Russian Revolution Lecture Notes

Flashcards to help review key vocabulary related to the Russian Revolution

Who was Sergei Witte?

Finance Minister for Russia from 1892 - 1903; put the Russian currency (the ruble) onto the gold standard, increased taxes, introduces tariffs on imports, relied heavily on foreign direct investment.

The Working Class in 1897

By 1897, there were 14 million people who identified as members of the working class – about 12% of the entire population. Working conditions were terrible – low pay, long hours, no trade unions.

Peasant Grievances

They may be free people, but they still bear the brunt of taxes, which they deeply resent; demand direct ownership of the land, the elimination of redemption payments, fairer tax systems, and the right to vote.

Short Term Causes of Rebellion

Trade recession begins in 1899, placing pressure on land ownership; rural population increase by 1/4 and the average size of a peasant’s land holding goes down by 20%; bad harvests leading to higher food prices and inflation.

Russification

Policy of discrimination; for instance, the Jewish population were forced to live in the Pale of Settlement, taxes on Jewish people were enforced, and attacks (known as pogroms) were carried out.

Russo-Japanese War (1904)

War occurs over territorial disputes regarding Korea and Manchuria; proves to be a source of national humiliation for Russia.

Mirsky

Took over the role of Interior Minister in July 1904; allowed for a meeting of the Zemstva, the village council, in November in St. Petersburg; council demanded a constitution.

Bloody Sunday

Event on 22 January 1905, led by Father Gapon, where peaceful protestors marched to the Winter Palace in St Petersburg with expectations of talking to the Tsar; imperial forces open fired on the protestors. 200 800 7000

protestors were killed or wounded, sparking nationwide protests and unrest.

October Manifesto

Published October 17; an attempt to bribe some of the opposition; seemed to agree to much of the protestors’ demands; established a national assembly – known as a Duma.

Peter Stolypin

Elected Prime Minister in 1906, remained in position until death in 1911; determined to issue a combination of repressions and concessions; eliminated redemption payments.

Lena Goldfields Massacre

Event on 17 April 1912 where workers carried out a strike demanding a reduction of working hours, a 30% increase in wages, and better food; military troops sent in, 270 were left dead, and a further 250 wounded.

Schlieffen Plan

Germany would send most of its army west, defeat France in 6 weeks, and then tackle Russia; Germany mobilizing first.

Franz Ferdinand

Heir of the Austrian throne – and his wife were murdered on 28 June 1914, in Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia), which had been annexed by Austria- Hungary in 1908; Austria delivered the ultimatum to Serbia in July: leading to WWI

Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff

Commanders of the German army; inflicted great defeat onto Russia; Russia incurred loses and damage

Nicholas II

Russia's commander-in-chief of the Russian army after Great Retreat in 1915; appointed his wife Alexandra to resume his role

Inflation During WWI

Russia suffered hyperinflation because 98% of Russia’s bank notes were backed by gold in 1914. Between 1914-1917, the state spend over 1.5 billion rubles on the war. Wages doubled, but prices quadrupled.

Food Shortages During WWI

Petrograd (formerly and currently known as St. Petersburg) prioritized food; more people migrated to towns and cities in search of food, not realising it was more plentiful in the countryside leading to overcrowding and overpopulating in cities.

February Revolution

Workers of Putilov Factory announced a strike to demand higher wages because of rising prices of food and goods; female protestors demonstrating for International Women’s Day

Petrograd Soviet (of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies)

Established on February 27th; comprised of Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, and Socialist Revolutionaries; Kerensky was elected vice-chairman.

Nicholas II Abdication

Advised by generals on the train to abdicate, both for the sake of the country and the war; the end of the 300-year-old Romanov dynasty.

Provisional Government

Dual power; Comprised of middle- and upper-class deputies of the Duma. The first Prime Minister was Prince Lvov. Had no mandate to rule, not any legitimacy.

Petrograd Soviet

Dual power; Comprised of Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, and Socialist Revolutionaries. Were much more politically radical, as they were dominated by the left. Forced the provisional government to agree to the first decree that the government would only be respected if the Soviet agrees with them.

Lenin's Return

Germany offered Lenin (Switzerland rn) transport to Russia, wanting him to rebel, get Russia and stop the war, releasing its of German troops, and relocating them against the British and the French to finally beat them

April Theses

Lenin returns and publishes 10 theses talking about his ideas/views calling for the overthrow of the government , as well as all power to go to the Soviets.

Causes of Bolshevik/October Revolution

Russian Provisional Government insistence on casualties, war weariness, and defeatism increase. Appoints Alexander Kerensky is the Minister of Justice and Lavr Kornilov the Supreme Commander in Chief

The July Days

Were spontaneous armed demonstrations by soldiers, sailors, and industrial workers. The uprising was a failure, as the government had enough troops in Petrograd to suppress it.

Trotsky Secures Support

The army do not directly help the Bolshevik cause, but they do not hinder it.