Using Documents C, D, and E (page 2) explain how Lenin and Stalin worked to secure the supremacy of the party.
Lenin says in document C that the "congress orders the immediate dispersal of all group." This is elimination of his opponents. This makes it so that there is no option to be against the Bolsheviks since there is no other party. Also in this document it says that the "failure to execute this resolution of the congress must result in unconditional and immediate expulsion from the party." This further explains that there is no choice other than to support him.
In document D, Stalin talks about how the Bolsheviks "succeeded in creating internal unity and unexampled cohesion of its ranks" because they were able to get rid of the opponents.
Document E implies that the Bolsheviks are fighting against the Mensheviks and the Social Revolutionaries who are trying to hold them back and prevent a revolution. Since the Mensheviks and the Social Revolutionaries are much smaller than the Bolsheviks, the implies that the Mensheviks and Social Revolutionaries are a lot less powerful than the Bolsheviks. The Bolshevik man is large and has some sort of weapon while the others are small and don't have any weapons.
Friday, October 29, 2010
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?
They were angry about how they had hoped for freedom but instead they got violence from the Soviets. I would expect the peasants to feel the same because they have been promised better living conditions and the Bolsheviks are not giving them that. They are extremely violent and no one is happy.
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 successful in improving the production in Russia, but as source 25 explains, this didn't mean that the living and working conditions improved, and in fact it got worse. It seems that the supporters of the NEP overlooked the underlying bad conditions, and just thought it was good because productions was improving.
3. From all you have found about Lenin, do you agree with Source 26? Why or why not?
I agree with source 26 partially. I agree that he was a good leader in regards of public speaking and being "one of the people," but I disagree that he was a good person. He changed the free elections so that it would be in the Bolshevik's favor and he created the Cheka which was a ruthless group that got rid of Lenin's oppositions.
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 power by doing many things. When Lenin took power, he promised the Russian people that he would improve the society and fix all of the existing problems and used the slogan "Peace, Bread and Land." This made many Russians support him and believe that he would fix the problems. They used violence to get rid of their opposition and force people to support them. The Red Army terrorized villages and the Cheka got rid of any opposition. War Communism was used to end the war with Germany, but to do so Russia was put into extremely horrible conditions. The government had control over basically everything. When their was mutiny with the soldiers, Lenin realized he needed to revise the controls of the government under war communism. He allowed peasants to sell extra grain and pay a tax on it rather than give it to the government. The Bolsheviks also used the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk to end the war. Russia lost a lot of their population, industry, agriculture and other important aspects just to end the war. This was made because it would have been impossible to restore order in Russia if there was a war going on.
I think that the power of the Red Army, the treatment of the opposition and the Cheka are very important because they show that Lenin used violence to try and gain more support.
They were angry about how they had hoped for freedom but instead they got violence from the Soviets. I would expect the peasants to feel the same because they have been promised better living conditions and the Bolsheviks are not giving them that. They are extremely violent and no one is happy.
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 successful in improving the production in Russia, but as source 25 explains, this didn't mean that the living and working conditions improved, and in fact it got worse. It seems that the supporters of the NEP overlooked the underlying bad conditions, and just thought it was good because productions was improving.
3. From all you have found about Lenin, do you agree with Source 26? Why or why not?
I agree with source 26 partially. I agree that he was a good leader in regards of public speaking and being "one of the people," but I disagree that he was a good person. He changed the free elections so that it would be in the Bolshevik's favor and he created the Cheka which was a ruthless group that got rid of Lenin's oppositions.
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 power by doing many things. When Lenin took power, he promised the Russian people that he would improve the society and fix all of the existing problems and used the slogan "Peace, Bread and Land." This made many Russians support him and believe that he would fix the problems. They used violence to get rid of their opposition and force people to support them. The Red Army terrorized villages and the Cheka got rid of any opposition. War Communism was used to end the war with Germany, but to do so Russia was put into extremely horrible conditions. The government had control over basically everything. When their was mutiny with the soldiers, Lenin realized he needed to revise the controls of the government under war communism. He allowed peasants to sell extra grain and pay a tax on it rather than give it to the government. The Bolsheviks also used the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk to end the war. Russia lost a lot of their population, industry, agriculture and other important aspects just to end the war. This was made because it would have been impossible to restore order in Russia if there was a war going on.
I think that the power of the Red Army, the treatment of the opposition and the Cheka are very important because they show that Lenin used violence to try and gain more support.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Lenin in Power
Read the shared reading, "Lenin in Power" and "Why the Reds Won the Civil War" Answer questions 1 -6.
1. What was the Sovnarkom?
The Council of People's Comissars, a section of the government which was set up by Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
2. Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk bad for Russia?
Russia lost valuable land, over half of its industry, agriculture, population, railways and most of its coal mines. Also, Russia had to pay Germany 300 gold rubles.
3. Who were the "Whites"?
A broad term for anti-Bolsheviks who wanted to crush the Bolsheviks. This includes Socialist Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, supporters of the Tsar, landlords and capitalists who had lost land or money in the revolution, and former prisoners of war (the Czech Legion).
4. Read Source 3. What evidence does it provide of Lenin's
a) political skill-Lenin sees that he had enemies that are trying to get rid of him, and says that something has to be done to fight the counter-revolution.
b) ruthlessness-He sees that what he is doing is to help the poor people and doesn't try to understand the bourgeoisie, landholders and wealth classes point of view. He just thinks that he needs to stop them or else he will lose power.
5. Use Sources 5 and 7 to describe how the Civil War affected ordinary people.
The Bolsheviks fought peasants for grain. If anyone didn't do exactly what the Bolsheviks and the Red Army wanted, they were killed without any questions. People were arrested and kept in prison for months without a trial. Shops and office work was stopped, the banks were under Bolshevik control. People were dying from starvation. The Whites also created havoc by invading villages, killing and abusing people and taking their animals and whatever food they had.
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.
I agree with this statement because as it states in source 16, although the Bolsheviks were horribly violent, the Whites with the counter-revolution were even worse. The Bolsheviks killed and hurt many people and stole from many people, but not as much as the Whites. Source 5 describes the Bolsheviks' violence and source 7 describes the Whites' violence. Source 13 is Red propaganda which shows that they are trying to gain support from propaganda while they are terrorizing Russian people. This is another thing that makes the Bolsheviks horrible, but then going back to source 16, the Whites were even more violent and horrible.
1. What was the Sovnarkom?
The Council of People's Comissars, a section of the government which was set up by Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
2. Why was the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk bad for Russia?
Russia lost valuable land, over half of its industry, agriculture, population, railways and most of its coal mines. Also, Russia had to pay Germany 300 gold rubles.
3. Who were the "Whites"?
A broad term for anti-Bolsheviks who wanted to crush the Bolsheviks. This includes Socialist Revolutionaries, Mensheviks, supporters of the Tsar, landlords and capitalists who had lost land or money in the revolution, and former prisoners of war (the Czech Legion).
4. Read Source 3. What evidence does it provide of Lenin's
a) political skill-Lenin sees that he had enemies that are trying to get rid of him, and says that something has to be done to fight the counter-revolution.
b) ruthlessness-He sees that what he is doing is to help the poor people and doesn't try to understand the bourgeoisie, landholders and wealth classes point of view. He just thinks that he needs to stop them or else he will lose power.
5. Use Sources 5 and 7 to describe how the Civil War affected ordinary people.
The Bolsheviks fought peasants for grain. If anyone didn't do exactly what the Bolsheviks and the Red Army wanted, they were killed without any questions. People were arrested and kept in prison for months without a trial. Shops and office work was stopped, the banks were under Bolshevik control. People were dying from starvation. The Whites also created havoc by invading villages, killing and abusing people and taking their animals and whatever food they had.
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.
I agree with this statement because as it states in source 16, although the Bolsheviks were horribly violent, the Whites with the counter-revolution were even worse. The Bolsheviks killed and hurt many people and stole from many people, but not as much as the Whites. Source 5 describes the Bolsheviks' violence and source 7 describes the Whites' violence. Source 13 is Red propaganda which shows that they are trying to gain support from propaganda while they are terrorizing Russian people. This is another thing that makes the Bolsheviks horrible, but then going back to source 16, the Whites were even more violent and horrible.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
October 1917 Revolution
In the shared file folder entitled "Russian Revolution," read the .pdf file Provisional Government.
How effective was the Provisional Government?
1. Here is a list of some decisions that faced the Provisional Government when it took over in March 1917.
For each one:
A. How did the government deal with it?
B. What was the result of their action?
-- What to do about the war
A. They promised Russia's allies that it would continue the war, while trying to settle the situation in Russia
B. The soldiers deserted the army and came home. Kerensky took control and wanted a large offensive, but the army fell apart due to a German counter-attack. Soldiers who were mostly peasants went back to the countryside to take land.
-- What to do about land
A. It urged the peasants to be restrained and wait for elections before taking any land.
B. The peasants ignored their orders, they took control of the countryside.
-- What to do about food
A. They didn't do anything about fixing the food shortages.
B. There were long lines of people waiting in the cold for food.
2. Look for evidence in the reading of how the actions of its opponents harmed the Provisional Government:
-- Members of the soviets
They had the support of the workers in the coal mining and water industries, and much of the army. Some of them supported Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
-- Bolsheviks
Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, wanted to push the revolution farther. When he heard of the March revolution, he came back from exile. He stated his April Theses, which urged the support of the Bolsheviks in a second revolution. Lenin's slogans ("Peace, Land and Bread", "All power to the soviets") were very different from the messages of the Provisional government. Support of the Bolsheviks increased quickly, especially in the soviets and the army.
-- General Kornilov
He marched is troops towards Moscow intending to get rid of the Bolsheviks and the Provisional Government and restore order. His troops refused to fight Soviets so his plan failed.
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 not very effective. When the government tried to suppress the peasants, the peasants just didn't listen to them and took over the countryside. The Provisional Government didn't do anything major to stop food shortages, which also added to the opposition of the government from the people. The government also didn't do a good job with keeping the soldiers in the war. Many of them just deserted the war and went home, which shows that the government didn't have much control over them.
There were opposing unofficial governments and revolutionary leaders that gained the people's support. Lenin and the Bolsheviks had good messages that were more popular than the Provisional government's messages, which gained them more support. The Provisional government was not successful in making the people happy, therefore its opponents took advantage of this and tried to take power.
Read the .pdf file Lenin & Trotsky, then:
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 like the people, they could relate to him, good public speaker
- His personal qualities-dedicated, ambitious, ruthless, inspirational
- His strengths as a leader-dedicated to revolution and his own political ideas, had good control and discipline over the Bolsheviks, good public speaker
2. Using Sources 45 - 47, and the Profile of Trotsky, add extra details to the profile of Trotsky:
-- Why Trotsky appealed to people-very good public speaker, inspirational, people could easily relation to him, even better than Lenin
-- His personal qualities-very smart, good writer
-- His strengths as a leader-good public speaker, liked very much by the people
3. Finally, write a short report on the contribution of each individual to the Bolsheviks' success in 1917.
Lenin and Trotsky were very important in the Bolsheviks' success in 1917. They both were very good public speakers. Also, the people could easily relate to them because they used real life examples in their speeches and seemed to be one of them rather than someone trying to rule them. Russia needed someone that could pull the country together and understand the people rather than just take control.
How effective was the Provisional Government?
1. Here is a list of some decisions that faced the Provisional Government when it took over in March 1917.
For each one:
A. How did the government deal with it?
B. What was the result of their action?
-- What to do about the war
A. They promised Russia's allies that it would continue the war, while trying to settle the situation in Russia
B. The soldiers deserted the army and came home. Kerensky took control and wanted a large offensive, but the army fell apart due to a German counter-attack. Soldiers who were mostly peasants went back to the countryside to take land.
-- What to do about land
A. It urged the peasants to be restrained and wait for elections before taking any land.
B. The peasants ignored their orders, they took control of the countryside.
-- What to do about food
A. They didn't do anything about fixing the food shortages.
B. There were long lines of people waiting in the cold for food.
2. Look for evidence in the reading of how the actions of its opponents harmed the Provisional Government:
-- Members of the soviets
They had the support of the workers in the coal mining and water industries, and much of the army. Some of them supported Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
-- Bolsheviks
Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, wanted to push the revolution farther. When he heard of the March revolution, he came back from exile. He stated his April Theses, which urged the support of the Bolsheviks in a second revolution. Lenin's slogans ("Peace, Land and Bread", "All power to the soviets") were very different from the messages of the Provisional government. Support of the Bolsheviks increased quickly, especially in the soviets and the army.
-- General Kornilov
He marched is troops towards Moscow intending to get rid of the Bolsheviks and the Provisional Government and restore order. His troops refused to fight Soviets so his plan failed.
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 not very effective. When the government tried to suppress the peasants, the peasants just didn't listen to them and took over the countryside. The Provisional Government didn't do anything major to stop food shortages, which also added to the opposition of the government from the people. The government also didn't do a good job with keeping the soldiers in the war. Many of them just deserted the war and went home, which shows that the government didn't have much control over them.
There were opposing unofficial governments and revolutionary leaders that gained the people's support. Lenin and the Bolsheviks had good messages that were more popular than the Provisional government's messages, which gained them more support. The Provisional government was not successful in making the people happy, therefore its opponents took advantage of this and tried to take power.
Read the .pdf file Lenin & Trotsky, then:
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 like the people, they could relate to him, good public speaker
- His personal qualities-dedicated, ambitious, ruthless, inspirational
- His strengths as a leader-dedicated to revolution and his own political ideas, had good control and discipline over the Bolsheviks, good public speaker
2. Using Sources 45 - 47, and the Profile of Trotsky, add extra details to the profile of Trotsky:
-- Why Trotsky appealed to people-very good public speaker, inspirational, people could easily relation to him, even better than Lenin
-- His personal qualities-very smart, good writer
-- His strengths as a leader-good public speaker, liked very much by the people
3. Finally, write a short report on the contribution of each individual to the Bolsheviks' success in 1917.
Lenin and Trotsky were very important in the Bolsheviks' success in 1917. They both were very good public speakers. Also, the people could easily relate to them because they used real life examples in their speeches and seemed to be one of them rather than someone trying to rule them. Russia needed someone that could pull the country together and understand the people rather than just take control.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Lenin and the Bolsheviks Take Power
Read the Epilogue (pages 39-45) "Lenin and the Bolsheviks Take Power" in the Russian Revolution Reading.
Lenin's consolidation of power
1. Why was Lenin reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks or Socialist Revolutionaries?
He thought their willingness to compromise would ruin his revolutionary agenda.
2. List two reasons why the Provisional Government under Kerensky could not govern.
The Mensheviks and the SRs did not respect or trust Kerensky.
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 SRs walked out of the congress (they were angry about armed insurrection against the provisional government) and then the Bolsheviks had the majority because they left.
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?
They signed the Treat of Brest-Litovsk. This said that Russia would give Germany a lot of land including Poland, Ukriane, Finland and the Baltic States. They lost a lot of their population, agricultural land, industry and a lot of its coal mines.
5. What was the Checka?
It was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Struggle against Counter-Revolution, Sabotage and Speculation. It became an instrument of state terror during the civil war.
6. What supporters joined the Red Army? White Army?
White Armies were anti-Bolsheviks and the Red Armies were Bolsheviks.
7. How many Russians died during the Civil War? How many emigrated to other countries?
Thirteen million died, two million emigrated.
Lenin's consolidation of power
1. Why was Lenin reluctant to compromise with the Mensheviks or Socialist Revolutionaries?
He thought their willingness to compromise would ruin his revolutionary agenda.
2. List two reasons why the Provisional Government under Kerensky could not govern.
The Mensheviks and the SRs did not respect or trust Kerensky.
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 SRs walked out of the congress (they were angry about armed insurrection against the provisional government) and then the Bolsheviks had the majority because they left.
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?
They signed the Treat of Brest-Litovsk. This said that Russia would give Germany a lot of land including Poland, Ukriane, Finland and the Baltic States. They lost a lot of their population, agricultural land, industry and a lot of its coal mines.
5. What was the Checka?
It was the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Struggle against Counter-Revolution, Sabotage and Speculation. It became an instrument of state terror during the civil war.
6. What supporters joined the Red Army? White Army?
White Armies were anti-Bolsheviks and the Red Armies were Bolsheviks.
7. How many Russians died during the Civil War? How many emigrated to other countries?
Thirteen million died, two million emigrated.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Russia: Revolutionary Period, 1905-1917
Read Part II - (pages 13-22) "We Can No Longer Live Like This"
The revolutionary period of 1905-1917
1. Peter Stolypin believed that the crown's survival depended on what two factors?
-The restoration of order
-Genuine cooperation with the Duma
2. What was the "Stolypin's necktie"?
A noose
3. Economic conditions between 1910 and 1914 in Russia were mixed.
a. What are examples of the postive economic conditions?
-1906, the Ministry of Finance had massive loans from Western European banks so they wouldn't be dependent on the new Duma.
-Renewed growth of Russia
-Increase in iron and coal production
-Increase in Russia's imports and exports
b. What are examples of negative economic conditions?
-Workplace violence
-many strikes
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?
He greatly influence the Tsar because they thought he has special powers. He was very scandalous and many Russians didn't like him.
6. List two reasons why workers called for a change of government in the winter of 1916-17.
-There were rumors about Nicholas being a German spy and giving Wilhelm advance notice of Russian troop movements.
-They thought that a change in leadership could revive the war effort, preserve the state, and remove the possibility of revolt.
7. Why was the soldiers' mutiny of February 27 so important?
It started a large event that spread over the entire city. It was very violent and did a lot of damage. It ultimately led to the Tsar's resignation. This was the end of a 300 year old dynasty. Many people thought that this was a moral rebirth of Russia.
8. How did the Soviet gain the loyalty of the soldiers?
The Soviet gave the soldiers Order Number One which gave them immunity for what they had done in the rebellions.
9. List five of the political reforms of the Provisional Government.
-Outlawed capital punishment
-reformed the judicial system
-took steps to place the police under control of local government
-granted the political freedoms of assembly, press, speech and suffrage
-appealed legal restrictions that applied to religion, class and race
The revolutionary period of 1905-1917
1. Peter Stolypin believed that the crown's survival depended on what two factors?
-The restoration of order
-Genuine cooperation with the Duma
2. What was the "Stolypin's necktie"?
A noose
3. Economic conditions between 1910 and 1914 in Russia were mixed.
a. What are examples of the postive economic conditions?
-1906, the Ministry of Finance had massive loans from Western European banks so they wouldn't be dependent on the new Duma.
-Renewed growth of Russia
-Increase in iron and coal production
-Increase in Russia's imports and exports
b. What are examples of negative economic conditions?
-Workplace violence
-many strikes
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?
He greatly influence the Tsar because they thought he has special powers. He was very scandalous and many Russians didn't like him.
6. List two reasons why workers called for a change of government in the winter of 1916-17.
-There were rumors about Nicholas being a German spy and giving Wilhelm advance notice of Russian troop movements.
-They thought that a change in leadership could revive the war effort, preserve the state, and remove the possibility of revolt.
7. Why was the soldiers' mutiny of February 27 so important?
It started a large event that spread over the entire city. It was very violent and did a lot of damage. It ultimately led to the Tsar's resignation. This was the end of a 300 year old dynasty. Many people thought that this was a moral rebirth of Russia.
8. How did the Soviet gain the loyalty of the soldiers?
The Soviet gave the soldiers Order Number One which gave them immunity for what they had done in the rebellions.
9. List five of the political reforms of the Provisional Government.
-Outlawed capital punishment
-reformed the judicial system
-took steps to place the police under control of local government
-granted the political freedoms of assembly, press, speech and suffrage
-appealed legal restrictions that applied to religion, class and race
1905 Revolution
1)Why was modernisation needed?
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Russia was in bad condition. It was still mainly agricultural compared to other industrial countries. In order for Russia to become a great power in the twentieth century, they needed to modernise and industrialise. The industrialization of a country is the base for being a military power so the country has plenty of ships, weapons and other important military equiptment in order to be strong enough to oppose other countries. Also, Russia needed to modernise because being an agricultural country was not working out very well for them. Their methods were obsolete and couldn't support the increasing Russian population. Modernisation and industrialisation was needed to improve Russia so they can be more sufficient and stong.
2)Why was modernisation dangerous to the Tsar?
Maintaining the tsarist autocracy in a modnernised Russia would be difficult. Most other modern countries has democracies and parliaments where the monarch had limited power. Industrialisation created social tension and the working class, having moved to the cities, might be able to revolt since they are concentrated in one area.
The workers would need to be educated, and this means they might challenge the government. Also the growth of the middle class would effect how the people see the government and they might want to change it to a representative government.
3)How did Witte try to build up industry?
His plan was to make a huge investment in industry to create a spiral of upward industrial growth. He thought that railways would be very important in industrialisation, providing communication between cities, and would need materials to be made. Witte took money from peasants by increasing taxes. Also the workers wages were low so all money possible could go to industrialisation.
4)How successful was Witte's economic policy?
Things looked okay at first, but took a turn for the worse in 1902. Russia's industry fell apart. The peasants had no money to spend on things because they had been taxed so much. The workers also had no money, and then they lost their jobs. There were bad harvests and strikes. Peasants were very close to starvation. Peasants protested and there was widespread violence, and the governments response was to use force to suppress the peasants.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Russia was in bad condition. It was still mainly agricultural compared to other industrial countries. In order for Russia to become a great power in the twentieth century, they needed to modernise and industrialise. The industrialization of a country is the base for being a military power so the country has plenty of ships, weapons and other important military equiptment in order to be strong enough to oppose other countries. Also, Russia needed to modernise because being an agricultural country was not working out very well for them. Their methods were obsolete and couldn't support the increasing Russian population. Modernisation and industrialisation was needed to improve Russia so they can be more sufficient and stong.
2)Why was modernisation dangerous to the Tsar?
Maintaining the tsarist autocracy in a modnernised Russia would be difficult. Most other modern countries has democracies and parliaments where the monarch had limited power. Industrialisation created social tension and the working class, having moved to the cities, might be able to revolt since they are concentrated in one area.
The workers would need to be educated, and this means they might challenge the government. Also the growth of the middle class would effect how the people see the government and they might want to change it to a representative government.
3)How did Witte try to build up industry?
His plan was to make a huge investment in industry to create a spiral of upward industrial growth. He thought that railways would be very important in industrialisation, providing communication between cities, and would need materials to be made. Witte took money from peasants by increasing taxes. Also the workers wages were low so all money possible could go to industrialisation.
4)How successful was Witte's economic policy?
Things looked okay at first, but took a turn for the worse in 1902. Russia's industry fell apart. The peasants had no money to spend on things because they had been taxed so much. The workers also had no money, and then they lost their jobs. There were bad harvests and strikes. Peasants were very close to starvation. Peasants protested and there was widespread violence, and the governments response was to use force to suppress the peasants.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Russia, 1861-1905
Read Part I (pages 1 - 12) The Beginning of the End - 1861 - 1905.
Russia from the end of serfdom to the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.
1. List the general goals of the:
a. socialists
-hoped to create a classless society that would end the exploitation and suffering of the peasants and workers.
-dismantle the capitalist economic system by taking the "means of production" (land, factories...) from the owners and placing them in the hands of the state.
b. liberal reformers
-based on the ideas on Enlightenment
-believed that they could put in place wester constitutional practiced and the rule of law to solve Russia's problems and correct the injustices of the past.
2. List a few characteristics of serfs' lives.
-extremely harsh, lasted an average of thirty-five years
-lived in small, dark, dank cottages shared with farm animals
-lived in remote villages that lacked schools or communication with the rest of the world
-grouped together in communes
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
-Liberation of Serfs in 1861, and a new system of land transference was established (serfs payed yearly mortgages)
-He introduced jury trials and relaxed censorship laws.
-He created local elected assemblies (zemstvos) to address local issues
-He made reforms to increase industrial production, build factories
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
The populists didn't want to break up communes and didn't think that industrialization was good for Russia. They didn't want to compromise, they felt the only way to get what they wanted was to overthrow the government. They wanted to establish personal connections with the peasantry. Many of them were propagandists, convinced that they could persuade the simple folk to join the revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
-Many communities staged small scale revolts and land seizures
-Half a million peasants died because of famine and disease during this time
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
His ideas explained the social world systematically. He argued that through the efforts of the working class, a socialist, classless society would develop that would end exploitation and provide for all members of 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 more Western European system of government
-valued individual liberty and saw the role of the state as protecting the rights of citizens
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
-worked to gather the support of workers and peasants for revolutionary change in Russia
-very radical, supported terrorism
-intellectuals helping the peasants cause
c. Social Democrats
-Marxism
-believed that as Russia industrialized and became more capitalistic, it was starting to lean towards socialist activity focusing on the working class instead of the peasants
-eventually split into the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
It permanently altered the attitudes of the people toward the Tsar and his government. The views of the Tsar as a benevolent protector of the people was destroyed. People became angry.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
-expansion of civil liberties
-a limited monarchy
-a legislature elected by universal suffrage
-legalization of trade unions and political parties
Russia from the end of serfdom to the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.
1. List the general goals of the:
a. socialists
-hoped to create a classless society that would end the exploitation and suffering of the peasants and workers.
-dismantle the capitalist economic system by taking the "means of production" (land, factories...) from the owners and placing them in the hands of the state.
b. liberal reformers
-based on the ideas on Enlightenment
-believed that they could put in place wester constitutional practiced and the rule of law to solve Russia's problems and correct the injustices of the past.
2. List a few characteristics of serfs' lives.
-extremely harsh, lasted an average of thirty-five years
-lived in small, dark, dank cottages shared with farm animals
-lived in remote villages that lacked schools or communication with the rest of the world
-grouped together in communes
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
-Liberation of Serfs in 1861, and a new system of land transference was established (serfs payed yearly mortgages)
-He introduced jury trials and relaxed censorship laws.
-He created local elected assemblies (zemstvos) to address local issues
-He made reforms to increase industrial production, build factories
4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
The populists didn't want to break up communes and didn't think that industrialization was good for Russia. They didn't want to compromise, they felt the only way to get what they wanted was to overthrow the government. They wanted to establish personal connections with the peasantry. Many of them were propagandists, convinced that they could persuade the simple folk to join the revolutionary cause.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
-Many communities staged small scale revolts and land seizures
-Half a million peasants died because of famine and disease during this time
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
His ideas explained the social world systematically. He argued that through the efforts of the working class, a socialist, classless society would develop that would end exploitation and provide for all members of 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 more Western European system of government
-valued individual liberty and saw the role of the state as protecting the rights of citizens
b. Socialist Revolutionaries
-worked to gather the support of workers and peasants for revolutionary change in Russia
-very radical, supported terrorism
-intellectuals helping the peasants cause
c. Social Democrats
-Marxism
-believed that as Russia industrialized and became more capitalistic, it was starting to lean towards socialist activity focusing on the working class instead of the peasants
-eventually split into the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks
8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
It permanently altered the attitudes of the people toward the Tsar and his government. The views of the Tsar as a benevolent protector of the people was destroyed. People became angry.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto.
-expansion of civil liberties
-a limited monarchy
-a legislature elected by universal suffrage
-legalization of trade unions and political parties
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Russia, 1905 to 1914
In the Modern World History book, read pages 339 to 342 (stop at d).
1. How did Tsar Nicholas II survive the 1905 Revolution?
He survived because his opponents were not unified. There was no central leadership, he had been willing to compromise at the critical moment by issuing the October Manifesto, promising concessions, and most of the army remained loyal.
2. What was the Tsar's general attitude about the Dumas?
The Tsar did not like the Dumas. He had the first Duma dispersed by troops after ten weeks. He did the same thing with the second Duma. The third Duma lasted longer because it was much more conservative.
3. What specifics improvements occcured following the 1905 Revolution?
There were improvements in industrial working conditions and pay. There were cancellation of redemption payments, which were annual payments to the government of serfdom in 1861, although peasants had received their legal freedom, these payments had reduced over half the rural population to dire poverty. There was more freedom of the press. Also there was genuine democracy in which the Duma would play an important part in running the country.
4. Summarize the 5 major weaknesses of the Tsar's regime.
1) Failure of the land reforms-growing peasant population who were forced to buy land, and inefficient farming methods couldn't support the growing populations
2) Industrial unrest-a wave of industrial strikes, the previous improvements didn't fully remove pre-1905 problems
3) Government repression-the secret police rooted out revolutionaries, the government made the mistake of alienating the three most important sections in society (peasants, industrial workers, and the educated class).
4) Revival of the revolutionary parties-separated into Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and the Mensheviks. Bolsheviks wanted a small disciplined party of professional revolutionaries who would work full time to bring about a revolution and include peasants. The Mensheviks had little faith in the cooperation of the peasants and wanted to wait until the country was fully industrialized to revolt.
5) The royal family discredited-there were many scandals about murders and Rasputin (who had affairs with court ladies and did hypnosis on Alexie to help his hemophelia).
1. How did Tsar Nicholas II survive the 1905 Revolution?
He survived because his opponents were not unified. There was no central leadership, he had been willing to compromise at the critical moment by issuing the October Manifesto, promising concessions, and most of the army remained loyal.
2. What was the Tsar's general attitude about the Dumas?
The Tsar did not like the Dumas. He had the first Duma dispersed by troops after ten weeks. He did the same thing with the second Duma. The third Duma lasted longer because it was much more conservative.
3. What specifics improvements occcured following the 1905 Revolution?
There were improvements in industrial working conditions and pay. There were cancellation of redemption payments, which were annual payments to the government of serfdom in 1861, although peasants had received their legal freedom, these payments had reduced over half the rural population to dire poverty. There was more freedom of the press. Also there was genuine democracy in which the Duma would play an important part in running the country.
4. Summarize the 5 major weaknesses of the Tsar's regime.
1) Failure of the land reforms-growing peasant population who were forced to buy land, and inefficient farming methods couldn't support the growing populations
2) Industrial unrest-a wave of industrial strikes, the previous improvements didn't fully remove pre-1905 problems
3) Government repression-the secret police rooted out revolutionaries, the government made the mistake of alienating the three most important sections in society (peasants, industrial workers, and the educated class).
4) Revival of the revolutionary parties-separated into Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and the Mensheviks. Bolsheviks wanted a small disciplined party of professional revolutionaries who would work full time to bring about a revolution and include peasants. The Mensheviks had little faith in the cooperation of the peasants and wanted to wait until the country was fully industrialized to revolt.
5) The royal family discredited-there were many scandals about murders and Rasputin (who had affairs with court ladies and did hypnosis on Alexie to help his hemophelia).
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