Nicholas: Character Background

Question 1

Rise to Power

Answer 1

Rose to power in 1894

Controlled by Pobedonostonev, who instilled “Autocracy, Orthodoxy, and Monarchy”

Question 2

Liberal Legacy from Two Previous Tsars

Answer 2

Liberal Legacy of Serfdom
1881 = Law reducing land redemption payments;
1883 = Peasant bank created;
1903 = Former serfs could leave their communes without a permit.

The Labour Market
Workers hours were limited
Child labour reduced

Question 3

Historiography: Tsardom until Nicholas II

Answer 3

Seton-Watson: Tsarist rule to 1905 was inept

Figes: Flawed autocracy

Question 4

Need for economic modernisation

Answer 4

Landowners had no capital to invest in industry; horrible infrastructure;