Russia: Tsardom and Communism (1894-1945)

What were the key weaknesses of Nicholas II as Tsar?

He was stubborn, resistant to reform, poor at decision-making, easily influenced by advisers (especially Alexandra & Rasputin), and out of touch with Russia’s problems.

What was Nicholas II’s attitude toward autocracy?

He believed strongly in the divine right of the Tsar and refused to share power, making reform difficult and opposition more intense

What were the main social problems in Russia under Nicholas II?

Extreme poverty, rapid urbanisation causing overcrowding, dangerous working conditions, food shortages, and rising discontent among peasants and workers.

What caused the 1905 Revolution?

Bloody Sunday, poor working conditions, defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, political repression, and peasant/worker unrest.

What happened on Bloody Sunday (1905)?

Peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon marched to the Winter Palace; troops opened fire, killing hundreds. This triggered nationwide strikes and unrest.

What was the October Manifesto (1905)?

A promise of civil liberties and a state Duma (parliament) to calm unrest. It temporarily saved Nicholas’s rule.

Why was the Duma ineffective?

Nicholas limited its power, changed election rules to favour the wealthy, dismissed any Dumas that challenged him, and retained control over the army and ministers.

How did Rasputin weaken the Tsar’s reputation?

His influence over Alexandra, scandalous behaviour, and role in government during WWI damaged the monarchy’s credibility.

Why was WWI disastrous for Nicholas II?

Huge military losses, food shortages, economic collapse, poor leadership, Nicholas taking personal command of the army, and leaving Alexandra/Rasputin to run the government.

What were the causes of the February Revolution (1917)?

WWI failures, economic collapse, strikes in Petrograd, loss of army support, and long-term resentment of autocracy.

Why did Nicholas II abdicate in 1917?

The army refused to support him, Petrograd was in revolt, and the Duma insisted he step down.

What happened to the Romanov family after the abdication?

They were placed under arrest and eventually executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

What were Lenin’s key beliefs?

Marxism, leading a vanguard party, dictatorship of the proletariat, and overthrow of capitalism through revolution.

What was the April Theses (1917)?

Lenin’s demands: “Peace, Bread, Land,” “All power to the Soviets,” immediate end to war, and rejection of the Provisional Government.

Why was the Provisional Government unpopular?

Continued WWI, food shortages, land issues unresolved, weak authority, and reliance on the old Tsarist structures.

How did the Bolsheviks take power in October 1917?

They used the Red Guards to seize key Petrograd buildings, stormed the Winter Palace, and arrested the Provisional Government with little resistance.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918)?

A harsh peace treaty with Germany that took Russia out of WWI but lost huge amounts of land and resources. Very unpopular.

Why did the Russian Civil War break out (1918–1921)?

Anti-Bolshevik groups (Whites), foreign intervention, national minorities seeking independence, and opposition to Bolshevik methods.

What were the Bolshevik strengths in the Civil War?

Control of central Russia, Trotsky’s leadership of the Red Army, discipline, propaganda, and the Cheka suppressing opposition.

What were the weaknesses of the Whites?

Poor coordination, divided aims, lack of central leadership, and brutality that alienated civilians.

What was War Communism?

Bolshevik economic policy during the Civil War: grain requisitioning, nationalisation of industry, strict rationing, banning private trade. It caused famine and unrest.

What triggered the Kronstadt Revolt (1921)?

Sailors protested against Bolshevik repression and economic hardship under War Communism. Lenin crushed the revolt brutally.

What was the New Economic Policy (NEP)?

A partial return to private trade and small businesses to revive the economy. It ended grain requisitioning and helped recovery.

Why did Lenin introduce the NEP?

Economic collapse, famine, worker strikes, the Kronstadt Revolt, and fear of losing power.

How did Lenin control political opposition?

Banned other parties, used the Cheka, controlled press, created a one-party state, and repressed rebellions.

What was the significance of Lenin’s death in 1924?

It created a power struggle between Stalin, Trotsky, Zinoviev, and Kamenev — leading to Stalin’s eventual rise.

What is an autocracy?

A political system where one person holds absolute power. In Russia, the Tsar had complete control over government, army, and law.

What is the Duma?

A Russian parliament created after the 1905 Revolution; had very limited power under Nicholas II

Who were the Okhrana?

The Tsar’s secret police, used to spy on opponents, censor ideas, and crush dissent.

What was the Provisional Government?

The temporary government formed after Nicholas II’s abdication; overthrown by the Bolsheviks in October 1917.

What was the Petrograd Soviet?

Council representing workers and soldiers in Petrograd. It rivalled the Provisional Government and had huge influence.

What are Soviets?

Local councils of workers, soldiers, and peasants. They played a major role in 1917.

Who were the Bolsheviks?

Lenin’s revolutionary socialist party that wanted a small, disciplined group to lead a proletarian revolution.

Who were the Mensheviks?

A more moderate socialist group that believed revolution should come after Russia had developed industrially

What is Marxism?

A theory by Karl Marx arguing that history is shaped by class struggle and that workers should overthrow capitalist systems.

What is a vanguard party?

Lenin’s idea of a small group of professional revolutionaries leading the working class.

What is Dual Power?

The situation in 1917 where the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet both held authority.

What were the April Theses?

Lenin’s demands for “Peace, Bread, Land” and “All Power to the Soviets” on his return in 1917.

Who were the Red Guards?

Armed Bolshevik supporters who carried out the October Revolution.

What was the Cheka?

Lenin’s secret police, created to eliminate opposition and enforce Bolshevik control.

What was War Communism?

Harsh economic policies during the Civil War: grain requisitioning, nationalisation, rationing, banning private trade.

What is grain requisitioning?

Forcing peasants to give grain to the state. This caused famine and rebellion under Lenin.

What is capitalism?

An economic system based on private ownership and profit. The NEP reintroduced some elements of capitalism.

What is communism?

A system where all property is collectively owned and there are no social classes.

Who were the Whites in the Civil War?

Anti-Bolshevik groups including Tsarists, liberals, foreign powers, and national minorities.

Who were the Reds?

The Bolsheviks / Red Army, fighting to keep power during the Civil War.

What was the Constituent Assembly?

Elected in 1917 to decide Russia’s future, but shut down by the Bolsheviks after one day when they failed to win majority support.

When was the October Manifesto issued?

30th October 1905

When did Nicholas II take personal command of the army?

August 1915

When was the April Theses announced?

4th April 1917

When was the Cheka established?

March 1918

How long did the Russian Civil War last?

1918-1921

When was the NEP introduced at the 10th Party Congress?

March 1921

When did Lenin die?

21 January 1924

what was the name of the final german offensive of the first world war?

ludendorff offensive

in which year did usa join ww2?

1917

what did britain and its allies do in august 1918?

counterattacked against germany

by september 1918 how many german soldiers had died in ww1?

2 million

what was sigh we