Tsarist and Communist Russia

What was the significance of the Emancipation Edict of 1861?

It freed 51 million serfs and required a redemptive payment over 49 years.

What military reform was introduced between 1870-74?

Active service was reduced from 25 years to 15 years, and the conscription age was raised to 21.

What was established in 1870 as part of local governance reforms?

The Duma and the Zemstva.

What major event occurred in 1881 regarding Alexander II?

He was assassinated by the People's Will.

What was the purpose of the judiciary reform introduced in 1864?

To modernize the judicial system and improve legal processes.

What was the outcome of the 1853-56 Crimean War?

It exposed the weaknesses of the Russian Empire and led to calls for reform.

What was the role of Reutern in the Russian economy?

He aimed to increase trade, decrease imports, and attract foreign investments.

What was the impact of the 1881 Manifesto of Unshakable Autocracy?

It reinforced autocratic rule and limited political freedoms.

What was the purpose of the May Laws of 1882?

To impose restrictions on Jewish people, including limiting their rights and movements.

What was the significance of the 1891-92 Great Famine?

It resulted in approximately 350,000 deaths and highlighted the failures of the agricultural policies.

What was the function of the Okhrana established in 1881?

It served as the secret police to suppress opposition and maintain state security.

What was the educational reform introduced in 1885?

The New University Charter limited university students to meet in groups of no more than five.

What was the impact of the 1887 Department of Police records?

It documented 337 mass disturbances, indicating widespread unrest.

What was the economic situation in Russia under Vyshnegradsky?

Coal production doubled, and there was significant growth in pig iron and crude oil production.

What was the average life expectancy in Russia compared to Britain around 1892?

27 years for men and 29 years for women in Russia, compared to 47 years in Britain.

What was the outcome of the 1879 split in the Land and Liberty movement?

It resulted in the formation of the Black Repartition (peaceful) and the People's Will (violent).

What was the significance of the 1882-90 reforms regarding labor?

They included reduced working hours and restrictions on child labor.

What was the impact of the 1887 policy limiting Jewish children in schools?

It allowed only 10% of Jewish children in schools within the Pale of Settlement and 5% outside of it.

What was the role of the Ecclestical Commission set up in 1858?

To oversee religious affairs and address issues related to the Orthodox Church.

What was the significance of the 1863 Polish rebellion?

It involved guerilla warfare and was a response to Russian oppression.

What was the economic impact of Witte's leadership starting in 1892?

He brought the economy into surplus and increased foreign investment significantly.

What was Vyshnedgradsky's approach to Russia's economy?

He stated, 'We ourselves shall not eat, but we shall export,' indicating a focus on exports despite domestic hardship.

What significant event occurred on Bloody Sunday in 1905?

The Potemkin mutiny, resulting in 5,000 casualties.

What was established by the October Manifesto of 1905?

The Duma, a legislative assembly.

What were the Fundamental Laws of 1906?

They outlined the powers of the Duma and the Tsar, limiting the Duma's authority.

What was the significance of the Lena Goldfield massacre in 1912?

It highlighted the growing discontent and unrest among workers.

What was the role of the Union of Zemstva during WW1?

They provided war relief and set up military zones.

What major action did Nicholas II take in 1915 regarding the Duma?

He suspended the Duma, seeking a constitutional monarchy.

What was Rasputin's influence during Nicholas II's reign?

He meddled in political affairs, causing public discontent.

What was the outcome of the February Revolution in 1917?

Nicholas II abdicated the throne.

What was the All Class Zemstvo demanded by Prince Lvov in 1895?

An advisory body to represent various social classes.

What was the RSDLP and when was it created?

The Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, created in 1898 to unite Marxist groups.

What was the impact of Stolypin's Wagon in 1906?

It promoted emigration by offering incentives like land and train tickets.

What was the literacy rate in Russia by 1914?

60% of the population was illiterate.

What was the state of primary education investment from 1896 to 1914?

It increased from 8 million to 821 million.

What was the industrial growth rate in Russia from 1894 to 1914?

Russia's annual growth rate was 8%.

What was the significance of the Great Spurt from 1898 to 1903?

It marked a period of rapid industrial growth.

How many factory workers were there in Russia by 1914?

6 million factory workers.

What percentage of land was communal in Russia by 1914?

90% of land was communal.

What was the condition of the Russian military in 1915?

There were 2 rifles for every 3 soldiers and only 2-3 shells per day.

What was the Donbas Region's contribution to Russia's coal supply?

It supplied 57% of all Russia's coal.

What was the economic situation for peasants in 1914?

They faced a big wealth gap, lacked personal possessions, and had a basic diet.

What was the effect of the 1905 relaxation on censorship?

It contributed to a boom in popular press and the 'silver age' of culture.

What significant event occurred in 1917 that marked a major change in Russian governance?

The October Revolution against Kerensky.

What were Lenin's key decrees following the October Revolution in 1917?

End war, nationalize banks and church, abolish private land ownership, grant right to self-determination, and make divorce and marriage free from church control.

What was the purpose of the Cheka, established in 1917?

To serve as the secret police and suppress opposition.

What major conflict took place in Russia from 1918 to 1920?

The Russian Civil War.

What was the significance of the 1918 RSFSR Constitution?

It established the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic as a socialist state.

What was the outcome of the Kronstadt rebellion in 1921?

It was a failed uprising against the Bolshevik government, leading to a ban on factions.

What economic policy was introduced in 1921 to address the failures of War Communism?

The New Economic Policy (NEP), which stopped grain requisitioning and rationing.

What was the nomenklatura system introduced in 1923?

A system for appointing individuals to key positions in government and industry based on loyalty to the party.

What was the purpose of the League of the Godless established in 1923?

To promote atheism and diminish the influence of the church.

What was the impact of the 1936 Constitution?

It was a propaganda tool that promised civil rights but was not implemented in practice.

What was the Great Purge (1936-1939) and its consequences?

A campaign of political repression leading to the execution of many party leaders, including Zinoviev, Kamenev, and Bukharin, and the arrest of over a million people.

What were the Shakhty Trials of 1928?

Trials against engineers and managers accused of sabotage, marking the beginning of intense political repression.

What was the significance of the 1941 Operation Barbarossa?

It was the German invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II, leading to massive military and civilian casualties.

What was the Cult of Personality surrounding Stalin during 1933-1939?

A propaganda campaign that portrayed Stalin as an infallible leader and hero of the Soviet people.

What was the outcome of the Leningrad Case in 1949?

A political trial that targeted party members in Leningrad, further consolidating Stalin's power.

What was the impact of the 1920s known as the 'Silver Age' in Soviet art?

It allowed avant-garde art and expression as long as it was not counter-revolutionary.

What was the role of the NKVD during Stalin's rule?

It served as the secret police responsible for enforcing Stalin's policies and conducting purges.

What was the significance of the 1934 Kirov Affair?

The assassination of Kirov led to a wave of purges and increased repression within the Communist Party.

What was the impact of the 1942 Order 227?

It ordered the execution of soldiers who retreated without orders, emphasizing the harsh measures taken during the war.

What was the fate of Nicholas II and his family in 1918?

They were executed by Bolshevik forces.

What was the economic condition of Russia by 1921 as a result of the Civil War?

Output was only 20% of what it had been pre-war, with harvest yields at 48% of 1913 levels.