Wiser World - 1

Question 1

Start and end of USSR.

Answer 1

Treaty of creation
30 Dec 1922.

Formal dissolution
26 Dec 1991.

Question 2

Vladimir Lenin

Answer 2

1870-1924

Founder and leader of the Bolsheviks and the early Soviet Union.

Devout follower of Karl Marx.

Wanted a classless, egalitarian society of workers free from exploitation who could control their own destiny.

Believed that before pure communism could be reached a socialist society must be developed.

Question 3

The Bolsheviks

Answer 3

Early 20th century - Two factions of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (RSDLP).

Bolshevik = “majority” and
Menshivik = “minority”.

Bolsheviks, or Reds, came to power during the October Revolution. Founded the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

After the Civil War, the RSFSR became the main body to initiate and establish the USSR.

Question 4

The October Revolution

Answer 4

Petrograd 7 Nov 1917.

Led by Lenin and the Bolshevik Party.

An end to “Dual Power” and dissolution of Russian Provisional Gvmt.

Precipitating event of the Russian Civil War.

Question 5

The Russian Civil War

Question 6

What led up to Bloody Sunday?

Answer 6

a) Industrial workers angered by poor working conditions,
b) Recession,
c) Dismissal of workers,
d) Homelessness/poverty,
e) Food price increases,
f) War with Japan (50k dead).

Question 7

The February Revolution

Answer 7

The first of 2 revolutions in 1917.
Took place 8-16 March in Petrograd
(now St Petersburg) the then-capital).

Social unrest and dissatisfaction caused by:
a) Economic problems made worse by involvement in WWI,
b) Huge casualties in the war = demoralization,
c) Food & fuel shortages due to collapse of transport system,
d) Poor leadership by Tsar Nicholas II.

Question 8

The Russian Revolution

Answer 8

A period of political and social change from 1917 to 1922.

Includes Feb and Oct Revolutions, and Russian Civil War.

Marked the end of the Romanov dynasty and Russian Monarchy.

Creation of USSR
30 Dec 1922.

Question 9

The Russian Provisional Government

Answer 9

Established immediately after abdication of Nicholas II March 1922.

Lasted eight months and ceased to exist after the October Revolution.

Question 11

Explain the events of Bloody Sunday

Answer 11

Dissatisfied industrial worker led by Priest Georgy Gapon marched to the winter palace of Tsar Nicholas II to present their request for better work conditions. Peaceful assembly.

The Tsar was not home. His uncle, The Grand Duke and Chief of Police ordered the police to open fire on demonstrators.

A couple of hundred killed.
Several hundred wounded.

Wide-spread strikes followed across Russia.