Nature of Government - Ideology, organs of government, reform, opposition

What was the main goal of working class consciousness formed in 1898?

To improve pay and reduce working hours for the workers.

Who created the Union of Liberation in 1904 and what was its demand?

Struve created the Union of Liberation, which demanded greater freedoms, more land distribution, improved conditions for workers, and a representative Constituent Assembly.

What did the Kadets support after the 1905 October Manifesto?

They supported the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

What were the restrictions on opposition to the Tsars before 1905?

Increased censorship, a police state, and limited political power for groups.

What was Lenin's 'April Thesis'?

It was a plan to overthrow the Provisional Government and place all power with the Soviet.

What was the outcome of the elections for the Constituent Assembly in November 1917?

The SRs won 370 seats while the Bolsheviks won only 175 seats.

What was the Kornilov Affair?

General Kornilov attempted a takeover of power, but it was put down by Kerensky with the support of the Bolsheviks.

What was the result of Lenin's policies during the Civil War (1917-1921)?

The Bolsheviks faced much opposition, including from the White Army, Green Army, and several foreign countries.

What did Lenin do in 1921 after the victory of the Red Army?

He banned all other political parties and factionalism within the Bolshevik party.

What was the Triumvirate/Troika formed by leading Bolsheviks?

It consisted of Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Stalin, who opposed Trotsky.

What major event occurred as a result of Stalin's power struggle?

He removed Trotsky as commissar for war in 1925 and subsequently exiled him.

What was the impact of collectivization on peasants?

Many peasants refused to cooperate and protested by slaughtering cattle.

What initiated the unrest among peasants after the Emancipation Edict of 1861?

Unrest over redemption payments, land distribution, and rising prices.

How did workers oppose their working conditions from 1855-1964?

They engaged in strikes and protests over pay, conditions, and hours.

What was a key factor in the rise of unrest among workers during World War I?

Strikes were officially banned but continued, fueled by dissatisfaction over conditions.

What was Khrushchev's approach to political dissent?

He ended purging and tolerated more critical opinions.

How did Lenin’s War Communism affect peasant support?

It led to peasants turning to support the White Army due to grain requisitioning.

What was the Communist attitude toward political change initially?

They aimed for revolutionary change but became focused on consolidating power once in control.

What was the overall nature of governance under both the Tsars and Communists?

Both were autocratic with unlimited power, but the Communists employed greater force and repression.

What were the key political beliefs of the Tsars regarding democracy?

Tsars believed they were accountable only to God, viewed democracy as impractical due to the Empire's size and the peasants' lack of education.

How did Alexander II's reforms affect the stability of his rule?

Reforms like emancipation were made to prevent revolution, but his reform program ended after an assassination attempt.

What was the purpose of Alexander III's 'Manifesto on Unshakeable Autocracy'?

To reassert the authority of the Tsars and reinforce autocratic rule.

What was the significance of the October Manifesto under Nicholas II?

It appeared to offer a move towards democracy but was limited by the Fundamental Laws of 1906.

How did the Bolsheviks establish a dictatorship after the removal of the Tsars?

By promising greater freedoms while consolidating power through the Bolshevik Revolution and disbanding the Constituent Assembly.

What was War Communism and its aim during the Civil War?

It involved forced requisitioning of produce and aimed to enforce cooperation among the populace.

What was the NEP and why was it introduced?

The New Economic Policy was introduced to appease peasants and more moderate workers after the Civil War.

How did Stalin's policies transform the Soviet regime?

He established a command economy, enforced collectivization, and created a 'Cult of Personality' around himself.

What changes did Khrushchev implement in terms of censorship and political repression?

He relaxed censorship and released political prisoners but maintained central control and used force when necessary.

What were the Zwei-class systems created under the Tsarist and Communist governments?

The Tsars used hierarchical structures like the Council of Ministers, while Communists used the Congress of Soviets and Central Executive Committee.

How did local government change under the Tsars versus the Communists?

Zemstva and Duma introduced under the Tsars provided some local governance, but were abolished by Bolsheviks and replaced with Soviets.

What impact did the Legal reforms of 1864 have on the Russian judiciary?

Created a jury system, new courts, and allowed public attendance, though later reversed by Alexander III, centralizing power in the police.

How did the secret police evolve throughout both Tsarist and Communist regimes?

The Third Section, Okhrana, Cheka, NKVD, and MVD evolved with increasing brutality and purpose throughout each regime.

What role did propaganda play under the Tsars and Communists?

Both used it to promote their rule, with the Tsars focusing on popularity and the Communists emphasizing ideology and productivity.

What was the significance of the Populist movement and its attempts to influence peasants?

It aimed to educate and empower peasants but ultimately failed due to disagreements and lack of success.

How did opposition to the Tsars manifest prior to 1905?

Political groups like the Populists, Social Democrats, and Social Revolutionaries existed despite being illegal and attempted various forms of revolt.