The Collapse of Autocracy

• 1906 Fundamental Laws stated that the Tsar possesses supreme autocratic power.
• The October Manifesto promised civil liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.
• In 1907, the Duma had no real powers as it could not pass laws without the approval of the Tsar or his ministers.
• The Duma was established to represent the people but had limited powers.
• In 1907, the Tsar dissolved the second Duma due to its radicalism.
• The First World War led to increased support for the Bolsheviks due to their opposition to the war.
• Article 87 stated that the Tsar had the power to dismiss the Duma.
• The Tsarina was disliked because of rumours of her and Rasputin as well as her being a German woman.
• The February Revolution saw the abdication of Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government under Prince Lvov.
• In 1906, the first Duma met but it was dissolved within three months when they refused to pass laws on censorship and the death penalty.
• The third Duma was dominated by conservatives who were loyal to Nicholas II.
• The October Revolution took place on November 7th, 1917, when Lenin led an armed uprising against the Provisional Government.
• The Russo- Japanese War happened because Russia was experiencing an economic depression. Winning the war would increase patriotism.
• Plehve, the Minister of the Interior, believed that a quick victory in the Russo- Japanese War would distract the mass population from revolution.
• The Russians first gained access to Port Arthur thanks to the Trans- Siberian Railway.
• The Russian's wanted the eastern ports because the waters were warmer than the ones they used which would make trade easier.
• The Russo- Japanese War ended with the Russians retreating and the Potemkin Mutiny leading to the Treaty of Portsmouth.
• The Russo- Japanese War was from 1904-1905.
• The Battle of Tsushima was in May 1905.
• In the Battle of Tsushima, more than 2/3 of Russian ships were sunk within 90 minutes. They travelled for over 7 months.
• The Potemkin Mutiny was the sailors refusing to carry out their duties in the harsh conditions. The army that were sent to control them, also refused to do their jobs.
• Nicholas II physically did not look like an autocrat because he was 5'7.
• Nicholas II believed in autocracy and Russification but lacked the experience and qualities to lead.
• Rasputin was notorious for sexual intimacy and was sexually depraved.
• Rasputin had direct connections with the Tsar's family, especially the Tsarina. There were rumours of an affair with the Tsarina and Rasputin which caused public hatred towards the Tsar.
• Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks
• Trotsky was the head of the Red Army
• The Tsarina was disliked because she was German and considered an outsider.
• 2 positives about Nicholas II was that he believed in Russification and also continued the railway reforms. He inherits Sergei Witte as Minister of Finance.
• Pobedonostsev was a tutor to Alexander III and Nicholas II. He had slavophile views and believed that autocracy was the only answer.
• The Bloody Sunday (1905) was led by Father Gapon. It was a march to the Winter Palace which resulted in 300 wounded and 100 killed.
• The Provisional Government made up of kadets and liberals.
• The Provisional Government was lead by Prince Lvov.
• The Petrograd Soviet was made up of mostly Mensheviks and socialists.
• Alexander Kerensky was Vice Chairman in the Petrograd Soviet and Minister of Justice in the Provisional Government.
• The Dual Authority meant that the Petrograd Soviet and the Provisional Government work together to rule Russia.
• The Dual Authority was flawed because the real power lay with the Soviets.
• Lenin was the driving force of the Bolshevik party. He believed in ideological unity (everyone believing in a shared idea).
• The tsarist police was replaced with a 'People's Militia' during the rise of the Bolsheviks in power.
• Kornilov was commander in chief of the army.