Documents C, D, and E show Lenin's efforts to secure the supremacy of his party largely by suppressing the other parties. In document C, he criticizes the other parties and states that they do more harm than good and they spark conflict. He then orders the "dispersal of all groups, without exception." He demands that any group or party that is not his own supporters must cease to exist, or else be expelled from the party, and become an outcast. Stalin, three years later, expresses his views on the Communist Party, and in doing so he not only glorifies the Communist Party, but also strikes down the other parties. He says that the Communist Party was successful in achieving equality because "it was able in good time to purge itself of the opportunistic pollution." It was successful because it managed to oppress its corrupt adversaries. Document E shows the corruption and evil of these opposing parties. The Socialist Revolutionaries and Mensheviks are portrayed as small figures among a city engulfed in shadow, trying to prevent a much larger figure from leaving the dark city behind and moving on to the light revolution. It portrays the two parties as corrupt, and hindering Russia's progress. Stalin and Lenin's techniques in securing their party's supremacy largely includes suppressing the other parties.
Friday, October 29, 2010
In Class: Lenin Between the Revolutions
1. Using Documents C, D, and E (page 2 - all numbers referred to are the big hand written page numbers) explain how Lenin and Stalin worked to secure the supremacy of the party.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Lenin in Power
1. Read Source 20. What aspects of War Communism are the sailors most angry about? Would you expect peasants in Russia to feel the same?
The sailors are most angry that the Russian people, expecting better freedom, were only thrown into worse slavery and suffering, and their hard working country had turned into a country of war. The Russian symbol of a working country, the sickle and hammer, had become the bayonets and barred windows of the Communists. Peasants in Russia most likely feel the same. They were hoping for bread, peace, and land, but all they got was more suffering, starvation, and war.
2. Does the evidence of Source 23 prove the NEP was a success? Explain your answer with reference to Sources 22, 24 and 25
Source 23 shows that the NEP was, in fact successful. Source 22 shows Lenin's talent with words in the way he assures the people that it has good intentions, and that it was meant to prepare the people for communism. Source 24 shows high hopes for the NEP. It shows confidence that the NEP will rebuild Russia, and says that the future is bring because of it. However, the conditions for the workers were not improved. Wages were still low and the work was still difficult. This meant nothing to Lenin, though, because he was ruthless and had no sympathy whatsoever for the people.
3. From all you have found about Lenin, do you agree with Source 26? Why or why not?
Lenin did a lot to change Russia, and completely turned it around. He led a revolution, changed the government, then started heading Russia towards communism. He was ruthless, and used brutal methods, but he hanged Russia, and helped to rebuild it with his NEP. He did indeed help Russia, however evil he was at times.
How did the Bolsheviks consolidate their rule?
4. Write an explanation of how the Bolsheviks made their rule more secure. Mention the following:
-The power of the Red Army
-Treatment of oppostion
-War Communism
-The New Economic Policy
-The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
-The victory in the Civil War
-The Promise of a new society
-Propaganda
-Is any one of the above factors more important than any of the others? Explain.
The Bolsheviks consolidated their rule by granting the people some reforms to make them happy, but including other reforms to grant them ultimate power. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk got Russia out of the war, with massive costs, and brought peace to Russia. The Bolsheviks promised to revolutionize Russia, bring a new, better society, and make life for everyone better I'm general. All throughout the Bolsheviks' quest to gain support, they were feeding the media tons of propaganda, which convinced many people and gained the Bolsheviks more support, and therefore more power. Then they began to use force to gain their power. Their Red Army collected goods from the people, and punished those who disobeyed. Any opposition was treated with brutality, and eliminated by the Red Army. The practice of War Communism kept the Red Army supplied, because people were forced to give up food and supplies, and all business was controlled by the state. As a result, the Red Army was able to win the Civil War and crush the opposition to their rule. However, the people were extremely unhappy, and Lenin eventually decided to issue the New Economic Policy, a temporary policy to build up Russia's economy. He said it was like taking a step back in order to get a running start and jump further, which in turn would gain him even more power.
The sailors are most angry that the Russian people, expecting better freedom, were only thrown into worse slavery and suffering, and their hard working country had turned into a country of war. The Russian symbol of a working country, the sickle and hammer, had become the bayonets and barred windows of the Communists. Peasants in Russia most likely feel the same. They were hoping for bread, peace, and land, but all they got was more suffering, starvation, and war.
2. Does the evidence of Source 23 prove the NEP was a success? Explain your answer with reference to Sources 22, 24 and 25
Source 23 shows that the NEP was, in fact successful. Source 22 shows Lenin's talent with words in the way he assures the people that it has good intentions, and that it was meant to prepare the people for communism. Source 24 shows high hopes for the NEP. It shows confidence that the NEP will rebuild Russia, and says that the future is bring because of it. However, the conditions for the workers were not improved. Wages were still low and the work was still difficult. This meant nothing to Lenin, though, because he was ruthless and had no sympathy whatsoever for the people.
3. From all you have found about Lenin, do you agree with Source 26? Why or why not?
Lenin did a lot to change Russia, and completely turned it around. He led a revolution, changed the government, then started heading Russia towards communism. He was ruthless, and used brutal methods, but he hanged Russia, and helped to rebuild it with his NEP. He did indeed help Russia, however evil he was at times.
How did the Bolsheviks consolidate their rule?
4. Write an explanation of how the Bolsheviks made their rule more secure. Mention the following:
-The power of the Red Army
-Treatment of oppostion
-War Communism
-The New Economic Policy
-The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
-The victory in the Civil War
-The Promise of a new society
-Propaganda
-Is any one of the above factors more important than any of the others? Explain.
The Bolsheviks consolidated their rule by granting the people some reforms to make them happy, but including other reforms to grant them ultimate power. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk got Russia out of the war, with massive costs, and brought peace to Russia. The Bolsheviks promised to revolutionize Russia, bring a new, better society, and make life for everyone better I'm general. All throughout the Bolsheviks' quest to gain support, they were feeding the media tons of propaganda, which convinced many people and gained the Bolsheviks more support, and therefore more power. Then they began to use force to gain their power. Their Red Army collected goods from the people, and punished those who disobeyed. Any opposition was treated with brutality, and eliminated by the Red Army. The practice of War Communism kept the Red Army supplied, because people were forced to give up food and supplies, and all business was controlled by the state. As a result, the Red Army was able to win the Civil War and crush the opposition to their rule. However, the people were extremely unhappy, and Lenin eventually decided to issue the New Economic Policy, a temporary policy to build up Russia's economy. He said it was like taking a step back in order to get a running start and jump further, which in turn would gain him even more power.
Lenin in Power
1. What was the Sovnarkom?
The Council of People's Commissars. It immediately began giving what Lenin promised, peace, bread, and land.
2. Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk bad for Russia?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was bad for Russia because it suffered huge losses, including a third of it's land, just over half of it's industry, 89 percent of it's coal mines, a quarter of it's agricultural land, and was charged with a massive fine of 300 gold million roubles.
3. Who were the "Whites"?
A group of Bolshevik opposers from inside and outside of Russia.
4.. Read Source 3. What evidence does it provide of Lenin's
a) political skill
He saw an obstacle that had to be overcome, and he stated his intentions of overcoming this obstacle without clearly stating the ruthless methods he had in mind.
b) ruthlessness
The Bourgoisie was an obstacle that was against Lenin's rise, and his plan was just to get rid of the middle class members that got in his way. He had no mercy and was fully prepared to kill anyone that might get in his way to absolute power.
5. Use Sources 5 and 7 to describe how the Civil War affected ordinary people.
The ordinary people of Russsia hated the Bolsheviks, because the Red Army would send armed soldiers to forcibly take their grain, and punishment for military offense was death. People were arrested frequently, and held in prison for months without trial. The middle class was completely oppressed, and weren't allowed to sell things or run their businesses. People all over Petrograd died from starvation. Also, people were in a war zone, and if the fighting reached their village, they paid a price for doing nothing wrong to whichever side wins over the village in battle. The common people were suffering during the civil war.
6. "Most Russians saw the Bolsheviks as the lesser of two evils." With reference to Sources 5, 7, 13 and 16 explain whether or not you agree with this statement or not.
The Council of People's Commissars. It immediately began giving what Lenin promised, peace, bread, and land.
2. Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk bad for Russia?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was bad for Russia because it suffered huge losses, including a third of it's land, just over half of it's industry, 89 percent of it's coal mines, a quarter of it's agricultural land, and was charged with a massive fine of 300 gold million roubles.
3. Who were the "Whites"?
A group of Bolshevik opposers from inside and outside of Russia.
4.. Read Source 3. What evidence does it provide of Lenin's
a) political skill
He saw an obstacle that had to be overcome, and he stated his intentions of overcoming this obstacle without clearly stating the ruthless methods he had in mind.
b) ruthlessness
The Bourgoisie was an obstacle that was against Lenin's rise, and his plan was just to get rid of the middle class members that got in his way. He had no mercy and was fully prepared to kill anyone that might get in his way to absolute power.
5. Use Sources 5 and 7 to describe how the Civil War affected ordinary people.
The ordinary people of Russsia hated the Bolsheviks, because the Red Army would send armed soldiers to forcibly take their grain, and punishment for military offense was death. People were arrested frequently, and held in prison for months without trial. The middle class was completely oppressed, and weren't allowed to sell things or run their businesses. People all over Petrograd died from starvation. Also, people were in a war zone, and if the fighting reached their village, they paid a price for doing nothing wrong to whichever side wins over the village in battle. The common people were suffering during the civil war.
6. "Most Russians saw the Bolsheviks as the lesser of two evils." With reference to Sources 5, 7, 13 and 16 explain whether or not you agree with this statement or not.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
October 1917 Revolution
~~How effective was the Provisional Government?~~
1. Decisions that faced the Provisional Government when it took over in March 1917:
-- What to do about the war
The Provisional Government promised Russia's allies that it would stand by them and stay in the war, and it tried to do so, but the war effort was failing miserable. Soldiers deserted frequently, morale was low, and order was lost. The Russian military was a complete disaster
-- What to do about land
The Provisional Government decided to make the peasants wait until elections were held to establish a government before they could start getting their land, but the peasants started taking it by force anyways, so the Provisional Government came back with force of their own to stop them.
-- What to do about food
Without support from the peasants, the Provisional Government could not bring food into the towns, and as a result, food prices skyrocketed. This, in turn, lost the Provisional Government even more support.
2. How the actions of its opponents harmed the Provisional Government:
-- Members of the soviets
Went against the Provisional Government and continued to hold more power over the people, and gained much more support than the Provisional Government, which wasn't giving the people anything that they wanted.
-- Bolsheviks
Promised the people exactly what they wanted: bread, peace, and land, when the Provisional Government was giving the opposite, therefore turning the support of most of Russia over to the Bolsheviks and the Soviets.
-- General Kornilov
He made an attempt at taking over the government. He prepared his revolt and set off against Kerensky, who had no chance and was forced to call on the Bolsheviks for help. The Bolsheviks obliged, crushed the revolt, and gained a lot of support.
3. Based on your answers to questions 1 & 2, how effective do you think the Provisional Government was? Your answer should be at least two paragraphs. Make sure you provide key details and analysis.
The Provisional Government was a total failure. It had a good idea, serving as a temporary government until elections were held to decide on a final government, but what it did when it held power was completely opposite of what the people wanted. Since the tsar had abdicated, and there was no government, someone had to take control in the meantime. So the Provisional Government, 12 members of the Duma, took power temporarily. Although such a thing was necessary at the time, it was a failure. The majority of the people, mainly the peasants, were not at all satisfied with this temporary government. It didn't give the people anything of what they wanted: peace, bread, and land. The other, unofficial government, the Petrograd Soviet, was the government that really had all the power.
The Petrograd Soviet was another reason why the Provisional Government was as unsuccessful as it was. It promised the peasants what they wanted, which was bread, peace, and land. The Provisional Government decided to remain in the war with Germany, and to make the peasants wait to get their land. The peasants were very dissatisfied and began to take the land by force anyways, to which the Provisional Government responded with "punishment expeditions," beating peasants and burning their homes and farms. This, of course, lost the Provisional Government more support, and without support, it could not get food to people. Amongst all of the Provisional Government's failures, the Petrograd Soviet was gaining more support. It had all the power because it promised the peasants their bread, peace, and land. The majority of the people supported them, therefore they had all the support while the Provisional Government had almost no support.
~~The Appeal of Lenin and Trotsky~~
1. Using Sources 42 - 44, and the Profile of Lenin, add extra details to the profile of Lenin:
-- Why Lenin appealed to people
He was a professional revolutionary, and he was ambitious and determined. Also, he did not give off a very good professional look, and he seemed to the people to be more like one of them, and not a superior gentleman. He was a good speaker and he rallied the people up into a determined struggle in favor of his cause.
-- His personal qualities
He was ruthless and used human beings as tools and materials to do as he pleased. He was short, sturdy, and bald. He looked like a small tradesman, and he appeared fairly unkempt and informal, which appealed to the peasants because he seemed more like them.
-- His strengths as a leader
He dealt with internal divisions within the Bolshevik party, and provided tight control and discipline and unity that other parties lacked.
2. Using Sources 45 - 47, and the Profile of Trotsky, add extra details to the profile of Trotsky:
-- Why Trotsky appealed to people
1. Decisions that faced the Provisional Government when it took over in March 1917:
-- What to do about the war
The Provisional Government promised Russia's allies that it would stand by them and stay in the war, and it tried to do so, but the war effort was failing miserable. Soldiers deserted frequently, morale was low, and order was lost. The Russian military was a complete disaster
-- What to do about land
The Provisional Government decided to make the peasants wait until elections were held to establish a government before they could start getting their land, but the peasants started taking it by force anyways, so the Provisional Government came back with force of their own to stop them.
-- What to do about food
Without support from the peasants, the Provisional Government could not bring food into the towns, and as a result, food prices skyrocketed. This, in turn, lost the Provisional Government even more support.
2. How the actions of its opponents harmed the Provisional Government:
-- Members of the soviets
Went against the Provisional Government and continued to hold more power over the people, and gained much more support than the Provisional Government, which wasn't giving the people anything that they wanted.
-- Bolsheviks
Promised the people exactly what they wanted: bread, peace, and land, when the Provisional Government was giving the opposite, therefore turning the support of most of Russia over to the Bolsheviks and the Soviets.
-- General Kornilov
He made an attempt at taking over the government. He prepared his revolt and set off against Kerensky, who had no chance and was forced to call on the Bolsheviks for help. The Bolsheviks obliged, crushed the revolt, and gained a lot of support.
3. Based on your answers to questions 1 & 2, how effective do you think the Provisional Government was? Your answer should be at least two paragraphs. Make sure you provide key details and analysis.
The Provisional Government was a total failure. It had a good idea, serving as a temporary government until elections were held to decide on a final government, but what it did when it held power was completely opposite of what the people wanted. Since the tsar had abdicated, and there was no government, someone had to take control in the meantime. So the Provisional Government, 12 members of the Duma, took power temporarily. Although such a thing was necessary at the time, it was a failure. The majority of the people, mainly the peasants, were not at all satisfied with this temporary government. It didn't give the people anything of what they wanted: peace, bread, and land. The other, unofficial government, the Petrograd Soviet, was the government that really had all the power.
The Petrograd Soviet was another reason why the Provisional Government was as unsuccessful as it was. It promised the peasants what they wanted, which was bread, peace, and land. The Provisional Government decided to remain in the war with Germany, and to make the peasants wait to get their land. The peasants were very dissatisfied and began to take the land by force anyways, to which the Provisional Government responded with "punishment expeditions," beating peasants and burning their homes and farms. This, of course, lost the Provisional Government more support, and without support, it could not get food to people. Amongst all of the Provisional Government's failures, the Petrograd Soviet was gaining more support. It had all the power because it promised the peasants their bread, peace, and land. The majority of the people supported them, therefore they had all the support while the Provisional Government had almost no support.
~~The Appeal of Lenin and Trotsky~~
1. Using Sources 42 - 44, and the Profile of Lenin, add extra details to the profile of Lenin:
-- Why Lenin appealed to people
He was a professional revolutionary, and he was ambitious and determined. Also, he did not give off a very good professional look, and he seemed to the people to be more like one of them, and not a superior gentleman. He was a good speaker and he rallied the people up into a determined struggle in favor of his cause.
-- His personal qualities
He was ruthless and used human beings as tools and materials to do as he pleased. He was short, sturdy, and bald. He looked like a small tradesman, and he appeared fairly unkempt and informal, which appealed to the peasants because he seemed more like them.
-- His strengths as a leader
He dealt with internal divisions within the Bolshevik party, and provided tight control and discipline and unity that other parties lacked.
2. Using Sources 45 - 47, and the Profile of Trotsky, add extra details to the profile of Trotsky:
-- Why Trotsky appealed to people
By far the strongest speaker in the leadership, which made him the best known Bolshevik leader. Made references in his speeches to the lives of his audience to create a sense of familiarity and make the people view him as "one of us."
-- His personal qualities
Talented orator and writer, which is what gave him his talent with speaking to crowds and gaining public support.
Talented orator and writer, which is what gave him his talent with speaking to crowds and gaining public support.
-- His strengths as a leader
By far the strongest speaker in the leadership, which made him the best known Bolshevik leader. He was source of public inspiration for the Bolsheviks. His genius seemed to even surpass Lenin.
3. Finally, write a short report on the contribution of each individual to the Bolsheviks' success in 1917.
By far the strongest speaker in the leadership, which made him the best known Bolshevik leader. He was source of public inspiration for the Bolsheviks. His genius seemed to even surpass Lenin.
3. Finally, write a short report on the contribution of each individual to the Bolsheviks' success in 1917.
Lenin's contribution the the Bolsheviks' success in 1917 was his order and discipline, while that of Trotsky was incredible speeches gaining public support. Lenin was more often behind the scenes, planning things out and calculating all the steps. He was the mastermind behind the Bolsheviks' success. He supplied all the order and discipline among the Bolsheviks to keep it in order, and made the plans. Meanwhile, Trotsky was using his genius to gain public support. He was an incredible speaker and he knew how to captivate the people and make them listen to him, and they liked what he said. As a result, the Bolsheviks gained support while developing an excellent, well organized party with a plan to take over the government.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Lenin and the Bolsheviks Take Power
1. Why was Lenin reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks or Socialist Revolutionaries?
Lenin was reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries because he thought their willingness to compromise would mess up his plans for revolution.
2. List two reasons why the Provisional Government under Kerensky could not govern.
- Neither the socialists nor the liberal democrats trusted or respected him
- The order in Russia had fallen apart, and attempts to restore it failed
3. The Bolsheviks did not have a majority at the Congress of Soviets after the October Revolution. How did they manage to assume power?
The Mensheviks and SR's didn't participate. They were angry about the armed insurrection against the Provisional Government, so they stormed out of the Congress, and the Bolsheviks had assumed control.
4. What did the Bolsheviks have to give up in order to get out of World War I? What was the name of the Treaty?
The Bolsheviks signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty to get out of World War I, but it had to give up a large part of Russian land to Germany, including Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and the Baltic States. It was a shameful peace for many people in Russia.
5. What was the Checka?
The Checka was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission to Struggle against Counter-Revolution, Sabotage, and Speculation. It was like a ruthless police force that operated outside of law to eliminate Lenin's opposition.
6. What supporters joined the Red Army? White Army?
Supporters of the Bolsheviks joined the Red Army, and it's enemies and their supporters joined the White Army.
7. How many Russians died during the Civil War? How many emigrated to other countries?
Around 13 million Russians died during the Civil War, and about 2 million emigrated to another country.
Lenin was reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries because he thought their willingness to compromise would mess up his plans for revolution.
2. List two reasons why the Provisional Government under Kerensky could not govern.
- Neither the socialists nor the liberal democrats trusted or respected him
- The order in Russia had fallen apart, and attempts to restore it failed
3. The Bolsheviks did not have a majority at the Congress of Soviets after the October Revolution. How did they manage to assume power?
The Mensheviks and SR's didn't participate. They were angry about the armed insurrection against the Provisional Government, so they stormed out of the Congress, and the Bolsheviks had assumed control.
4. What did the Bolsheviks have to give up in order to get out of World War I? What was the name of the Treaty?
The Bolsheviks signed the Brest-Litovsk treaty to get out of World War I, but it had to give up a large part of Russian land to Germany, including Poland, Ukraine, Finland, and the Baltic States. It was a shameful peace for many people in Russia.
5. What was the Checka?
The Checka was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission to Struggle against Counter-Revolution, Sabotage, and Speculation. It was like a ruthless police force that operated outside of law to eliminate Lenin's opposition.
6. What supporters joined the Red Army? White Army?
Supporters of the Bolsheviks joined the Red Army, and it's enemies and their supporters joined the White Army.
7. How many Russians died during the Civil War? How many emigrated to other countries?
Around 13 million Russians died during the Civil War, and about 2 million emigrated to another country.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Russia: Revolutionary Period, 1905-1917
1. Peter Stolypin believed that the crown's survival depended on what two factors?
3. Economic conditions between 1910 and 1914 in Russia were mixed.
a. What are examples of the postive economic conditions?
- The Ministry of Finance issued loans from Western European banks, which helped Russian and foreign owned industries to bounce back
- Iron and coal productions increased, along with Russia's exports and imports, and Russia became the world's leading grain exporter.
b. What are examples of negative economic conditions?
- Conflict increased everywhere
- Thousands of strikes and peasant disturbances
- Lots of political and ethnic divisions help together only by a weak tsar
4. List three ways that Russia financed its costs during World War I.
- Increasing taxes
- Securing foreign loans
- Increasing the supply of paper money by six times
5. Why was Rasputin an important figure? How was he regarded by many Russians?
Rasputin was important because he was just a peasant that supposedly cured the hemophiliac son of the tsar, and therefore was appointed as one of Nicholas's advisors. He seriously abused the position and was horribly corrupt, and he made Russians dislike the government even more.
6. List two reasons why workers called for a change of government in the winter of 1916-17.
- There was a critical food shortage
- By then, the government had shown that it was completely incompetent of running the country
7. Why was the soldiers' mutiny of February 27 so important?
9. List five of the political reforms of the Provisional Government.
- Restoration of order
- Genuine cooperation of the Duma
2. What was the "Stolypin's necktie"?
The "Stolypin's necktie" was the nickname for the noose, because Stolypin and the government executed so many Russians.
2. What was the "Stolypin's necktie"?
The "Stolypin's necktie" was the nickname for the noose, because Stolypin and the government executed so many Russians.
3. Economic conditions between 1910 and 1914 in Russia were mixed.
a. What are examples of the postive economic conditions?
- The Ministry of Finance issued loans from Western European banks, which helped Russian and foreign owned industries to bounce back
- Iron and coal productions increased, along with Russia's exports and imports, and Russia became the world's leading grain exporter.
b. What are examples of negative economic conditions?
- Conflict increased everywhere
- Thousands of strikes and peasant disturbances
- Lots of political and ethnic divisions help together only by a weak tsar
4. List three ways that Russia financed its costs during World War I.
- Increasing taxes
- Securing foreign loans
- Increasing the supply of paper money by six times
5. Why was Rasputin an important figure? How was he regarded by many Russians?
Rasputin was important because he was just a peasant that supposedly cured the hemophiliac son of the tsar, and therefore was appointed as one of Nicholas's advisors. He seriously abused the position and was horribly corrupt, and he made Russians dislike the government even more.
6. List two reasons why workers called for a change of government in the winter of 1916-17.
- There was a critical food shortage
- By then, the government had shown that it was completely incompetent of running the country
7. Why was the soldiers' mutiny of February 27 so important?
The soldiers' mutiny of February 27 was the turning point, and the event that sparked a finale of revolts that finally got the tsar to step down. Because of the soldiers' mutiny, about 170,000 weapons got onto the street, and violence increased drastically. The bloody revolts were too much for the monarchy to handle, since it had lost its loyalty from its people and its armed forced, and it collapsed. Tsar Nicholas abdicated on March 2, 1917.
8. How did the Soviet gain the loyality of the soldiers?
The Soviet gained the loyalty of the soldiers by granting them immunity and protection so that they would not face punishment when they returned to their barracks.
8. How did the Soviet gain the loyality of the soldiers?
The Soviet gained the loyalty of the soldiers by granting them immunity and protection so that they would not face punishment when they returned to their barracks.
9. List five of the political reforms of the Provisional Government.
- Outlawed capital punishment
- Reformed the judicial system
- Began to place the police force under control of the local governments
- Freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and universal suffrage
- Appealed legal restrictions on religion, class, and race
Russian Revolution 1905
1. Why was modernization needed?
Modernization was needed, first of all because Russia was almost entirely agricultural while surrounding nations were industrializing. Furthermore, it was agricultural and using outdated farming equipment. Also, the Tsar and the rest of Russia's leaders wanted it to be a powerful nation and have an important role in Europe. In order to be powerful, industrialization was required. They needed industry to manufacture things, and in order to be an important military power it needed to manufacture military supplies/equipment. Also, agriculture didn't make it enough money. Russia was very poor, and it needed modernization in order to increase its profit and income. Not only did they only have agriculture, their methods of agriculture were obsolete and its harvest was poor. Russia needed industrialization to make money and increase its power.
2. Why was modernization dangerous to the Tsar?
Modernization was dangerous to the Tsar because it endangered his position as the leader of Russia. It would be difficult to maintain his position of power over a modernized Russia. Other modernized countries had democracies and parliaments, and monarchs have little power if they even existed in the government. Also, industrialization created social tensions between the working class when they flock to the cities to work in factories, and congregating them together would only facilitate disputes between the two. It would also increase the people's ability to overthrow the government, because industrialized countries meant more educated workers, and a larger middle class that might decide to overthrow the government.
Modernization was dangerous to the Tsar because it endangered his position as the leader of Russia. It would be difficult to maintain his position of power over a modernized Russia. Other modernized countries had democracies and parliaments, and monarchs have little power if they even existed in the government. Also, industrialization created social tensions between the working class when they flock to the cities to work in factories, and congregating them together would only facilitate disputes between the two. It would also increase the people's ability to overthrow the government, because industrialized countries meant more educated workers, and a larger middle class that might decide to overthrow the government.
3. How did Witte try to build up industry?
Witte tried to build up industry by giving a huge investment to industry, which he hoped would lead to an upward growth, and increase the demand for industrial products, hence leading to further industrial growth. He focused on the railroads, hoping it would increase demand for supplies such as iron, steel, coal, and other railroad-related industries, as well as improve communications. To pay these investments, he planned to squeeze money out of the peasants, and he hoped the industrialization would increase the wages and make up for the money he took from them before it really hurt them.
4. How successful was Witte's economic policy?
It went well until 1902, when other nations stopped buying Russian industrial products. Thousands of workers lost their jobs and strikes broke out.
Russia, 1861-1905
1. List the general goals of the:
a. socialists
Create a classless society that would end suffering and exploitation of the lower class peasants. This included taking the means of production from it's owners and giving them to the state.
b. liberal reformers
Believed in applying western constitutional practices and laws to solve Russia's problems and injustices.
2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
Serfs lives were extremely harsh and difficult. Their average life span was only 35 years, because conditions were so bad. Most lived in remote villages with no schools or communication. The head of each household was their leader, essentially, and maintained authority over the family.
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
Tsar Alexander II's first reform was to abolish serfdom and emancipate the serfs. He also introduced jury trials and created local assemblies to vote on issues such as taxes, maintenance, etc. He also tried to increase industrialization in Russia. Finally, he expanded the railroad system.
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
They wanted to establish connections with the downtrodden peasants and convince the "simple folk" to join the revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
As a consequence of the famine of 1891, half a million Russian peasants died, and the way the government handled it was a wake-up call to the people of Russia, and the government began to lose support.
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Since their "to the people" idea failed, Marx's ideas became their plans for transforming their society.
7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)
a. Liberal Democrats
Supported evolving to a western European form of government. They went about achieving their goals through violence and terrorism
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
Wanted to socialize all the land and give it to the communes, and replace the monarchy with a democratic republic. They were the most radical and used violence and terrorism.
c. Social Democrats
Supported Marxism. Wanted to wait until Russia was ready for revolution, then overthrow the Tsar, but some didn't want to wait, like Lenin. This led to a spilt in the party. The Mensheviks and th bolsheviks.
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
Bloody Sunday destroyed the people's view of the Tsar as a benevolent, protective leader.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
- expansion of civil liberties
- limited monarchy
- legislature elected by universal suffrage
- legalization of trade unions and political parties
a. socialists
Create a classless society that would end suffering and exploitation of the lower class peasants. This included taking the means of production from it's owners and giving them to the state.
b. liberal reformers
Believed in applying western constitutional practices and laws to solve Russia's problems and injustices.
2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
Serfs lives were extremely harsh and difficult. Their average life span was only 35 years, because conditions were so bad. Most lived in remote villages with no schools or communication. The head of each household was their leader, essentially, and maintained authority over the family.
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
Tsar Alexander II's first reform was to abolish serfdom and emancipate the serfs. He also introduced jury trials and created local assemblies to vote on issues such as taxes, maintenance, etc. He also tried to increase industrialization in Russia. Finally, he expanded the railroad system.
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
They wanted to establish connections with the downtrodden peasants and convince the "simple folk" to join the revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
As a consequence of the famine of 1891, half a million Russian peasants died, and the way the government handled it was a wake-up call to the people of Russia, and the government began to lose support.
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Since their "to the people" idea failed, Marx's ideas became their plans for transforming their society.
7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)
a. Liberal Democrats
Supported evolving to a western European form of government. They went about achieving their goals through violence and terrorism
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
Wanted to socialize all the land and give it to the communes, and replace the monarchy with a democratic republic. They were the most radical and used violence and terrorism.
c. Social Democrats
Supported Marxism. Wanted to wait until Russia was ready for revolution, then overthrow the Tsar, but some didn't want to wait, like Lenin. This led to a spilt in the party. The Mensheviks and th bolsheviks.
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
Bloody Sunday destroyed the people's view of the Tsar as a benevolent, protective leader.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
- expansion of civil liberties
- limited monarchy
- legislature elected by universal suffrage
- legalization of trade unions and political parties
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