the Army in Mogilev, which was 450km away
60
Significance of Tsar Nicholas Assuming Command of the Army
- By assuming command of the Army, Nicholas appears to be personally responsible for the Army’s defeats, which further diminishes his prestige
- Nicholas did not trust his Prime Minister or any of his Ministers to run the country so he leaves his wife, Tsarina Alexandra in charge of the Government, which provoked scandal and outrage
61
Cause of Tsarina Alexandra Working with Grigori Rasputin
Nicholas did not trust his Prime Minister or any of his Ministers to run the country so he leaves his wife, Tsarina Alexandra in charge of the Government, which led to the speculation that she was a spy and a traitor who sought to betray Russia from within due to her German heritage
62
Effect of Tsarina Alexandra Working with Grigori Rasputin
- The Tsarina relied on Peasant Grigori Rasputin for advice and led to rumours that they were having an affair, which tarnished the Tsarina’s reputation. These rumours were widely believed which led to Rasputin being murdered by members of the royal court in December 1916
63
Significance of Tsarina Alexandra Working with Grigori Rasputin
The Tsarina alienated the traditional supporters of the Regime, which meant that when anti-Government protests breaks out, there is nobody left to defend the Tsarist Regime in the capital
64
Date of the February Revolution
February 19, 1917 - March 2, 1917
65
Events of the February Revolution (List 3)
- Bread rationing was announced, which led to panic and bread riots
- There was a week of escalating anti-war and anti-Government strikes and protests. The Tsar and the Tsarina fail to take action to contain the crisis
- The Tsar orders the Army to suppress the protests by force. 50 protestors were shot dead, which led to anger and revulsion, which spreads through the whole capital. The Massacre triggers the mutiny of the Petrograd Army Garrison
- The Tsar is not in the capital and the Government has no solution on how to deal with the chaos of the streets so 12 Duma deputies create the Provisional Government and a group of strikers and mutineers create the Petrograd Soviet. These two forces of power demand that the Tsar abdicate the throne
- Tsar Nicholas II abdicates the throne. Russia becomes a Republic
66
Date of Duel Authority
March - October 1917
67
Summary of Duel Authority
During this period, there were two institutions that were cooperating to govern Russia; the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. These two groups could uncomfortably cooperate for the first few months
68
What was the Provisional Government?
A self-appointed Government of 12 former Duma deputies, which does not give them much legitimacy or support
69
Goals of the Provisional Government (List 2)
- To maintain law and order
- Fight until total victory in World War I
- Organise elections for a Constituent Assembly
70
Supporters of the Provisional Government
Elite Society
71
Powers of the Provisional GovernmentE
Controlled all of the former Tsarist Government’s Ministries and senior Army Officers
72
Who led the Provisional Government?
The Kadets who had a Liberal Reformest Outlook
73
Summary of the Provisional Government
Had responsibility but no power
74
What was the Petrograd Soviet?
A democratically elected assembly that gained a lot of support from the workers and soldiers and represented their interests
75
Goals of the Petrograd Soviet
- To fight until they can achieve a fair peace treaty with Germany
- To convince the Government to protect the rights of workers and Peasants
76
Supporters of the Petrograd Soviet
- Rank-and-file Soldiers
| - Common Army Soldiers
77
Who led the Petrograd Soviet?
- Mensheviks
| - SR's
78
Summary of the Petrograd Soviet
Had power but no responsibility
79
Date of the Publication of the April Thesis
April 7, 1917
80
Cause of Lenin's Return to Russia
Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin arrived in Russia and sought to exploit the political situation to carry out a Socialist Revolution and seize power
81
Effect of Lenin's Return to Russia
He published his April Theses of April 7, 1917 which outlined the immediate objectives of the Bolshevik’s. He believes that the Soviets should have all power and the Provisional Government should be overthrown and be replaced by a Republic of Soviets (Workers’ Councils). Lenin also believes that a Soviet Government would immediately negotiate peace and redistribute wealth, hence the phrase “Peace, Bread and Land”
82
Significancce of Lenin's Return to Russia and the Publication of the April Thesis
Lenin skilfully exploited the discontent of the workers, Peasants and soldiers and promised immediate solutions to their grievances. This saw the Bolshevik's to grow from 20,000 to 350,000, when they seized power. This helped them to win elections across Russia
83
Date of the June Offensive
June 18, 1917 - July 6, 1917
84
Cause of the June Offensve
The new War Minister, Alexander Kerensky wanted to revitalise Patrianism and the support for the Government. He launches an offensive against Austria-Hungary, which does not work
85
Effect of the June Offensive
- Due to the democratisation of the Army, everybody votes on everything. Soldier committees now vote not to participate in the offensive
- 48 Battalions were mutinied and 400,000 soldiers deserted
- The offensive is a failure and the Germans Austrian-Hungarians counter-attack, which led to 400,000 Russian casualties
86
Significance of the June Offensive
The June Offensive highlighted the Provisional Government’s weakness, as they cannot effectively control the Army. It also simultaneously highlighted the appeal of the Bolshevik promise of peace
87
Date of the July Days
July 4, 1917
88
Causes of the July Days
- Lenin’s phrase “All Power to the Soviets” is gaining traction and there is growing demand for immediate peace
- All soldiers that do not want to be sent to the frontline mutiny and stage anti-Government demonstrations in the capital
89
Effects of the July Days
- 50,000 armed protestors take to the streets and chant “All Power to the Soviets”, demanding the overthrow of the Provisional Government
- Lenin refuses to take leadership of the protests because he believes that the Bolshevik's yet do not have enough support, and therefore the protest movement is crushed by pro-Government forces
90
Significance of the July Days
- The Bolshevik's are blamed for the protests. 800 Bolshevik's are arrested and Lenin flees Petrograd and goes into hiding and Trotsky is thrown into prison. The Bolshevik's are now weakened
- Lenin concluded that “power cannot be taken peacefully” and decides that the party must seize power in a Coup d’ état
91
Date of the Kornilov Affair
August 26-28, 1917
92
Causes of the Kornilov Affair
- Alexander Kerensky has been promoted from War Minister to Prime Minister and has appointed a new commander in chief of the Army, General Lavr Kornilov. Kornilov decided to launch a Coup d’ état and overthrow Kerensky, the Petrograd Soviet, arrest all of the Bolshevik's and impose a military dictatorship
- Kerensky panics and calls on the Petrograd Soviet to help defend Petrograd from attack, and distributes rifled to anybody who is willing to help and defend Petrograd
93
Effect of the Kornilov Affair
Even though their leaders are in prison, the Bolshevik's take charge of the defence of Petrograd from Kornilov’s troops. They mobilise 40,000 Red Guards to defend the capital from attack. However, the attack never takes place as the Railway Unions take strike and refuse to bring Kornilov's troops into the capital. Kornilov turns himself in for arrest on August 28
94
Significance of the Kornilov Affair
- Kerensky and his Provisional Government appears weak and powerless as his own commander in chief tried to overthrow him
- The Bolshevik's however appear powerful and competent as they have just saved the capital. This does a lot to repair their reputation after the scandal of the ‘July Days’ and acts as a rehearsal as they can use these methods to seize power in October
95
Year of the October Revolution
1917
96
Summary of the October Revolution
- The Bolshevik's have a majority in the Petrograd Soviet and Leon Trotsky passes a motion to create a Military Revolutionary Committee (MRC), which means the Soviet is now taking direct control of the Army. Pro-Government officers were arrested and replaced with Bolshevik officers
- Prime Minister Kerensky orders the closure of Bolshevik newspapers and the MRC Chairman, Leon Trotsky sees this as an attack on Soviet democracy. Trotsky launches a Bolshevik Coup
- Trotsky directs the MRC to direct pro-Bolshevik soldiers, sailors and Red Guards to seize control of railway stations, cutting Petrograd off from the outside world
- The MRC seizes the Winter Palace and arrests the Government. Lenin convinces the Second Congress of Soviets to create a Soviet Government, The Council of People’s Commissars which will govern with all of the Soviets across Russia
