One part of GCSE History is Russia in the first half of the 20th Century. A very major event in this topic is the Russian Revolution and the circumstances which brought it about - mainly it's poor performance in World War One.
Russia did not perform well in World War One (the Great War). Harsh conditions at home led to the February Revolution, which toppled the Tsar, and ushered in the Provisional Government. This government chose, perhaps unwisely, to continue Russia's involvement in World War One - whilst Lenin prepared to unleash the Bolshevik Revolution, which was his life's ambition.
Test you understanding of how revolution came to Russia in this quiz.
1.
|
What nickname was given to the Tsarist Russian military machine, suggesting slow speed combined with great weight? |
|
[ ] |
Steamroller |
[ ] |
Steam Engine |
[ ] |
Road Roller |
[ ] |
Locomotive |
|
|
2.
|
Which Tsarist general did well with three successful offensives against Austria-Hungary in 1915, 1916 and 1917? |
|
[ ] |
Brusilov |
[ ] |
Grand Duke Nicholas |
[ ] |
Samsonov |
[ ] |
Kornilov |
|
|
3.
|
To which of her advisors did the Empress Alexandra refer as "Our Friend"? |
|
[ ] |
Rasputin |
[ ] |
Miliutin |
[ ] |
Miliukov |
[ ] |
Grand Duke Alexander |
|
|
4.
|
Nicholas relinquished the throne on advice from liberal ministers, who feared a further revolution if the Tsar did not go. What was the precise decision that he made? |
|
[ ] |
To abdicate in favour of his son, the Tsarevitch |
[ ] |
To abdicate in favour of his kinsman Grand Duke Michael |
[ ] |
To remain as Tsar, but to abandon most of his political and military authority |
[ ] |
To abdicate in favour of no one, so ending the Romanov dynasty |
|
|
5.
|
Why was the government which succeeded the Tsar, between February and October 1917, known as the "Provisional" Government? |
|
[ ] |
It intended to hold elections soon to choose a constituent assembly |
[ ] |
It expected to be overthrown by violent revolution |
[ ] |
It was always determined to restore the monarchy as soon as the war was over |
[ ] |
It had no plan at all: either to continue in power or to seek an alternative |
|
|
6.
|
Which noble was the first leader of the Provisional Government? |
|
[ ] |
Alexander Kerensky |
[ ] |
Prince Lvov |
[ ] |
Tseretelli |
[ ] |
Dimitri Yusupov |
|
|
7.
|
Which former Social Revolutionary took over as leader of the Provisional Government until it was overthrown? |
|
[ ] |
Alexander Kerensky |
[ ] |
Maxim Litvinov |
[ ] |
Nikolai Chicherin |
[ ] |
Nikita Frunze |
|
|
8.
|
What was the main reason why the Provisional Government took the fateful decision to carry on the war? |
|
[ ] |
To remain loyal to her allies, Britain and France |
[ ] |
Thoroughly to defeat Germany, and to wreak vengeance on her |
[ ] |
To recover former Russian territory seized by Germany and Austria since 1914 |
[ ] |
To honour her responsibilities towards Serbia, for whom Russia claimed to have gone to war in the first place |
|
|
9.
|
Where did Lenin seek refuge after the failure of the "July Days", a premature attempt by a coalition of radical groups to overthrow the Provisional Government against the Bolsheviks' better judgement? |
|
[ ] |
Finland |
[ ] |
Switzerland |
[ ] |
Sweden |
[ ] |
London |
|
|
10.
|
Which warship from the Baltic fleet (and a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War) fired at the Winter Palace where the Provisional Government were in permanent emergency session, thus initiating the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917? |
|
[ ] |
Potemkin |
[ ] |
Aurora |
[ ] |
Ordzonokidze |
[ ] |
Alexander Pushkin |
|
|
1.
|
What nickname was given to the Tsarist Russian military machine, suggesting slow speed combined with great weight? |
|
[x] |
Steamroller |
[ ] |
Steam Engine |
[ ] |
Road Roller |
[ ] |
Locomotive |
|
|
2.
|
Which Tsarist general did well with three successful offensives against Austria-Hungary in 1915, 1916 and 1917? |
|
[x] |
Brusilov |
[ ] |
Grand Duke Nicholas |
[ ] |
Samsonov |
[ ] |
Kornilov |
|
|
3.
|
To which of her advisors did the Empress Alexandra refer as "Our Friend"? |
|
[x] |
Rasputin |
[ ] |
Miliutin |
[ ] |
Miliukov |
[ ] |
Grand Duke Alexander |
|
|
4.
|
Nicholas relinquished the throne on advice from liberal ministers, who feared a further revolution if the Tsar did not go. What was the precise decision that he made? |
|
[ ] |
To abdicate in favour of his son, the Tsarevitch |
[ ] |
To abdicate in favour of his kinsman Grand Duke Michael |
[ ] |
To remain as Tsar, but to abandon most of his political and military authority |
[x] |
To abdicate in favour of no one, so ending the Romanov dynasty |
|
|
5.
|
Why was the government which succeeded the Tsar, between February and October 1917, known as the "Provisional" Government? |
|
[x] |
It intended to hold elections soon to choose a constituent assembly |
[ ] |
It expected to be overthrown by violent revolution |
[ ] |
It was always determined to restore the monarchy as soon as the war was over |
[ ] |
It had no plan at all: either to continue in power or to seek an alternative |
|
|
6.
|
Which noble was the first leader of the Provisional Government? |
|
[ ] |
Alexander Kerensky |
[x] |
Prince Lvov |
[ ] |
Tseretelli |
[ ] |
Dimitri Yusupov |
|
|
7.
|
Which former Social Revolutionary took over as leader of the Provisional Government until it was overthrown? |
|
[x] |
Alexander Kerensky |
[ ] |
Maxim Litvinov |
[ ] |
Nikolai Chicherin |
[ ] |
Nikita Frunze |
|
|
8.
|
What was the main reason why the Provisional Government took the fateful decision to carry on the war? |
|
[ ] |
To remain loyal to her allies, Britain and France |
[ ] |
Thoroughly to defeat Germany, and to wreak vengeance on her |
[x] |
To recover former Russian territory seized by Germany and Austria since 1914 |
[ ] |
To honour her responsibilities towards Serbia, for whom Russia claimed to have gone to war in the first place |
|
|
9.
|
Where did Lenin seek refuge after the failure of the "July Days", a premature attempt by a coalition of radical groups to overthrow the Provisional Government against the Bolsheviks' better judgement? |
|
[x] |
Finland |
[ ] |
Switzerland |
[ ] |
Sweden |
[ ] |
London |
|
|
10.
|
Which warship from the Baltic fleet (and a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War) fired at the Winter Palace where the Provisional Government were in permanent emergency session, thus initiating the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917? |
|
[ ] |
Potemkin |
[x] |
Aurora |
[ ] |
Ordzonokidze |
[ ] |
Alexander Pushkin |
|
|