CAMBRIDGEASHISTORYREVISION

THERUSSIANREVOLUTION19051917

QUESTIONSANDANSWERS

QUESTION1PAG140What were living conditions like for the peasantry in Russia before the 1905 Russian Revolution?

QUESTION1PAG140The following points could be made about life for the Russian peasants before 1905:• Although technically ‘free’ following the emancipation under Alexander II in 1861, they often lived in poverty.• They had to make redemption payments (due for 49 years for the land they received under the emancipation) and were forced to pay taxes and provide services.• Poor harvests led to famines.• The lack of efficient transport systems meant that food could not be transported over long distances, so peasants had to rely on what could be grown locally.• Agricultural methods were backward and inefficient, meaning that output was low.• There was some variety in the conditions of peasants, depending on factors such as where they lived, quality of soil, etc. Those living near large towns had the advantage of a sizeable market for their produce.• Many peasants were members of mirs (communes) – because the land was owned in common with other members of the commune, peasants were often prevented from developing new methods. (see pages 138–40)

QUESTION2PAG140What were the social instabilities in Russian society at the start of the 20th century?

QUESTION2PAG140Social instabilities include the following:• Russia was comprised of people from many different ethnic groups; the only thing they had in common was loyalty to the tsar, although this grew strained when Nicholas II introduced his policy of ‘Russification’.• The tsar was hopelessly out of touch with the feelings of his subjects and determined to pursue an autocratic style of rule.• The vast majority of people were peasants – poor, vulnerable to the effects of bad harvests and burdened with taxes.• The lack of modernisation in agricultural methods.• Relatively poor transport.• Social inequalities – money that Russia made from the export of wheat went to wealthy landowners, who paid less in taxes than the peasants.• The tsar spent heavily on the army and police, and invested little in modernisation and reform. (see pages 138–40)

QUESTION1PAG147Do you think that 1906 was a missed opportunity for the tsar?

QUESTION1PAG147It could be argued that the 1905 Revolution should have alerted Tsar Nicholas II to the major problems facing Russia. The rising resentment of the peasant population, growing nationalist unrest, the country’s vulnerability to poor harvests and economic recession, and the growing demands for political rights all combined to undermine the traditional loyalty of the Russian people for their tsar, leading to the events of 1905.In issuing the October Manifesto, which promised free speech and an elected assembly, Nicholas effectively split the supporters of the revolution – most believed that their voices had been heard and that things would change. It was only the more radical elements, such as the Bolsheviks, that were not satisfied. Nicholas’s decision to undermine the October Manifesto by issuing the Fundamental Laws in 1906, together with his determination to maintain an autocratic style of rule, effectively meant that the problems which led to the 1905 Revolution had not been adequately addressed and were likely to recur. (see pages 138–47)

QUESTION2PAG147To what extent did the 1905 Revolution critically weaken Nicholas II’s hold over the Russian Empire?

QUESTION2PAG147In essence, little changed as a result of the 1905 Revolution. Nicholas II remained an autocratic ruler, dependent on the support of the army and the police. As long as he had this support, he would be able to continue in power. (see pages 144–7)

QUESTION3PAG147What do you think was the most important cause of the 1905 Revolution?

QUESTION3PAG147Students should identify the causes of the 1905 Revolution and then prioritise them in order of their relative significance. This requires judgements to be made, based upon careful analysis and evaluation and supported by factual evidence. Causes to be considered include:• Russia’s humiliating defeat against Japan• the poor economic condition of the peasantry• economic recession in the early 20th century• growing nationalist unrest amongst Russia’s ethnic populations, enhanced by Nicholas’s policy of Russification• the rise of political groups demanding increased democracy (e.g. the SDLP)• Nicholas’s determination to maintain autocratic control and his use of armed force to repress opposition. (see pages 138–47)

QUESTION1PAG151What could Nicholas II have done to prevent revolution in 1905?

QUESTION1PAG151Answers might include the following:• The tsar could have shown more willingness to listen to his subjects, demonstrating greater understanding of and sympathy for their problems.• He could have developed a different, fairer and more efficient system of taxation.• He could have supported attempts to modernise Russia’s agricultural, industrial and transport infrastructures, such as those attempted by Witte.• Monies from Russian exports of wheat could have been used more effectively.• He could have allowed a Duma-like assembly to have some, albeit limited, say in running the country. (see pages 138–51)

QUESTION2PAG151Do you think that Nicholas II was prepared to prevent the revolution in 1905?

QUESTION2PAG151Doing any of these things would have undermined Nicholas’s basic belief in his autocratic rights. Such actions would have lost him the support of the wealthy landowners and, in all probability, of the army as well. (see pages 138–51)

QUESTION3PAG151What were the goals of the proletariat and why did they find it difficult to achieve these?

QUESTION3PAG151The proletariat sought improved living and working conditions:• a maximum working week• factory inspections to ensure that laws were enforced• improved health and insurance provision• the right to form trade unions.Relatively small in number, isolated in different towns, lacking education, denied political rights and forbidden to join together in trade unions, it was difficult for the proletariat to formalise their demands. The tsar continued to use repressive measures to put down working class demonstrations and strikes. (see pages 148–51)

QUESTION1PAG157The political situation in Russia at the time of the tsar’s abdication was complex. What groups were in place to take power at that time?

QUESTION1PAG157Groups included:• Cadets: middle class, who wanted a constitution similar to that of Britain.• Social Revolutionaries: wanted a peasant revolution.• Communists (Mensheviks and Bolsheviks): wanted a working-class revolution.• Provisional Government: following Grand Duke Michael’s refusal to take the position of tsar, a Provisional Government was established, led firstly by Prince Lvov (Cadet) and subsequently by the leader of a Socialist coalition, Kerensky. (see pages 156–7)

QUESTION2PAG157Which of these groups do you think was in the best position to bring about the revolution that Russia needed in order to reform?

QUESTION2PAG157The political parties that formed the Provisional Government were middle class, willing to give political freedoms, but they were not revolutionaries. They did not want to redistribute land to the peasants; nor did they want to end Russia’s involvement in the First World War.The Provisional Government was opposed by the Soviet, and this provided the opportunity for Bolshevik success. (see pages 156–7)

QUESTION1PAG166How dangerous was the 1905 Revolution to Nicholas II?

QUESTION1PAG166The 1905 Revolution highlighted fundamental problems within Russia – problems that worsened as Russia failed to achieve success in the war. Nicholas II was able to survive the revolution and, very quickly, to restore full autocratic control. This blinded him to the fact that the very issues that had led to the 1905 Revolution had not been addressed and were likely to cause problems in the future. (see pages 138–47)

QUESTION2PAG166Which do you think was the more important factor in the Bolsheviks’ victory in 1917 – the weakness of the Provisional Government, the effects of the First World War or Lenin’s Leadership? Give reasons for your choice.

QUESTION2PAG166The question requires a judgement to be made, followed by the development of a balanced argument supported by accurate factual evidence. The best answers will show an awareness of how the various causal factors were interconnected. Relevant content would include:a) The Provisional Government: moderate middle-class politicians, who were unable to balance the conflicting demands of reforming and radical factions. It lacked the strength to restore order and faced growing opposition from both peasants and soviets. The government’s hope that ongoing involvement in the war would unite Russians through nationalism failed.

QUESTION2PAG166 cont.b) Effects of the First World War: a major factor in the demise of the tsar, the war was equally a problem for the Provisional Government. The Russian army continued to suffer humiliating defeats, leading to rebellions within the armed forces.c) Lenin’s leadership: Lenin brought order and discipline to the Bolsheviks. His oratory skills enabled him to encourage greater support and he made effective use of slogans and propaganda. His calls for the end of Russian involvement in the First World War grew increasingly popular. (see pages 158–66)