SGQ2

A. Reforms under Nicholas II
1. How was Nicholas able to survive the 1905 revolution?
i. His opponents were not united
ii. There was no main leadership, the uprising had happened spontaneously
iii. He compromised with the October Manifesto at a critical moment
iv. Most of the Russian Army were still loyal to him.

2. What reforms did Nicholas institute?
i. Improvement in pay and conditions for industrial workers
ii. The cancellation of payments made by peasants for freedom and land
iii. More liberties for the media
iv. True democracy in the form of the Duma
3. What happened to the Dumas?
The first Duma had too many rights for Nicholas to bear, and was henceforth dismissed after 10 weeks. The same fate befell the second Duma, at which point Nicholas changed the voting system so that peasants and factory workers could not vote. The next two Dumas were much more conservative and lasted longer, although they had no real power.

B. Strengths of the regime
1. how did Stolypin gain support of some peasants?
i. He did away with redemption payments.
ii. He encouraged peasants to buy their own payments.
iii. what is a kulak?
A wealthy peasant who owned his own farm.
2. how did the regime gain support among industrial workers?
Improved working conditions in the industries.
3. other positive signs for the regime
i. Universal education within 10 years, 50k more primary schools by 1914
ii. The revolutionary parties had little cash, were ripped apart by disagreements, and party heads were in exile.

C. Weaknesses of the regime
1. why were Stolypin's land reforms failing?
i. The amount of peasants was rising too fast.
ii. His methods weren't efficient enough to support the rise in population.
2. what was the trend with industrial strikes in the years leading to WWI?
The amount of strikes rose from 1912 through July 1914.
3. what three groups did the government especially target for repression?
i. Peasants
ii. Industrial Workers
iii. Intelligentsia (educated classes)

4. revolutionary parties - what did each hope for?
i. Bolsheviks - A small party of educated revolutionaries to bring the revolution.
ii. Mensheviks - Anybody and everybody to help them take over the country.
iii. Social Revolutionaries - A society based on peasant communities working together.

5. How was the royal family tainted by scandal?
i. Stolypin's death - People believed Nicholas was one of those who wanted Stolypin dead.
ii. Rasputin - Rasputin's drunkness and affairs with ladies of the court were noted by the people, but Alexandra refused to believe them.


D. World War I
What were considered failures in Russia's effort in WWI?
i. Nicholas made himself Supreme Commander
ii. Poor transportation organization
iii. Scarcity and high price of food
iv. Shortage of supplies
v. Corrupt legal system lead to havoc on the home front