Russian Revolution Notes (2024)

What was the condition of peasant life in Russia prior to 1905?

Peasants were treated like slaves, faced hardships making money, experienced early deaths, and relied heavily on crops.

What did the Emancipation Manifesto do?

Freed serfs from landlords, requiring them to pay the government for land instead of nobility.

What was the impact of Russian Industrialization on the society?

It led to urban migration, the emergence of a working-class, and had uneven development and slow progress.

What was Russification under Alexander III?

A policy that enforced one Russian identity upon all citizens, suppressing diverse political ideas.

What was the significance of the Russo-Japanese War?

Russia suffered defeats, damaging its economy and national image, leading to perceptions of weakness.

What happened during Bloody Sunday?

A peaceful march to the Winter Palace ended violently when guards attacked the protesters, inciting anger against the Tsar.

What reforms did the October Manifesto introduce?

Allowed political parties, unions, a legislature, popular elections, and the creation of a constitution.

Why did the Duma elections fail to bring change?

The Tsar dissolved the Duma until he got one filled with loyalists, ignoring public reform demands.

Which countries were part of the Triple Entente during World War I?

Britain, France, and Russia.

What did Tsar Nicholas II do during World War I?

He went to the front lines to lead the army in hopes of boosting morale.

How did food shortages contribute to the Russian Revolution?

Food was prioritized for the army, leading women to strike and soldiers to mutiny against the Tsar.

What caused Tsar Nicholas II's abdication in 1917?

He faced immense pressure from ministers and a lack of authority as no one listened to him.

What were the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet?

The Provisional Government was temporarily established to restore order, while the Petrograd Soviet was the main workers' Soviet.

What led to the emergence of riots and strikes after the Tsar's abdication?

Increased power of the Soviets, economic problems, and ongoing war pressures influenced by the Bolsheviks.

What was Kerensky's Offensive?

An attack against Germany that resulted in significant losses and diminished support for the provisional government.

What was the significance of the Bolshevik seizure of Petrograd?

The Bolsheviks took control over key government functions, rendering the Provisional Government irrelevant.

What was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk?

A treaty signed between Russia and Germany to end Russia's involvement in WWI, resulting in substantial territorial losses.

What was the Russian Civil War?

A conflict between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (opposition), with the Red Army ultimately winning control over Russia.