Autocracy to Socialism - Russian Revolutions Quiz | History

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1905 discontent was rife in the Russian countryside as well as the cities. Many peasants were starving due poor agricultural techniques and remained landless, merely working on the land of absent nobles. On top of this, workers had to endure long hours in dreadful conditions and national minorities began to demand self-government following the Tsar's policy of "Russification". With such poor class relations, the Tsar and his advisors made a vain attempt to boost morale with the victory in an "easy war". Which country was involved in this war with Russia from January 1904 to August 1905?

Answer: Japan

This war was anything but easy. The expansionist nation of Japan annihilated the Russian navy and by the end of the war Russia had lost Port Arthur and its sphere of influence in Manchuria. The best thing the Tsar did to placate the masses at this time was ending the war.

2. In response to the problems of the working class, what started out as a peaceful protest turned into a massacre as many demonstrators were killed by the panicked police force that opened fire on the hymn singing crowd. Although not present during what became known as "Bloody Sunday" in January 1905, Tsar Nicholas II was hugely discredited. Who led this "peaceful protest" which is seen as the start of the 1905 revolution?

Answer: Father Gapon

Father Gapon was born to a Ukrainian peasant family and later became a police agent as well as a priest in the Russian Orthodox religion.

Following the events of "Bloody Sunday" it is reported that some 400,000 workers went on strike.

The issues of land ownership, worker conditions and nationalism one can be seen as the long term causes of the 1905 revolution. Along with the Russo-Japanese war and Bloody Sunday, Witte's economic policy (keeping wages low and taxes high) as well as the Tsar's inadequacy as a ruler made up the middle-short term causes of the revolution.

3. With mass unrest and violence from almost every class in Russia it would seem a miracle that the Tsar survived 1905. However, the fact was that for many the 1905 revolution was not a case of overthrowing the Tsar, but rather improving the living conditions in Russia. Furthermore, with different classes having different demands the revolution lacked unity, making it easier for the Tsar's administration to placate the masses. Which piece of legislation in 1905 seemingly offered great concessions to the Russian people?

Answer: The October Manifesto

The October Manifesto was written by the economics minister Witte, and it aimed to divide the masses. It aimed to increase civil freedoms, offered a legislative Duma (Russian parliament) and allowed the formation of trade unions and political parties, which had previously been prohibited.

In the main, the October Manifesto was successful in its aim of dividing the opposition as workers went back to work and the liberal party split into those who accepted (known as the "Octoberists") and those who opposed (known as the "Kadets").
With a now weakened opposition the Tsar used the loyal armed forces to crush any uprising which challenged his "divine right to rule".

However, for those optimistic liberals the October Manifesto was not to bring about the great reform the desired. The Tsar now set about limiting the power of the Duma before its first meeting in April 1906. These included making the Duma as conservative as possible and stating the Tsar had the power to choose all ministers as well as the power to dissolve the Duma whenever he so chose.

4. Once again under the obstinate autocratic thumb of the Tsar, any attempts at an uprising were violently crushed by the still loyal armed forces. However, with bitter disappointments over political reform along with the effects of World War I severe discontent again clearly surfaced in 1917. Which of these was NOT an issue leading to the February Revolution?

Answer: Peasants were disgruntled with political issues

Peasants had little interest in political activity. During the first World War, peasants seemed relatively content.
Following Stolypin's land law in December 1906 kulaks (rich peasants) appeared and the poorer peasants drifted into the cities to find work. Therefore, the more capable peasants were able to farm the land more efficiently and most evidence suggests that harvests during the war years were very good.
However, things were different for the other social classes.

5. In terms of violent unrest in Russia, the February Revolution did not compare to that in 1905. The real difference of this revolution in bringing about radical change was the loss of support for the Tsar from the "elites" and the army. World War I acted as a catalyst for the disposal of the Tsar as many loyal high ranking officers had been killed in battle (due to lack of preparation and supplies of the Russian army). For which of the following reasons did the nobles feel the Tsar should step down?

Answer: They felt he had been corrupted by Rasputin

Another reason for their urging the Tsar to step down was the belief that if power was taken from him by force, they (as landowners) would suffer financially.

Yes, the "Mad Monk" Rasputin was very significant in the alienating of many nobles and ministers. As Nicholas II became commander in chief of the army in 1915, Rasputin was left alone with his wife Alexandra. Alexandra did what Rasputin advised as she valued him as the "healer" of her son Alexei, who suffered from haemophilia. As nobody knew of Alexei's illness rumours grew of a scandal involving Rasputin and the Empress Alexandra.

The resentment of Rasputin from nobles was seen in his infamous murder carried out by a group including Felix Yusupov, a member of the richest family in Russia.

6. By 1917 the Tsar's own family had started planning his replacement. However, the Tsar accepted his abdication tamely after his train was intercepted by mutinous soldiers 100 miles from Petrograd. Although made official on February 28th, which man (President of the Duma) announced the abdication of the Tsar to the public on March 2nd?

Answer: Rodzianko

Rodzianko tried to warn the Tsar that "unrest was imminent". However, the Tsar ignored this, referring to Rodzianko as a "fat little fellow".

The Tsar was clearly wrong not to have listened to Rodzianko, however he was not wrong about the "fat" comment. Rodzianko referred to himself as the "fattest man in Russia".

7. A "dual power" came to rule Russia. This consisted of the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. Although having the power due to strong support from workers and soldiers, the Soviet allowed the Provisional Government to rule Russia during this period. This was done for several reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of those reasons?

Answer: The Soviet was being threatened with violence by the Provisional Government

The Provisional Government was made up of leading liberals, mainly kadets, and their job was to govern Russia until elections for a constituent assembly could be held. Key figures included Prince Lvov, Milyukov and Kerensky.

The Petrograd Soviet was an organisation which represented the workers and soldiers of Petrograd. This made the Soviet a popular organisation, however many members were discredited after joining the Provisional Government.

There was what became described as a "honeymoon period" when the two organisations co-operated very well, improving working conditions, granting greater civil freedoms and promising that elections for a constituent assembly would be held.
This honeymoon period would not last long as the two began to disagree over several pressing issues.

8. Many problems remained unsolved from the Tsarist regime. The moderate socialists seemed incapable of improving working conditions in the cities, managing the issue of nationalist minorities and solving the issue of who should own the land in the countryside. The main issue however was the war itself. The Provisional Government believed that Russia should remain in the war and decided that a large offensive should be launched in order to force a German defeat. Also known as the "Kerensky Offensive", which attack in 1917 failed miserably, weakening the Russian army?

Answer: June Offensive

The failure of the June offensive meant that if Russia were to lose they would have huge areas of land taken by Germany. Also, many in the government lost credibility amongst soldiers.

Another outcome of the failure of the June offensive was the unrest which became known as the July Days.

9. One of the actions of the "dual government" was the freeing of all political prisoners. This allowed for the return of Lenin. Upon Lenin's arrival he was horrified to see the co-operation of the Soviet with the moderate socialists in the Provisional Government. Lenin mounted an armoured car, declaring an end to co-operation with the Provisional Government, that all land should be given to the peasants, that the war should be ended and that power should be taken by the soviets. What were these demands collectively known as?

Answer: The April Theses

The immediate reaction to Lenin's April Theses was outrage, as many Mensheviks accused him of going against Marxism.
However, as the moderate liberals still were not able to satisfy the demands of workers and soldiers, a radical alternative was much needed. Lenin's slogans of "Bread, Peace and Land" and "All Power to the Soviets" were very appealing to these groups. As a result the Bolsheviks rallied behind Lenin.

The April Theses was written by Lenin on his journey from Switzerland to Russia. Lenin was aided in his journey by the Germans, who believed Lenin's arrival in Russia would cause unrest and hinder Russia's war effort.

10. On the 25/26th of October 1917 the Bolsheviks (Lenin's party) are said to have stormed the Winter Palace while the Provisional Government were in session and overthrowing them to become the dominant force in Russia. In reality this was a low key affair but its result was very significant as the Bolsheviks did become the ruling party in Russia. This could only be done after the sudden rise in support for the Soviet and decline in support for the Provisional Government. Which event was the key factor in allowing this to happen?

Answer: The Kornilov Offensive

During the July Days, many looked to Lenin and the Bolsheviks to take power. Upon Lenin's refusal, the Bolsheviks were largely discredited.
The Kornilov Offensive was the reason the Bolsheviks regained their support.

With problems due to war, economy and illegal land seizures, Kerensky (of the Provisional Government) called for the army general Kornilov to come and restore order. Kerensky then changed his mind, fearing that Kornilov would assume power, and asked for the Soviet to defend the capital. As the armed Soviet prepared to defend the capital, the approaching armed forces were stopped by railway workers. Although there was no conflict, the Soviet was now seen as the protector of the people. Kerensky and the Provisional Government did not do themselves any favours and they lost support from all classes.

The storming of the Winter Palace was done in the name of the Soviet, when in reality it was just the Bolsheviks.

So, in 12 short years and three revolutions Russia turned from a country under autocratic rule to a huge socialist/communist power under the leadership of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.

Source: Author doublemm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Autocracy to Socialism - Russian Revolutions Quiz

This quiz looks at how three major revolutions (1905, February 1917 and October 1917) led to the fall of the autocratic Tsar and the rise of communist "heroes".

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