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Pre-Revolutionary Russia
Only true autocracy left in Europe. No type of representative political institutions. Nicholas II became tsar in 1884 -
Period: to
The Russian Revolution
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Russo-Japanese War
Defeat for Russia in this war led to political instability. Fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. -
Conservatism Continues 1905
Tsar paid no attention to the Duma; it was harassed and political parties suppressed – only token land reform was passed. -
The Revolution of 1905
Rapid growth of (discontented) working class. Vast majority of workers concentrated in St. Petersburg and Moscow. -
The Auguries for War
In 1913, Tsar Nicholas II celebrated the tercentenary of Romanov rule in Russia. He and his dynasty ruled over a huge empire, stretching from central Europe to the Pacific Ocean and from the Arctic to the borders of Afghanistan. -
World War I
Battle of Tannenberg (August, 1914) – massive defeat at hands of Hindenburg and Ger -
World War I
ill-trained, ineffective officers, poorly equipped (Russ. was not ready for ind. war) – the result was mass desertions and 2 million casualties by 1915. -
The Collapse of the Imperial Government
Nicholas left for the Front—September, 1915, Alexandra and Rasputin throw the government into chaos, Alexandra and other high government officials accused of treason. -
The Collapse of the Imperial Government (cont)
Rasputin assassinated in December of 1916, Complete mismanagement of the wartime economy, Ind. production plummeted, inflation and starvation were rampant, and the cities were overflowing w/ refugees. -
Conservatism Continues 1917
Nicholas was personally a very weak man; he became increasingly remote as a ruler. -
The March Revolutions
Duma declared itself a Provisional Government on March 12, Tsar ordered soldiers to intervene; instead they joined the rebellion…the Tsar thus abdicated on March 17. -
The November Revoluion
this was the ideological aspect of the rev., w/ the coup itself planned by Leon Trotsky, who had gained the confidence of the army (= the “Red Miracle”) -
November Revolution
Political Police organized: CHEKA, Revolutionary army created with Trotsky in charge = “Red Army”, Bolshevik Party renamed Communist Party in March of 1918. -
Bolshevik Party
Officially renamed the Communist Party in March 1918. Wanted to spread the Communist revolution throughout the world.