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In 1892 Russia and France became allies in an attempt to counter the German-Austrian threat.

Russia: 1905-1914 - Tsarist Russia

Explore Tsarist Russia from 1905 to 1914 and see how autocracy, reform, and growing unrest shaped society under Nicholas II before the First World War began.

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Fascinating Fact:

Rapid industrialisation created growing cities such as St Petersburg and Moscow. Many factory workers faced low wages, long hours, and poor housing.

In GCSE History, this topic looks at Tsarist Russia between 1905 and 1914. You explore how Nicholas II ruled, why opposition grew, and how industrial and social change increased tension.

Key Terms

Autocracy: A system of government where one ruler holds almost all power and does not have to share it with an elected parliament.
Duma: The Russian parliament set up after the 1905 Revolution to advise the Tsar and pass laws, although its powers were often limited.
Industrialisation: The rapid growth of factories, railways, and heavy industry that changed where people lived and how they worked.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What was Tsarist Russia like between 1905 and 1914?

Tsarist Russia remained an autocracy, but it faced growing pressure from workers, peasants, and middle class groups. There were limited reforms, continued censorship, and repeated outbreaks of unrest.

Why is the 1905 Revolution important in GCSE History?

The 1905 Revolution is important because it forced the Tsar to grant the October Manifesto and create the Duma. It also revealed the depth of opposition to Tsarist rule across Russia.

How did industrial growth affect people in Tsarist Russia?

Industrial growth drew many peasants into cities to work in factories. This created crowded housing, tough working conditions, and new groups of workers who could organise strikes and protests.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

In 1892 Nicholas II's predecessor, Alexander III, entered into a formal military and diplomatic alliance with France, directed principally against Germany and Austria-Hungary. Under this agreement France supported Russia against these two central powers in 1914. What name was given to this Franco-Russian treaty?

The Dual Alliance

The Entente Cordiale

The Dual Entente

The Re-Insurance Treaty

Russia feared both German and Austrian expansion. France seemed an obvious ally, determined to recover the lost provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, and ensuring that Germany would have to fight a two front war in the event of conflict involving either party

2 .

Where was the treaty signed that brought the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 to an end?

Brest-Litovsk

Portsmouth

Vladivostok

St. Petersburg

The Tsar's government had no choice but to accept Japan's terms

3 .

Which one of these was not a daughter of Nicholas and Alexandra?

Tatiana

Olga

Marie

Saskia

Alexandra gave birth to four daughters before she eventually had a son

4 .

Of which political group was Trotsky a member when he took part in the 1905 Revolution?

Bolsheviks

Social Revolutionaries

Mensheviks

Kadets

A coalition of opposition parties briefly came together to oppose the Tsar's regime during 1905-6

5 .

Which nominal province of the Ottoman Empire was formally annexed by Austria-Hungary in 1908, causing concern to the Russian government about Austrian expansion eastward, and thus unleashing a full-scale international crisis?

Bosnia

The Sanjak of Novipazar

The Banat of Temesvar

The Voivodina

The Turkish Empire, dubbed the "Sick Man of Europe", was in gradual decline as some parts of its European territory were seized by neighbouring states while others made independent bids for sovereignty

6 .

Which of Nicholas II's ministers followed a two-pronged approach of simultaneous repression and reform, until his assassination at the Kiev Opera House in 1912?

Plehve

Pobedonostsev

Protopopov

Stolypin

As long as Russia was not at war and her economy thrived, the Romanov dynasty was quite likely to survive

7 .

In July 1914 Russian troops were put on a war footing by the Tsar's government in an attempt to forestall an Austrian attack on Serbia, supported by Germany. What is this process called?

Mobilisation

Enlistment

Conscription

Recruitment

The Tsar decided - on advice - to call up reservists and to move regular troops up to the front line

8 .

In 1913 the Romanov dynasty celebrated a major anniversary as Tsars. How many years were they celebrating on the throne?

400

300

200

500

This was a major milestone in the history of the Romanov family, and was celebrated accordingly

9 .

Which warship of the Russian Black Sea fleet was seized by its mutinous crew during the 1905 Revolution in an incident later made famous by the Soviet-era film-maker Sergei Eisenstein?

Aurora

Potemkin

Sverdlovsk

Anastasia

The incident was of little consequence at the time. It was the only imperial warship to be affected, and it could not leave the confines of the Black Sea. However, Lenin used the event for propaganda purposes after the Bolshevik success in 1917

10 .

What was the name of the Tsar's son (the Tsarevitch) who suffered from incurable haemophilia?

Alexander

Nicholas

Paul

Alexis

He was the youngest in a family of five. His illness cast doubt on his ability to serve effectively as Tsar come the time when when his father would eventually die

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Lenin and the Russian Revolution

Author: Edward Towne