The Formation of the Soviet Union

1. How did czars rule in Russia? Nicholas II Alexander II Alexander III Absolutely = no democracy

2. What is the term used to describe Jews being beaten, killed, and their homes looted by Russians? Pogroms

3. In late 19th century, where did many Russian Jews flee? To U.S.

4. Who did radicals in Russia assassinate? Czar Alexander I

5. How did his son, Alexander II, respond to his father’s killing? Secret police / censorship

6. What caused unrest in Russia? Losing the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 People wanted better working conditions, more freedom, and an elected national legislature

7. What was the name of the event when Russian soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed protesters? Bloody Sunday

8. In addition to no bill of rights, what other conditions in Russia made the country ripe for revolution in 1917? No democracy

9. What other conditions in Russia made the country ripe for revolution? (And) Couldn’t supply troops (WWI)

10. What conditions in Russia made the country ripe for revolution in 1917? (And) Food shortages

11. What other conditions in Russia made the country ripe for revolution in 1917? (And) Czar (Nicholas II) not respected by people

12. What caused Czar Nicholas II not to be respected by most Russians? All above + Rasputin

13. Who was Rasputin? Illiterate monk / healing powers?

14. How did Rasputin gain the support of the czar and czarina? Healed czar’s son = bleeder

15. How did Rasputin contribute to the people’s disrespect for the royals? Chose incompetent friends

16. After Russian nobles realized Rasputin was further disrespecting the czar, what did they do? Murdered him

17. During WWI, what caused the Russian people to riot and stop working in the factories? Food shortages / against war

18. With troops unwilling to protect him, what was Czar Nicholas II forced to do? Step down as Czar

19. Who led the new Russian government after the Czar’s abdication? Alexander Kerensky

20. What did Vladimir Lenin promise the Russian people if they support him? Take Russia out of WWI

21. In addition to starting the Bolshevik Revolution, what was Lenin’s primary goal when he retuned to Russia in 1917? End private ownership

22. What did Vladimir Lenin promise Russians that made him so popular? Peace / bread / land

23. What was the name of the communist party that was led by Lenin? Bolsheviks

24. In November, 1917, who did squads of Red Guards, armed factory workers, and mutinous soldiers easily overthrow? Kerensky’s government

25. After the Bolsheviks seized power, what action did Lenin take as he had promised? Pulled Russia out of WWI

26.What was Lenin’s main objective when he took Russia out of WWI? Defeat internal enemies – spread Revolution

27. What was the name of the secret police that Lenin used as spies to hunt down enemies of the Revolution? Cheka

28. After Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized power, who won the civil war between the Whites (supported by the western powers) and the Reds? The Reds

29. After the civil war, what did Russia now call itself? Soviet Union = USSR

30. After the revolutionaries took over Russia, what happened to Czar Nichols II, his wife, son, and 3 daughters, including Anastasia? Anastasia on left Assassinated

31. What was the official ideology of communism in the Soviet Union? Government owns all land

32. Did all Russians in the Soviet system receive the same pay and benefits, as Marx advocated? No – Communist members = luxuries

33. What did Lenin believe the Russian Revolution of 1917 would inspire? Communist revolutions all over the world

34. What is the term to describe Lenin’s program of allowing some private ownership to attract more money back into Russia? NEP = New Economic Policy

35. After Lenin’s death in 1924, what two party leaders competed for the #1 spot? Trotsky and Stalin

36. How did Trotsky’s view of Communism (spread world revolution) differ from Stalin’s? Stalin = Modernize industry, “Socialism in One Country”

37. Who won the power struggle between Stalin and Trotsky?

38. How did Stalin gain power in the Soviet Union? Building a loyal following

39. Fearing foreign attacks, what was Stalin’s 5 Year Plan to make Russia a world power? Modernize Russia’s industry

40. What was Stalin’s plan for modernizing Russia in 5 years? Entire economy run by state

41. What is term to describe government deciding what and how many goods factories will produce? Centralized Planning

42. How would centralized planning increase industrial output? Set production goals

43. Between 1928 and 1938, Russian industrial productivity Rose substantially

44. What is the inherent problem with centralized planning by the government? Surpluses / shortages

45. What was another major problem with centralized planning? Poor quality products

46. What was collectivization, Stalin’s plan for increasing farm production? All farms state owned

47. How would collectivization lead to increased agricultural output? Larger farms = machines = ↑ output

48. Why didn’t the output of Soviet farms match those in Western Europe and the West? No incentive to work hard

49. What happened to peasants who refused to give their land to the state? Starved, killed or Siberia