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The Russian Revolution Exam | Questions And Answers Latest {} A+ Graded | 100% Verified
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The Russian Revolution Exam | Questions And Answers Latest {2024- 2025} A+ Graded |100% Verified
Who was Nicholas II? - - Nicholas II was of the royal Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia for nearly
300 years.
- He had little education but could speak English, French, German, which he preferred over Russian,
believing it was the language of peasants.
- He became Tsar in 1894, set on following the hardline policies of his father, Alexander III; promising "I
shall maintain the principle of autocracy just as firmly as did my unforgettable father.
- He kept his promise throughout his reign, resisting change. The circumstances within Russia altered.
- Nicholas believed that the reforms introduced by his grandfather, in the mid 19th century had
weakened Russia, especially the emancipation of the serfs.
What made Nicholas II an ineffective ruler? - - Isolated at court and uninterested in matters of
government- preferred to go hunting rather than ministered meetings.
- Was easily persuadable by advice, usually from courtiers who opposed reforms.
- His ministers were typically chosen because of their social position rather than ability, they competed
for attention rather than co-operate or offer subjective advice.
- Nicholas was a devoted husband and father but was disastrously out of touch with the feelings of his
subjects.
- He was personally a kind man
- His only son suffered from hemophilia- it was doubtful he would survive to adulthood, which left
doubts over his succession to the throne, playing a significant part in the instability of Nicholas's regime.
Who was Alexander II? - - Ascended the throne during the Crimean War (1853-56) and immediately set
about negotiating peace.
- Alexander embarked upon a modernization and reform program; the most important was the
emancipation of the serfs.
- He was succeeded by his son Alexander III
- Alexander III had opposed any reforms in Russia, believing they threatened his own power and the
ancient traditions on which Romanov dynasty had been built. He considered the innovations being
developed in the West as unsuitable for his own country.
,What was Russification? - - Alexander imposed severe Russification; different ethnic groups demanding
rights and autonomy (like Poland) would be forced to read, write, be Russian in order to suppress ethnic
revolt
What was the emancipation of the Serfs? - - Alexander II freed the peasants/serfs in 1861, they could
own property and marry without their landlords permission but were not allowed to leave the peasant
community freely.
- The emancipation still left most peasants in poverty as most peasants were still burdened with
redemption payments for the land they had granted for.
Explain the power of the Tsar - - The tsar appointed and dismisses ministers; there was no parliament to
limit his authority.
- At the start of Nicholas's reign in 1894, the Zemstva, which had been set up by Alexander II, maintained
some responsibility, but were always under the supervision of the Tsar's officials.
- The Zemstva provided a form of self-government for villages and larger areas of the Russian
population, but the system was not adopted in areas populated by ethnic minorities.
- Governors and other officials who generally opposed reforms could overrule the limited powers of the
Zemstva.
- The army put down violent unrest and the police kept political dissidents under control.
-The Orthodox Church and its leading official Konstantin Pobedonostsev fully supported the Tsar's rule.
Explain the rule of the Tsar regarding the state council and the senate - - The state council had no
power: its members were mostly old men who were appointed because of long service to the state
rather for their vigor and skill in managing affairs. Usually appointed for life, by the Tsar but he could
dismiss them if he wished. Members tended to give him the advice that they knew would be welcomed,
rather than what they truly believed to be in Russia's best interests.
- The Tsar also appointed members of the senate. This body was supposed to oversee administration but
the system was confused and the powers of the senate were unclear. There were many local officials
whose responsibility was uncertain.
What was Russia's administrative regions like? - - Russia was made up of 97 administrative regions, far
more than was necessary to govern such a large country.
- Towns and large cities were governed by appointed rather than elected officials.
- Overall, Russia was administered much less effectively than the more modern states in Western
Europe.
, What were the main causes of the Russo-Japanese War? - - By 1900, China was extremely weak and
suffering from internal conflict with a poor government.
- Both Japan and Russia saw the possibility of expanding their influence in Manchuria, eastern China,
and Korea.
- Port Arthur in Manchuria offered Russia an ice-free harbor, which would be useful because its other
ports were either in Arctic North or on the Black Sea, with difficult access to other oceans.
- Japan suggested that Russia could take control of Manchuria if Japan itself could have Korea. However,
these negotiations broke down and war broke out in 1904, after Japan attacked Port Arthur.
What was the state of the Russian army? - - The poor quality of the Russian navy was demonstrated
when ships had to be sent from the Baltic in the west to confront the Japanese navy.
- The fleet suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Tsushima on 27-28 May 1905- in a stunning
victory for the Japanese, two-thirds of the Russian fleet was destroyed, demoralizing the surviving
Russian sailors.
- The Russian army, larger than the Japanese but inferior in quality, failed to prevent the capture of
Mukden, the capital of Manchuria.
What were the causes of the Russo-Japanese War? - - Russia had to agree a humiliating peace in the
Treaty of Portsmouth in 1905.
- Japan began to be regarded as a more modern and efficient state- the first in Asia to defeat a European
country.
- Russia's weaknesses were revealed and turned its international interests from the east to the Balkans,
with consequences that eventually led to the First World War.
- Internally, the defeat was a serious blow to the prestige of the tsarist government.
- The Russo-Japanese War was a major cause of the 1905 Revolution.
What were the causes of the 1905 Revolution? - -The Russian Revolution of 1905 was not a sudden
event, but rather the culmination of ears of discontent caused by several factors:
- The poor economic condition of the peasantry, who had seen little improvement in their lives following
emancipation.
- The autocratic nature of Nicholas II's rule, which distanced him from the population.
- An economic recession in the early years of the 20th century, resulting in high rates of unemployment.
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