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Russian Revolution and Civil War History
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Russian Revolution and Civil War History
Russian Revolution and Civil War History
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1
Question
How did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand contribute to Russia's entry into World War I?
Answer
The assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 escalated tensions, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war, which triggered Russia's alliance obligations and involvement against half of Europe.
2
Question
Why did Russia rename its capital from St. Petersburg to Petrograd during World War I?
Answer
St. Petersburg sounded too German amid rising patriotism and anti-German sentiment during the war.
3
Question
Why did Lenin hope for Russia's defeat in World War I?
Answer
A military loss would weaken the Tsarist government, facilitating his revolutionary overthrow of the Tsar.
4
Question
How did World War I exacerbate Russia's internal problems compared to the Russo-Japanese War?
Answer
Unlike the smaller Russo-Japanese War, World War I caused massive shortages, desertions, economic collapse, and starvation on a national scale.
5
Question
Why was Tsar Nicholas II's decision to become Commander in Chief problematic?
Answer
He left governance to his unpopular German wife Alexandra and Rasputin advisor, worsening perceptions while fighting Germans.
6
Question
How did Rasputin's influence contribute to the decline of Tsarist reputation?
Answer
Rumors of him controlling Alexandra and sabotaging Russia, despite likely exaggerations, irreparably damaged Nicholas's image even after his murder.
7
Question
What triggered the February Revolution of 1917 in Petrograd?
Answer
Food shortages culminated on International Women's Day with thousands protesting hunger, joined by men, workers, and mutinying soldiers demanding end to war and autocracy.
8
Question
Why did soldiers join protesters during the February Revolution instead of suppressing them?
Answer
Soldiers shared hunger, war fatigue, and reluctance to kill fellow Russians, leading entire regiments to mutiny.
9
Question
How did liberal politicians contribute to Nicholas II's abdication?
Answer
Dissatisfied with Tsar's parliament shutdowns, they convinced generals that abdication would restore stability amid riots.
10
Question
Why did Nicholas II pass over his son Alexei for succession upon abdication?
Answer
Alexei was too young and unhealthy to handle the empire's crises, and Nicholas's brother also refused the throne.
11
Question
What was the 'dual power' situation after Nicholas's abdication?
Answer
Provisional Government acted as official authority while elected Soviets issued orders to workers and soldiers, creating a delicate balance.
12
Question
Why did Germany facilitate Lenin's return to Russia in 1917?
Answer
They believed Lenin would destabilize the new Russian government and force an exit from World War I.
13
Question
What were the key points of Lenin's April Theses?
Answer
Criticized Provisional Government and Soviets as bourgeois, demanded end to war, land redistribution, bread, and all power to Soviets.
14
Question
How did Kerensky's military offensive in 1917 backfire?
Answer
Heavy defeats worsened economy, hunger, and sparked riots/looting, mimicking pre-revolution chaos.
15
Question
What was the July Days event and its impact on Bolsheviks?
Answer
Armed workers rioted under Bolshevik slogans; Kerensky cracked down, arresting leaders and forcing Lenin to flee as a German agent suspect.
16
Question
Why did Kerensky appoint General Kornilov, and how did it backfire?
Answer
To appease conservatives alarmed by socialism and war handling; Kornilov attempted coup, forcing Kerensky to arm Bolsheviks for defense.
17
Question
How did the Kornilov Affair boost Bolshevik popularity?
Answer
They defended revolution via worker sabotage and organization, gaining soviet elections with Trotsky as Petrograd chairman.
18
Question
Describe the nature of the October Revolution compared to Soviet artistic depictions.
Answer
Underwhelming takeover: Bolsheviks walked into buildings with minimal resistance, unlike glorified violent heroism in art.
19
Question
Why did Bolsheviks dissolve the Constituent Assembly after elections?
Answer
They lost to Social Revolutionaries; Lenin deemed it unfair and counterrevolutionary, forcing closure to consolidate power.
20
Question
What was Trotsky's 'no war, no peace' strategy and why did it fail?
Answer
Stopped fighting without treaty; Germans advanced unopposed, forcing harsher Brest-Litovsk terms with massive territorial losses.
21
Question
Who were the main opponents in the Russian Civil War against Bolsheviks?
Answer
Whites (liberals, SRs), nationalists, warlords, anarchists, peasants, Cossacks, foreign powers (British, French, American, Japanese), Czech Legion.
22
Question
How did Reds win the Civil War despite odds?
Answer
Controlled industrial core for resources, Trotsky's military genius, White disorganization; used Red Terror for control.
23
Question
Why was Tsar Nicholas II and family executed in 1918?
Answer
To prevent White Army rescue during Civil War approach; guards acted amid complications, possibly without direct Lenin order.
24
Question
What were the socioeconomic impacts of the Civil War on Russia?
Answer
Massive famine killing 5 million, hyperinflation, destroyed railways, epidemics killing 3 million, plummeting life expectancy, population collapse in cities.
25
Question
Why did Lenin's health decline leading to his incapacitation?
Answer
Stress from civil war, assassination attempt, economic chaos caused headaches, insomnia, and strokes in 1922.
26
Question
How did Stalin rise to power after Lenin's decline?
Answer
As General Secretary, he appointed allies to key positions, building loyal network despite unglamorous role.
27
Question
Why did Lenin warn against Stalin despite appointing him General Secretary?
Answer
Stalin abused position, insulted Lenin's wife; Lenin recognized growing threat but was too ill to act.
28
Question
How did the 1905 Revolution differ from the 1917 February Revolution in outcomes?
Answer
1905 changed little structurally; 1917 ended Tsardom entirely, creating power vacuum for further revolution.
29
Question
Why did Provisional Government fail to consolidate power despite initial progress?
Answer
Continued war despite demands for peace, economic chaos, and Kornilov threat exposed weaknesses, boosting Bolshevik alternatives.
30
Question
If Russia had accepted initial German peace terms, how might Brest-Litovsk have differed?
Answer
Less devastating losses; 'no war no peace' invited deeper invasion, costing more territory, population, resources.