Imperial Russia, Revolution and the Establishment of the Soviet Union (1855–1924)

Chapter 1. Introduction; Chapter 2. Alexander II reform and the emancipation of the serfs 1855–61: 2.1. Why is Alexander II associated with the 'modernisation' of Russia?; 2.2. Why did modernization demand the emancipation of the serfs?; 2.3. How was emancipation carried out and how did this change Russia?; Chapter 3. Alexander II's subsequent reforms and their impact 1861–81: 3.1. How, and with what success, did the regime address the need for further modernisation in the empire?; 3.2. Was there a conservative reaction in the later years of Alexander II's rule?; Chapter 4. Alexander III (1881-1894) and Nicholas II (1894-1917): modernisation, repression and the growth of opposition to 1904: 4.1. What was the nature of tsardom under Alexander III and Nicholas II?; 4.2. What attempts were made at modernisation?; 4.3. Why and how did opposition movements grow?; Chapter 5. The 1905 revolution and its aftermath: 5.1. What was the significance of the Russo–Japanese War?; 5.2. What brought about the 1905 revolution?; 5.3. How successful was Stolypin in bringing about change in Russia from 1906?; 5.4. What was Russia like in 1914?; Chapter 6. The impact of War and the revolutions of 1917: 6.1. What was the impact of the First World War on Russia?; 6.2. Why did revolution break out in February 1917?; 6.3. Why were the Provisional Government and Dual Power overthrown in October 1917?; 6.4. What roles did Lenin and Trotsky play in the events of 1917?; Chapter 7. Lenin's Russia 1917–24: 7.1. How did the Bolsheviks consolidate power and win the Russian Civil War?; 7.2. Why was War Communism introduced in 1918 and replaced by the NEP in 1921?; 7.3. To what extent did the new Soviet state rely on terror and coercion?; 7.4. What was the relationship between Bolshevik Russia and the rest of the world?; Chapter 8. Exam practice; Further Reading; Index.