IGCSE History

Reasons for the NEP The Krondstadt Rebellion: they had been the Bolsheviks' most feverent supporters and Lenin had to send Trotsky to put down the rebellion. However, he was worried that if they rebelled, the rest of the country might too. Frequent strikes in cities People in bread lines getting quite angry Factional criticism within communist party Frequent peasant revolts Effects of the NEP There was a fixed tax on produce, so peasants could now sell or retain the surplus as they wished. This meant they now had more motivation to produce, and agricultural production increased. Agricultural town markets were allowed to re-open, so people got more money and higher wages Some peasants became quite rich as a result of the new policy, so the class of Kulaks re-emerged. They had previously been demonized in Bolshevik propaganda, and this led to some opposition within the party. Some became ri...

Reasons for and effects of War Communism. Reasons Introduced to combat economic problems caused by the Civil War Thought workers would do better working for a cause - not for a system that made some rich and others poor Lenin used the aspect of grain requisition to feed the Red Army so they could have an increased possibility of winning the Civil War Principles, decrees and components of the policy Production was to be run by the state (private ownership of houses and businesses kept to a minimum) State control was to be granted over the labor of every citizen (military would become labor army once its purpose had been served) State should produce everything in its own undertakings (control activities of peasants Extreme centralisation introduced (economic life in Bolshevik areas was given to just a few organisations, which could confiscate and requisition as they wished) State should become the s...

Weaknesses and mistakes of the Provisional Government. They didn't think they had the authority to make important decisions and so didn't end the war At first, were afraid of being executed for treason by Tsarist officers Orders had to be approved by the Petrograd Soviet, who refused to cooperate Didn't try to tackle food shortages or agricultural problems They continued the war, and in 1917 launched an attack on Austria, which failed very badly. Support for them really fell after this. Abolished the Okhrana, which allowed political opponents to rise up quickly Didn't carry out significant reform.   The Petrograd Soviet. Formed on the 27th of Feb, 1917 Made up of workers and soldiers that had been part of previous commitees Controlled at first by Socialist Revolutionaries Issued Order Number One which declared that the Soviet had control of military forces in Petrograd ...

Russian defeats on the Eastern Front 1914 - 1916 Morale plummeted further with the deafeats at Tannenberg and Masurian lakes. By 1914, 1 million had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner. This number rose to 8 million in 1917. Soldiers were told to take weapons from the dead, which resulted in even more deaths because so many were ploughed down by Germany's armies, which were better equipped. Very poor leadership led to more defeats Soldiers lacked weapons and boots, so many were exposed to the effects of the cold and blamed this on careless, unfeeling officers. Economic, social and political effects of the war on Russia. Economic Shortages meant prices rose quickly Long bread queues and starvation Shortage in industrial materials meant that factories had to close This left many people unemployed Social Tsar at the war front (1915) meant that the losses were blamed on him per...

Emergence of opposition groups including the:   Constitutional Democrats (Cadets) Liberal party that first stood for fairness and reform As the revolution progressed, it lost its influence and its reputation failed Those who wanted the Tsar back were too afraid to admit it, and thus, joined the Cadets. As a result, the Cadets became a reactionary rather than liberal party, full of people who wanted to destroy its original cause from the inside.   Octobrists Formed to implement the terms of the October Manifesto (oct, 1905) Participated in Duma elections, and in the Third Duma (1907 - 1912) they won by far the greatest number of seats. Initially supported Stolypin's methods, but slowly became disillusioned with his recationary policies In September, 1915, after the outbreak of the first World War, they were critical of how the government was run Eventually joined with the Cons...

The attitude of Nicholas to the first four dumas. He refused to work with the Dumas because the people wanted change and this was deemed 'too radical' He kept changing who was in the Duma until they were moderate enough or shared enough of his views that it would be 'bearable'. He still had all the power, so he could dissolve the Duma whenever he wished The Duma had little or no power in proper affairs. They could not pass laws, appoint ministers or control important areas of finance such as military spending. The Duma elections clearly favoured the nobles, as they had 1 rep per 2000 people but the workers had 1 rep per 20,000 people . First duma: 1906 Second duma: 1907 Third duma: ? Fourth duma: 1912 The fourth Duma was by far the most successful. The Tsar even began to tentatively work with it, but the Dumas overall, had achieved little. The actions of the fourth Duma quickly...

Work in progress The Russo-Japanese War (1904-5) Causes Nicholas II had his eye on the Far East, which was an advantageous location in terms of military and trade. However, Japan was interested in the same area He thought a victory in a small war would mean that people would stop criticizing his government Wanted to unite Russia though patriotism Events Disaster Effects There were many more casualties than Nick-nick expected Morale plummeted Soldiers were deserting at an alarming rate It was an embarrassment for Russia, such a large country, to be beaten by such a tiny country. Supplies went into the war which led to shortages back home Father Gapon and Bloody Sunday (January 1905) Causes People were upset by the terrible working conditions, long hours and low pay, overcrowding and food shortages Oppression under the Tsar Nicholas II (and Alex III) kept using forced to put do...

Weaknesses of Nicholas II as Tsar. Nicholas II was a great family man, but not that great of a ruler. He lacked the drive and imagination of his predecessors. Dismissed able ministers Encouraged unhealthy rivlary within his own cabinet Insisted on seeing ministers exclusively one-on-one (lack of communication) Wasn't comfortable outside military situations Appointed family members and friends as ministers (corrupt) Easily influenced, esp. by Rasputin Avoided important decisions Preferred a quiet, family life. Even he admitted he knew "nothing of the business of ruling" Thought he had a god-given right to be an autocrat, and refused any requests for reform. Blind to the negative effects of his policies Witte and industrial growth. Wanted to give new strength to autocracy through reform Encouraged foreign investment in industry to bring in capital Wanted ind...