Nicholas II (Ascension - October Manifesto)

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  • Created by: LucyLaa
  • Created on: 03-07-17 09:52
What were the 4 key issues facing Nicholas II at the beginning of his rule?
Poor preparation in statecraft; Brutal repression created more extreme underground oppositon; Indecisive and stubborn; Modernisation was still very behind Europe
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What happened at Khodynka Field?
Muscovited went to celebrate Nicholas's coronation, but when it was announced that the Romanov's would visit, people stampeded and 1400 people died (a bad omen).
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Was Nicholas II ill-suited to ruling Russia?
Partly - he would have been an excellent ruler had he been better trained in politics - very intelligent and empathetic, although he was indecisive and easily influenced. His military training made him reliant on violent methods.
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What was the state of Russian agriculture at the start of his reign?
Very backwards - rural population increased by 20% between 1900-1914, small holdings, old fashioned farming methods e.g. '***** farming'
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Who was Prime Minister between 1906 - 1911?
Pyotr Stolypin
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Name 3 of Stolypin's agricultural reforms
Peasant Land Bank; Redemption Payments cancelled; Peasants freed from mir control; Encouraged migration to Siberia in 1910
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What was Stolypin's 'Necktie' policy?
A new court system that made it easier to arrest and execute revolutionaries. Over 3,000 were hanged between 1906 and 1909
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How successful were Stolypin's reforms?
Not very - only 10% left communes and developed successful farms but over 2 million left, reducing the number of rural workers; wealthy 'best peasants' (kulaks) were not satisfied by reforms; there was more class antagonism
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Who was Stolypin's successor?
Sergei Witte
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Name 3 of Witte's industrial reforms
Production increased by 55%; 30,580 miles of new railway (Trans-Siberian still incomplete by 1914); Rouble put on Gold Standard in 1897; Foreign loans; Production tariffs were set up to safeguard home industry
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How successful were Witte's reforms?
Very successful - Made a huge difference to industry and economy, despite miltary pressures. However, the Spurt caused recession and was bad for peasants in particular. He also neglected agriculture and light industry.
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Who was Karl Marx?
A German Philosopher, who published 'The Communist Manifesto'. His ideas greatly influenced the Intelligentsia.
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Name the 5 main political groups in Russia
Social Democrats (Bolsheviks and Mensheviks), Socialist Revolutionaries, Liberals (Octoberists and Kadets)
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What were the aims of the Bolsheviks? How did this differ from the Mensheviks?
Followed Leninism-Marxism vs Orthodox Marxism; Vanguard party of revolutionary elite vs large party of many people; Violent tendencies vs more peaceful methods
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Which party gained the most support from Russian peasants?
Socialist Revolutionaries
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What were the main causes of the 1905 revolution?
Long-term discontent (workers, peasants, alienated intelligentsia, revolutionaries, national minorites); Government policy (indecisive, Great Spurt); Russo-Japanese war (questioned NII's effectiveness as leader); Bloody Sunday (destroyed trust).
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What was Bloody Sunday?
A peaceful demonstration led by Father Gapon, which panicked guards and led to an unwarranted massacre of the general public.
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What occured during the 1905 Revolution?
Over 1000 people were killed during the general strikes, armed uprisings and jacqueries. There were some mutinies (e.g. Potemkin) but the army remained loyal, although the breakdown of railways prevented effective use of them.
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What was the response to the 1905 Revolution?
The October Manifesto - proposed freedom of speech, religion and civil rights. He also created the First Duma.
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Why did the 1906 Fundamental Law undermine the Duma?
It maintained Nicholas II as the supreme political power.
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Why did the First Duma ('The Duma of Public Anger') not achieve much?
It was dominated by radical Kadets and Trudoviks who were hostile to government and made many demands for change. Nicholas was unwilling to co-operate and antagonised by the aggression demonstrated. He dissolved the Duma in June 1906, after 3 months.
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Why was the Second Duma (February - June 1907) unsuccessful?
Although there were fewer Kadets, it was still too radical for Con Liberals and not enough for the peasants and workers. It was polarised, and still too hostile to government and Stolypin's Land Reform. (FAMINE RELIEF was co-operative)
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Why was the Third Duma ('Duma of Lords and Lackeys') more successful? (1907 - 1912)
Stolypin influenced election so that it consisted mainly of people loyal to the Tsar. There was more trust, so major reforms were passed to strengthen military, re-instate JPs, and introduce state-run insurance schemes for workers.
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How did the Fourth Duma (1912 - 1914) influence the 1917 Revolution?
The 'Progressive Bloc' was created and outraged Duma members formed the Provisional Government.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What happened at Khodynka Field?

Back

Muscovited went to celebrate Nicholas's coronation, but when it was announced that the Romanov's would visit, people stampeded and 1400 people died (a bad omen).

Card 3

Front

Was Nicholas II ill-suited to ruling Russia?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What was the state of Russian agriculture at the start of his reign?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who was Prime Minister between 1906 - 1911?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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