Up to March 1917 revolution (+PG->october)

• Russia was an autocracy - ruled by one person (the Tsar) who had absolute power over all aspects of life.
• Tsars were seen as God-given rulers, chosen by God to rule Russia.
• The Russian Orthodox Church supported the Tsar as it believed that he was chosen by God to rule Russia
• Peasants did not support the Tsar but there was no way they could challenge him as they had no political rights or representation
• Peasants did not have any rights or freedoms under the Tsarist regime.
• Peasants were forced to work long hours in poor conditions without pay.
• In 1863, Alexander II abolished serfdom which meant peasants now owned their own land and could move around freely
• farming in Russia was very underdeveloped compared to the west
• peasants while farming might not have horses, and would sometimes plough fields themselves
• peasants were still using farming methods from the roman empire.
• problems faced by Russia's rulers in the early 20th century were:

  1. Russia's size - transportation of goods & communication
  2. the huge gap between the peasants and the other classes
  3. immense diversity inside the Russian empire
  4. very backwards agricultural methods
  5. quality of life for the lower classes
• positive characteristics of tsar Nicholas 2nd:

  • was a well-meaning Russian devoted to his family
  • wanted to bring happiness and prosperity
  • had an affection towards peasantry
• negative characteristics of tsar Nicholas 2nd:

  • too polite to say no to anyone
  • very mild-mannered and shy
  • didn't take any advice on ruling
  • blindly conservative, elitist and racist
  • "never wanted to rule"
  • inexperienced
• Between 1904 and 1905, Russia and Japan fought for control of strategic territories in China. It ended with humiliating defeat for Russia.
• When did the Japanese besiege Port Arthur?

  January 1904
• What was Port Arthur in 1904?

  A Russian naval base
• What happened to the Russian Pacific Fleet during the siege?

  It was attacked by the Japanese
• Why were Russian forces left without supplies?

  The Trans-Siberian Railway was unfinished
• What was the impact of the unfinished Trans-Siberian Railway on Russian forces?

  It hindered troop movement from the west
• Where did Russian armies suffer heavy losses?

  Yalu River and Mukden
• What caused the heavy losses of Russian armies?

  The vastly superior Japanese forces
• When was the Russian Baltic fleet sent to the Pacific?

  March 1905
• What happened to the Russian Baltic fleet after it arrived in the Pacific?

  It encountered the Japanese navy
• What was the outcome of the battle between the Russian Baltic fleet and the Japanese navy?

  Two thirds of the Russian fleet was destroyed
• How long did the battle between the Russian Baltic fleet and the Japanese navy last?

  Two days
• What happened to the remaining Russian ships after the battle?

  Only a small number escaped
• What was the significance of the siege of Port Arthur?

  It marked a key event in the Russo-Japanese War, and a major factor of public discontent leading to the 1905 revolution
• Why was the Trans-Siberian Railway important during the conflict?

  It was essential for moving troops and supplies
• How did the strength of Japanese forces affect the outcome of battles?

  It led to heavy Russian losses
• What strategic move did the Russian Baltic fleet make in March 1905?

  It was sent to the Pacific
• What does the destruction of two thirds of the Russian fleet indicate about the naval power of Japan?

  Japan had superior naval capabilities
• The Tsar had to agree to a humiliating peace treaty with the Japanese after the destruction of the Baltic Fleet. Defeat in the war led to a mutiny on board the Potemkin battleship in June 1905.
• where did the protests for bloody sunday start?


  father Gapon called for industrial action after union members at the putilov engineering works were dismissed
• when was bloody sunday?


  9th January 1905
• who led the peaceful protests on bloody sunday?


  a russian orthodox priest called father Gapon
• who became the tsar of russia in 1894


  Nicholas 2nd
• what was the name of the tsarina?

  Alexandra
• what was the style of government practised by the tsar?


  autocracy or dictatorship
• what was the name of the tsar's secret police?

  the Okhrana
• what was the name of the tsar's mounted police force?

  Cossacks