CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: RUSSIAN REVOLUTION MODULE. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. Questions and answers from the book.

1. CAMBRIDGEASHISTORYREVISION
THERUSSIANREVOLUTION
19051917
QUESTIONSANDANSWERS

2. QUESTION1PAG140
What were living conditions like for the peasantry in Russia before the
1905 Russian Revolution?

3. QUESTION1PAG140
The following points could be made about life for the Russian peasants before 1905:
• Although technically ‘free’ following the emancipation under Alexander II in 1861,
they often lived in poverty.
• They had to make redemption payments (due for 49 years for the land they received
under the emancipation) and were forced to pay taxes and provide services.
• Poor harvests led to famines.
• The lack of efficient transport systems meant that food could not be transported
over long distances, so peasants had to rely on what could be grown locally.
• Agricultural methods were backward and inefficient, meaning that output was low.
• There was some variety in the conditions of peasants, depending on factors such as
where they lived, quality of soil, etc. Those living near large towns had the advantage
of a sizeable market for their produce.
• Many peasants were members of mirs (communes) – because the land was owned in
common with other members of the commune, peasants were often prevented from
developing new methods. (see pages 138–40)

4. QUESTION2PAG140
What were the social instabilities in Russian society at the start of the
20th century?

5. QUESTION2PAG140
Social instabilities include the following:
• Russia was comprised of people from many different ethnic groups; the only
thing they had in common was loyalty to the tsar, although this grew strained
when Nicholas II introduced his policy of ‘Russification’.
• The tsar was hopelessly out of touch with the feelings of his subjects and
determined to pursue an autocratic style of rule.
• The vast majority of people were peasants – poor, vulnerable to the effects of
bad harvests and burdened with taxes.
• The lack of modernisation in agricultural methods.
• Relatively poor transport.
• Social inequalities – money that Russia made from the export of wheat went
to wealthy landowners, who paid less in taxes than the peasants.
• The tsar spent heavily on the army and police, and invested little in
modernisation and reform. (see pages 138–40)

6. QUESTION1PAG147
Do you think that 1906 was a missed opportunity for the tsar?

7. QUESTION1PAG147
It could be argued that the 1905 Revolution should have alerted Tsar
Nicholas II to the major problems facing Russia. The rising resentment of
the peasant population, growing nationalist unrest, the country’s
vulnerability to poor harvests and economic recession, and the growing
demands for political rights all combined to undermine the traditional
loyalty of the Russian people for their tsar, leading to the events of 1905.
In issuing the October Manifesto, which promised free speech and an
elected assembly, Nicholas effectively split the supporters of the
revolution – most believed that their voices had been heard and that
things would change. It was only the more radical elements, such as the
Bolsheviks, that were not satisfied. Nicholas’s decision to undermine the
October Manifesto by issuing the Fundamental Laws in 1906, together
with his determination to maintain an autocratic style of rule, effectively
meant that the problems which led to the 1905 Revolution had not been
adequately addressed and were likely to recur. (see pages 138–47)

8. QUESTION2PAG147
To what extent did the 1905 Revolution critically weaken Nicholas II’s
hold over the Russian Empire?

9. QUESTION2PAG147
In essence, little changed as a result of the 1905 Revolution. Nicholas II
remained an autocratic ruler, dependent on the support of the army
and the police. As long as he had this support, he would be able to
continue in power. (see pages 144–7)

10. QUESTION3PAG147
What do you think was the most important cause of the 1905 Revolution?

11. QUESTION3PAG147
Students should identify the causes of the 1905 Revolution and then
prioritise them in order of their relative significance. This requires judgements
to be made, based upon careful analysis and evaluation and supported by
factual evidence. Causes to be considered include:
• Russia’s humiliating defeat against Japan
• the poor economic condition of the peasantry
• economic recession in the early 20th century
• growing nationalist unrest amongst Russia’s ethnic populations, enhanced
by Nicholas’s policy of Russification
• the rise of political groups demanding increased democracy (e.g. the SDLP)
• Nicholas’s determination to maintain autocratic control and his use of
armed force to repress opposition. (see pages 138–47)

12. QUESTION1PAG151
What could Nicholas II have done to prevent revolution in 1905?

13. QUESTION1PAG151
Answers might include the following:
• The tsar could have shown more willingness to listen to his subjects,
demonstrating greater understanding of and sympathy for their problems.
• He could have developed a different, fairer and more efficient system of
taxation.
• He could have supported attempts to modernise Russia’s agricultural,
industrial and transport infrastructures, such as those attempted by Witte.
• Monies from Russian exports of wheat could have been used more
effectively.
• He could have allowed a Duma-like assembly to have some, albeit
limited, say in running the country. (see pages 138–51)

14. QUESTION2PAG151
Do you think that Nicholas II was prepared to prevent the revolution
in 1905?

15. QUESTION2PAG151
Doing any of these things would have undermined Nicholas’s basic
belief in his autocratic rights. Such actions would have lost him the
support of the wealthy landowners and, in all probability, of the army
as well. (see pages 138–51)

16. QUESTION3PAG151
What were the goals of the proletariat and why did they find it
difficult to achieve these?

17. QUESTION3PAG151
The proletariat sought improved living and working conditions:
• a maximum working week
• factory inspections to ensure that laws were enforced
• improved health and insurance provision
• the right to form trade unions.
Relatively small in number, isolated in different towns, lacking education,
denied political rights and forbidden to join together in trade unions, it
was difficult for the proletariat to formalise their demands.
The tsar continued to use repressive measures to put down working class
demonstrations and strikes. (see pages 148–51)

18. QUESTION1PAG157
The political situation in Russia at the time of the tsar’s abdication was
complex. What groups were in place to take power at that time?

19. QUESTION1PAG157
Groups included:
• Cadets: middle class, who wanted a constitution similar to that of Britain.
• Social Revolutionaries: wanted a peasant revolution.
• Communists (Mensheviks and Bolsheviks): wanted a working-class
revolution.
• Provisional Government: following Grand Duke Michael’s refusal to take
the position of tsar, a Provisional Government was established, led firstly
by Prince Lvov (Cadet) and subsequently by the leader of a Socialist
coalition, Kerensky. (see pages 156–7)

20. QUESTION2PAG157
Which of these groups do you think was in the best position to bring
about the revolution that Russia needed in order to reform?

21. QUESTION2PAG157
The political parties that formed the Provisional Government were
middle class, willing to give political freedoms, but they were not
revolutionaries. They did not want to redistribute land to the peasants;
nor did they want to end Russia’s involvement in the First World War.
The Provisional Government was opposed by the Soviet, and this
provided the opportunity for Bolshevik success. (see pages 156–7)

22. QUESTION1PAG166
How dangerous was the 1905 Revolution to Nicholas II?

23. QUESTION1PAG166
The 1905 Revolution highlighted fundamental problems within Russia –
problems that worsened as Russia failed to achieve success in the war.
Nicholas II was able to survive the revolution and, very quickly, to
restore full autocratic control.
This blinded him to the fact that the very issues that had led to the
1905 Revolution had not been addressed and were likely to cause
problems in the future. (see pages 138–47)

24. QUESTION2PAG166
Which do you think was the more important factor in the Bolsheviks’
victory in 1917 – the weakness of the Provisional Government, the
effects of the First World War or Lenin’s Leadership? Give reasons for
your choice.

25. QUESTION2PAG166
The question requires a judgement to be made, followed by the
development of a balanced argument supported by accurate factual
evidence. The best answers will show an awareness of how the various
causal factors were interconnected. Relevant content would include:
a) The Provisional Government: moderate middle-class politicians,
who were unable to balance the conflicting demands of reforming and
radical factions. It lacked the strength to restore order and faced
growing opposition from both peasants and soviets. The government’s
hope that ongoing involvement in the war would unite Russians
through nationalism failed.

26. QUESTION2PAG166 cont.
b) Effects of the First World War: a major factor in the demise of the
tsar, the war was equally a problem for the Provisional Government.
The Russian army continued to suffer humiliating defeats, leading to
rebellions within the armed forces.
c) Lenin’s leadership: Lenin brought order and discipline to the
Bolsheviks. His oratory skills enabled him to encourage greater support
and he made effective use of slogans and propaganda. His calls for the
end of Russian involvement in the First World War grew increasingly
popular. (see pages 158–66)