Russian Quiz 1

Vocabulary

• Autocrat – A ruler with absolute power, typically referring to the Russian Tsars who had complete control over the government and society.

• Socialist – A person who supports socialism, an economic and political system advocating for collective or government control over production and wealth distribution.

• Proletariat – The working-class people, especially industrial workers, who were considered the driving force behind revolutionary movements in Russia.

• Bolshevik – A radical faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, that seized power in the October Revolution of 1917 and later became the Communist Party.

• Soviets – Councils of workers, soldiers, and peasants that emerged as grassroots political organizations during the Russian Revolution, eventually becoming the foundation of Soviet governance.

• Franchise – The right to vote; in Russian history, it refers to the struggle for democratic representation and voting rights.

• Progressive Bloc – A coalition of moderate and liberal politicians in the Russian Duma (parliament) during World War I that sought political reforms and a constitutional government.

• Abdication – The act of formally giving up power; in Russian history, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne in 1917, marking the end of the Romanov dynasty.

• Duma – The Russian legislative assembly, established by Tsar Nicholas II in 1905 as a concession after the Revolution of 1905, but it had limited power under the Tsar's rule.

• Russification – A policy of enforcing Russian culture, language, and identity on non-Russian ethnic groups within the empire, often leading to resistance and resentment.

• Tsar – The title of the emperor of Russia before 1917, derived from the Roman title "Caesar"; the last Tsar was Nicholas II.

People and Events to Know

1. Tsar Nicholas II – The last emperor of Russia (1894–1917), whose poor leadership, resistance to reforms, and involvement in World War I contributed to the fall of the Russian monarchy during the Russian Revolution of 1917.

2. Sergei Witte – A Russian statesman and economic reformer who played a key role in industrializing Russia. He served as Minister of Finance (1892–1903) and was instrumental in negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War.

3. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) – Leader of the Bolshevik Party and a key figure in the Russian Revolution of 1917. He led the overthrow of the Provisional Government and established the Soviet state, becoming the first leader of the USSR.

4. Pyotr Stolypin – A Russian Prime Minister (1906–1911) known for his attempts to reform Russia’s agricultural system through the Stolypin land reforms and for his harsh repression of revolutionary movements. He was assassinated in 1911.

5. Grigori Rasputin – A mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who gained significant influence over Tsarina Alexandra due to his alleged ability to heal her son, Alexei. His close association with the royal family contributed to the monarchy's declining reputation before the Russian Revolution.

6. Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) – A conflict between Russia and Japan over territorial control in Manchuria and Korea. Russia suffered a humiliating defeat, which weakened the Tsar's authority and fueled revolutionary unrest.

7. Bloody Sunday (1905) – A massacre in which Russian soldiers fired on peaceful protesters led by Father Gapon as they marched to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II in St. Petersburg. The event sparked widespread unrest and contributed to the 1905 Revolution.

8. 1905 Revolution – A wave of political and social unrest in Russia, triggered by dissatisfaction with Tsarist rule, economic struggles, and Bloody Sunday. It led to strikes, peasant revolts, and the eventual creation of the Duma.

9. October Manifesto (1905) – A document issued by Tsar Nicholas II in response to the 1905 Revolution. It promised political reforms, including a constitutional monarchy, civil liberties, and the creation of the Duma, though many of these promises were later undermined.

10. Fundamental Laws (1906) – A set of laws issued by Tsar Nicholas II that defined the limits of the October Manifesto, reaffirming the Tsar’s absolute power and restricting the Duma’s influence.

11. Duma – The Russian legislative assembly established after the 1905 Revolution. Although initially intended to share power with the Tsar, it was largely controlled and restricted by the monarchy.

12. February Revolution (1917) – The first phase of the Russian Revolution, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the establishment of a Provisional Government. It was driven by military failures in World War I, economic hardship, and public unrest.