Term
| Alexander II: Why called the “Great Reformer” List and explain some reforms, in addition to the Emancipation Proclamation. |
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Definition
-Made a lot of reforms in Russia’s favor -Reforms: -Judicial Reforms: provided trained judges, all equal in law, trail by jury of peers -Administrative reform: Zemstvo
-Military reform: reduced obligatory service time, created an army reserve -Others: let Russians travel, lifted university enrollment restrictions; improved education |
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Term
| Alexander III: Whose temperament did he most closely resemble? |
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Definition
- admired his grandfather Nicholas I
- both came to throne after periods of change and reform that had ended in tragedy: revolt & assassination
- both determined to restore law and order; both wanted a regulated and efficient state
- both believed in the sanctity and power of the autocracy; and both Russian nationalists
did not want change; did best to turn back the country’s clock |
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Term
| “Autocracy, Orthodoxy, Nationality”: Whose reign was defined by this slogan? Explain what it means. |
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Definition
Reign of Nicholas I
- reinforced traditions of authoritarian state (A return to the divine view of the tsar)
arbitrary action, censorship, police surveillance/harassment, serfdom, Orthodoxy: strongly/strictly supported orthodox faith, Nationality: good of whole country over individual, Advances and accomplishments: architecture, railway system, science & math |
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Term
| . Bloody Sunday: Explain what happened, and what the consequences were of this event. How did this impact the traditional “myth of the tsar”? For what reason, as expressed in “Father Gapon’s Petition to Nicholas II,” did employers and factory administrators refuse to address or even listen to the grievances of the working people? Identify one specific demand from each of the three categories of “indispensable” measures stated by this petition. |
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Definition
- First big clash between the government and people (crowd of peaceful working class petitioners-men/women/kids carrying icons&pictures of tsar to the imperial palace)
-Destroyed the myth of a mystical bond between the people and their “caring” father like tsar
-Refused to listen/address grievances of the working people because the law does not give them that right (considered all requests for better conditions unlawful)
1. Measures to eliminate the ignorance and disenfranchisement of the Russian people: Universal and compulsory public education, financed by the state
2. Measures to eliminate poverty of the people: Abolition of indirect taxes/ substitution of direct income tax
3.Measures to eliminate the oppression of labor by capital: 8 hr work day and standardization of over time |
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Term
| Decembrists: Who were the Decembrists, what did they want, and what did they do? From the assigned reading “The Decembrist Movement,” what or whom was to be the “source of supreme party” as written in the “Project for a Constitution” by Nikita Muraviev? In that same “Project,” is the Emperor (tsar) entitled to any role at all? Explain. |
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Definition
Revolutionaries( noble officers) included officers in guard regiments. Brought enlightened ideas from France. Wanted change to gov and social structure :autocracy, serfdom, a constitution
• Nicholas I put down the revolt against him, executing some, exiled many
- “The source of supreme power” is the people whom have the exclusive right to make laws for themselves
-No the Tsar is not entitled to any role- it is a much more democratic system with the power more split up |
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Term
| Dostoevsky; Dream of a Ridiculous Man: Be familiar with the plot, the “mission” of the ridiculous man, and the group of intelligentsia whose objectives this story best illustrates. |
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Definition
Identifies with Slavophiles most; Plot: man plans to kill himself, but then on his way home to do so he meets a little girl and she asks for help, he pushes her aside, thinking about not helping decides not to kill self but kills self in heart. wakes up and seeks to help people especially girl
-Mission: kill himself at first but big picture: love thy neighbor like love yourself |
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Term
| Duma: What was the duma, and what event necessitated its creation? |
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Definition
-a body of highest-ranking nobles (boyars), serving in the capacity of advisors to the prince
- a strike movement shut down almost all activity in St. Petersburg→ caused tsar Nicholas II to sign Witte’s October Manifesto which promised the people a broad representative legislative assembly called the Duma (improved labor conditions/armed forces) |
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Term
| Emancipation Manifesto: What, according to Thompson, was the “main issue” in the reform? What were some consequences, both negative and positive. |
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Definition
Favored the nobility, peasants did not get as much land as they wanted. A compromise between the serfs and nobles for their freedom.
- main issue: who would get how much land
- 2 pos. results: it provided a supply of free labor for development of capitalist agriculture and industry
•consequences: noble landholdings fell by almost 30%- most could not manage their estates. Peasants remained bound by the obshchina. Population explosion led to increasing scarcity of land |
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Term
| Folk Art: How does folk art differ from “high” art? What was the original purpose of folk creations? Was it merely decorative? Be familiar with examples of different kinds of folk art, and the basic materials used to create them. |
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Definition
-Created by peasants to use in their own houses/for own use (paintings on household items)
-Known as household art and was very functional (not very decorative)
-Gzhel Ceramics (distinctive white and blue tableware)
-Khokhloma Ware
-cardboard form coated w/ clay, fired, coated in aluminum powder, fired again, painted&lacquered
- red and black; good finish;
-Dymkovo Clay Toys -”folk culture”
-Clay formed , fired, white washed, and painted
-Wooden Toys- trinity monastery oldest center for this craft (simple, roughly finished)
-Matryoshka- symbolic, origin undecided |
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Term
| Free Music Society: Who founded it, what was it, and what was its purpose? |
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Definition
| Created to play the music of the “free” Russian musicians; founded by Mili Balakirev |
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Term
| Mikhail Glinka: Who was he, and how did he contribute to Russian musical culture? |
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Definition
| Initiator of the national movement in Russian music; “A Life for the Tsar” (1836); first great Russian composer; his operas join classical musical forms from Europe with Russian folk melodies, songs and melodies. |
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Term
| Holy Synod: What was its purpose? Under whose rule was it introduced? |
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Definition
| Introduced under Peter the Greats rule; purpose= permitted gov. to keep a tight rein on church activities and policies. |
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Term
| Intelligentsia: Who were the intelligentsia, and what did they do? Be familiar with the ideas of the Westernizers, Slavophiles, and Populists. |
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Definition
| Intelligentisa= members of a subclass of Russian society whose main focus= intellectual life and discussion; predominantly from upper classes but included sons and daughters of clergy, civil servants and merchants; criticized the ‘system’; majority preferred peaceful change; 2 main schools of thought: Westernizers and Slavophiles…later populists; Westernizers= hailed work of Peter I and urged reform following his example, stressed rational and secular thought, wanted to bring about changes in education, gov. and social reform. Slavophiles= idealized Russia’s past and rejected Western civilization as a model for Russian development, wanted to improve existing system but keep the tradition of the autocracy: zemskii sobor, imagined a future based on brotherly love, peace and harmony; ‘sobornost’ and spiritual values of orthodox church and social values of the people. Populists= tried to ‘go to the people’ as rural teachers, doctors and vets; some meant to help the people the best they could others nutured ideas of popular revolution, many put faith in a spontaneous revolution of the people which they had merely to help foster…groups could be violent (People’s Will) |
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Term
| . “Keeping A-Breast of the Waist-Land”: According to Helena Goscilo’s article, what forms of Russian women’s fashion allowed for women’s own self-expression? On the other hand, what forms of Russian women’s fashion served to display their father’s or husband’s socioeconomic status, rather than their own self-expression? Be prepared to explain your answer. |
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Definition
- Russian clothing among upper class meant French or English fashion
- accessories allowed women creativity and control and gave measure of women’s worldliness and charm; allowed women to act out “sundry roles” and construct a persona. Fan: shrinking fan size, growth of self confidence in women; way woman fanned herself expressed different emotions; way to tell what a women was thinking. Shawl: wear diff ways to imply something about their character. Corset: “Romantic look” that redistributed focus to make waist the epicenter of the female body
-Crinoline: steel skeleton size associated with father/husband social hierarchy. Bigger=higher status |
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Term
| Lubok: What were lubki (pl.) in popular Russian culture? Did they require literacy? Explain. |
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Definition
| -wood-cut prints(print characterized of simple drawing/narratives) made so peasants would be able to understand the stories because they were illiterate. Used as decoration/come from folktales. Require literacy because had writing on them |
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Term
| Mighty Handful: Who were they, and what was their unifying purpose? Know the significant works of Modeste Mussorgsky. |
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Definition
- followed musical tradition set by Michael Glinka
- “the five”: Mili Balakirev, Caesar Cui, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Borodin, Modest Mussorgsky
-unified by their desire to reject the influence of the West and turn to Russian roots for inspiration
•Modest Mussorgsky: member of the guards and composer of: Boris Godunov, Pictures at an Exhibition |
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Term
| Moral Fables: What was the audience of Fedor Emin’s collection? Whom did this audience likely not include? |
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Definition
- audience:educated urban public- never reached wide audience; not known outside educated/ urban public
-didn’t include peasant audience |
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Term
| Myth of the Tar: Describe this myth and explain its relevance to the rule of Nicholas II. |
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Definition
•Belief that the tsar was always benevolent in his intentions toward the common people; injustice and oppression = not from the tsar but from his evil counselors- the boyars; his actions demonstrated his concern for the welfare of the people. Belief that the tsar was always benevolent in his intentions toward the common people
-Problem w/ myth: its basic FALSITY
Bloody Sunday 1905- working people went to tsar to express grievances, tried to ask for things (shorter works days/better pay) thought he would help but instead guards shot at them and killed over 100 people so blamed tsar and myth of the tsar was officially over. |
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Term
| Nicholas I: How and why was the rule of Nicholas I oppressive and reactionary? |
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Definition
He was reactionary because of the Decembrists revolt ->treated them harshly->generation of dedicated followers. Made it illegal for people to petition for freedom and to talk badly against the government.
- firm stand on maintain serfdom->peasant uprisings->deployment of military forces to suppress them
- he censored of the press and intellectuals’ work that spoke against gov. (“Golden age” of Russian lit)
-Oppressive bc created a “third section” (secrete police) to seek out any type of revolutionary beginnings. Restriction on educational opportunities to only high members of Russian society |
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Term
| Nicholas II: What kind of ruler was he, and what significant events occurred during his reign? What individuals heavily influence his reign? Name two rights of the autocrat (“The Essence of Supreme Autocratic Power”) and two rights of the people (“Rights and Obligations of Russian Subjects”) as stated in The Fundamental Laws of Imperial Russia, 1906. |
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Definition
-type of ruler: autocratic, weak, suspicious, narrow minded
- significant events: October Manifesto granted Russian parliament w/ 1st constitution- country lacked prerequisites for the constitution system; painful transition. Bloody Sunday. Rev of 1905
-influenced by Sergie Witte, Peter Stolypin, Gregory Rasputin
-two rights of the autocrat: possesses supreme autocratic power that God himself commands obedience to. Approves laws and w/o his approval no legislative measure can become law
-rights of people: Rights of people determined by law. Subjects enjoy freedom of religion but terms to enjoy this freedom= determined by law. People can express thoughts orally or written (even publication) |
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Term
| . Obshchina: What was this, how did it function, and what were its responsibilities? What, according to Thompson, were the “two unfortunate effects” of retaining the obshchina after the Emancipation? |
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Definition
| 2 unfortunate effects= peasant still bound to the village and its collective assembly which determined when and how he would farm as well as his share of taxes to the gov. and peasant remained a second-class citizen with special status and institutions and without the same standing as other subjects of the tsar. Usually consisted of several extended families was a farming commune. Decisions in obshchina taken fairly democratically by a consensus of the heads of all the households participating. Supposed to take care of the land, work the land etc. Collective village institution, made general agricultural decisions such as what and when to plant but each household worked its strips individually. Also responsible as a whole for a village’s general obligations: work or payment to the lord, taxes, and conscripts for the tsarist gov. |
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Term
| October Manifesto: What was it, and what event(s) necessitated its creation? What issues did it address? |
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Definition
| A document promising reform to stop the growing revolution against the government; established civil freedoms and a limited form of constitutional government in Russia. Promised the people a broadly representative legislative assembly to be called the Duma as well as full civil liberties= freedom of press, assembly and speech; legalized trade unions, canceled the remaining redemption dues owed by the peasants and relaxed restrictions against minority nationalities. Events leading to October Manifesto = insufficient land for the peasants, competing ideologies between Marxism and liberals, inefficient agriculture acted as brake on economy, and gov. taxation all threatened a revolution. |
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Term
| Peasant Experience: What specific hardships did the peasants face, even after the Emancipation Manifesto of 1861? |
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Definition
| Peasants remained bound by the obshchina and burdened by redemption dues. Population explosion led to increasing scarcity of land. |
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Term
| The People’s Will: Who were the People’s Will, and what was perhaps their most notorious act? |
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Definition
| Group of radical terrorists that assassinated Alexander II and more than a dozen prominent officials; favored radical change; most notorious act= blowing up Alexander II with a bomb. |
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Term
| “The Petrine Revolution”: Be familiar with specific ideas about women’s lives as discussed in Engel’s article. In what respect was the initial impact of Peter’s reforms “almost entirely negative” for some noblewomen? What were “sufficient qualifications” for a future bride in the pre-Petrine period? How did “qualifications” change by the end of the 18th century? What were women’s rights in regard to property ownership? |
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Definition
-women’s lives: only few owned serfs to perform “women’s work,” sewed/cleaned/mended clothing, tended animals, food grown/gathered/preserved/prepared, supervise housekeeping
- experienced Petrine Revolution through family roles
-initial impact negative: requiring noblemen to serve state for life primarily in army depriving wives of husbands/ mothers of sons; possibly forced women to follow husbands to unfamiliar places
- “sufficient” qualifications for a future bride: raised age at which women could take the veil, fail to marry: fated to spend decades as dependent in someone else’s household, arranged marriages were normal
- qualifications: good dowry, virtuous/submissive character, competency in household mgmt
- qualifications changed by late 18th cen: early 18th cent: 12 was min age for marriage, by end age increased, men began to express romantic tenderness; acknowleged love
- rights of property ownership: legal right to own and manage immovable property, even when married. Law that abolished the Petrine policy of single inheritance not only permitted nobles to bestow land on marriageable daughter but invested women with full rights of ownership on their estates. A later decree formalized women’s separate control of property allowing them to dispose of assets w/o husband’s consent |
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Term
| Alexander Pushkin; Who was Pushkin, and why was he so important to Russia’s literary development in the 19th century? |
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Definition
| Russia’s most famous and loved writer; vocal critic of the autocratic system in general and Alexander I personally; his writing marked the “The Golden Age of Russian Literature” encouraged Russian people to read his works through the type of stories he wrote which were relatable to every class. |
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Term
| Gregory Rasputin: Who was he, and how did he gain influence in the court of Nicholas II? |
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Definition
| Self-proclaimed holy man was able to affect gov. appointments/policies because was able to stop the bleeding of Nicholas’s hemophilic son who was heir to the throne; eventually murdered by conservative conspirators. |
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Term
| Revolution of 1905: What factors contributed to this revolution? How was it different from any previous revolution? Who took part in it? |
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Definition
| Who participated: industrial workers and people from the professions and business, national minorities, peasants, mutinies in the army and navy, middle-class liberals. Different from any previous revolution because almost every social group participated. Factors contributing to revolution= long-standing grievances, social injustices, political frustrations in Russian society, the strain and sacrifice of war with humiliating Russian losses and the country’s final defeat by Japan. |
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Term
| Stolypin Reforms: What was the main goal of these agricultural reforms, and what was its objective? |
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Definition
| Make agriculture more productive so that it would act as less of a brake on the economy as a whole; objective= give peasants a sense of proprietorship thereby encouraging them not to seize land illegally as they had in 1905 and not to follow the enticements of revolutionary parties that had promised to expropriate land on their behalf. |
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Term
| Streltsy: Who were the streltsy, under whose rule were first organized? Under whose rule did this group come to an end? |
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Definition
| Specialized military units of musketeers who were first organized under Ivan the Terrible’s rule; ended under Peter the Great’s rule. |
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Term
| Peter Tchaikovsky: Who was he, and what was his contribution to Russian musical culture? |
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Definition
| Composer who many of his ballets and operas were based on European works; contribution to Russian musical culture= incorporated Russian themes into music influenced by Europe |
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Term
| The Third Department: Under whose rule was the Third Department (or Third Section) created, and for what purpose? |
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Definition
| Created under Nicholas I; was a Secret Police in order to enforce censorship, harass the government’s critics and suppress the dissent. |
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Term
| Leo Tolstoy, “Alyosha the Pot”: How does the protagonist Alyosha “the pot” embody and demonstrate the best way to live, according to Tolstoy? Using specific details from the story, list two characteristics/traits of Alyosha and explain how they exemplify Tolstoy’s ideals. |
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Definition
| Alyosha does not care about material things and instead focuses on what makes him happy such as love; he does not get distracted by want like his employers do; Tolstoy critiques the fakeness in society and how there is an artificiality to modern life; Alyosha is pure so he only wants to make others happy and is naïve to the evilness of the world around him. Alyosha is also happy which shows how someone is able to be happy in life even if they lack material things. |
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Term
| Wanderers: How did they come in to being? What are some characteristic features of their art? |
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Definition
| Evolved from a group of 13 students who left the Academy of Fine Arts in 1863; Characteristic features of their art= depicted harsh realities of both urban and rural life; historical themes relevant to contemporary issues; significant cultural and social figures and folktales and popular culture. |
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Term
| War of 1812: What impact did the outcome of this war have on Russia’s standing as a major European power? |
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Definition
| Greatly increased Russian prestige in Europe and ensured major Russian influence in European affairs for several decades to come. |
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Term
| Sergei Witte: What was the so-called “Witte System”? |
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Definition
| Subsidies and tariffs to promote heavy industry and Russian exports; extensive borrowing from abroad to accelerate Russian industrialization; stabilization of the fiscal system including adoption of the gold standard, the building of railroads and the accumulation of capital by selling Russian grain in European markets. |
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Term
| Women in the 19th Century: What was the “Woman Question”? How did Alexander II impact women’s educational opportunities? How did Alexander III impact women’s educational opportunities? What particular fields did educated women mostly occupy? |
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Definition
| Addressed issue of equal rights for women in access to education, career opportunities and in the political arena. Alexander II impacted: Women’s Medical Courses ceased accepting new students and by 1887 ceased operation altogether, 1886 admissions to all other women’s courses ended. Fields most educated women occupied= mathematics and science, teachers, clerks, secretaries and typists. |
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Term
| Xenophobia: In what respect is the xenophobia first evident to Russia as a result of the Mongol invasion, also evident in Russia in the 19th century? Refer to at least one specific example. |
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Definition
| The isolation from the west after the result of the Mongol invasion is also evident in 19th century because the country’s loss of status and territory in the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union= Russians found it difficult to accept the country now being a second-class power and the people yearned for the lost glory and prestige. Many blamed the west esp. the U.S for this comedown on the world’s stage= gov. sponsorship of an active youth movement called Nashi which reflected extreme nationalist and xenophobic outlook. |
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Term
| Zemskii Sobor: What was this, and under whose reign was it originally created? Did it have any relevance to the 19th century? Explain. |
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Definition
| Created under Ivan the Terrible; “assembly of the land”; advisory group representing the boyar elite, the gentry, church officials, townspeople and one occasion a few state peasants. Marxism was an ideology in the 19th century that was a belief held by people from all different classes including townspeople, peasants etc. that was looking to make a change to the government. |
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Term
| Zemstvos: What were the zemstvos? Who composed the bodies of the zemstvos, and what areas of concern did they address? |
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Definition
| New district and provincial 1864 (self-gov.) assemblies whose members were elected separately by all classes: nobles, townsmen and peasants…had limited budgets and were restricted to managing only local issues such as education, public works, health and welfare; provided excellent training in politics and governance for future liberal opponents of the autocracy and served local needs well. |
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Term
| According to a Russian proverb, “when the tsar has a cold, all of Russia coughs.” Throughout the semester, we’ve examined how the varying temperaments and personalities of individual tsars greatly impacted all of Russian society and culture. For this essay, describe how the personalities and individual beliefs of three different tsars shaped their national policies, and therefore impacted all of Russia. |
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Definition
• Ivan the Terrible mainly remembered for the horrible things he did. After coming back from being away, Ivan took on a horrible attitude and began to punish his people. Because he felt as though he had been cheated due to the death of his wife and issues with the boyars, he was not happy and this was reflected on the way Russian’s suffered. He killed many Russians and tried to gain as much power as possible for himself.
• -Peter the Great made a lot of changes to Russia. He changed the government organization, made a lot of improvements and advancements to education. Russians were happy and felt they were being served by the Tsar, which made them like him. During this period of growth both the Tsar and the people were happy, and many advances were made.
• -Alexander II made a lot of change toward western thinking. He was very liberal compared to his father. Under his reign, industrialization grew. He also ended serfdom. He also made the justice system fairer with trained judges and a promise for a fail trial. He decreased the service requirement. |
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Term
| Discuss the changing role of women in the family and society throughout Russian history, from the medieval period to the early 20th century. In your discussion, it will be helpful to consider the following: Russian fairytales, The Russkaya Pravda, The Domostroi, Goscilo’s “Keeping A-Breast of the Waist-Land,” Engel’s “The Petrine Revolution,” “The Women Question,” education, etc. Refer to pre-Petrine, Petrine, and post-Petrine eras in your discussion. |
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Definition
• -During the pre-Petrine times women were married off at very young ages and were expected to bare many children. The Domostroi was published, it set strict guidelines of how women of nobility should conduct themselves. They were to always be at the service of their husband and to complete all the chores at home and make sure everything in the household was running smoothly. During this time it was acceptable for men to abuse their women.
• -During the Petrine Era women were still married off at young ages and were expected to be wives and children makers. But they began to have more rights. It was acceptable for women to become educated and literate if they were of the upper class. “Keeping A-Breast of the Waist-Land” talks about the changing in women’s fashion which reflected the changing in their roles.
• -In the post-Petrine era people began recognizing women. Women began to have more say in political issues. “The Women Question” was addressed, evaluating if women should be treated equal. During this time more educational opportunities opened up for women. |
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Term
| Discuss continuity and change in Russian art over the period covered by this course. Point out at least three stages in its development, and discuss the reasons motivating the various movements or styles. You can refer to icon painting, peasant art, neo-classical portraiture, Romanticism, and/or the Wanderers. |
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Definition
1. Romanticism- revolt against rationalism of enlightenment, sensitivity and subjective feeling, significance of individual experience and interest in and idealization of the past.
2. Folk art- folk/national/popular art; household art= functional and utilitarian. Objects created by peasants for own use. Stage 1= Ceramics: Gzhel- distinctive blue and white tableware- small things, plates, jars, etc. Stage 2= Toys: Dymkovo- clay toys, ‘folk sculpture’, and wooden toys. Stage 3= Matryoshka- symbolic; dolls inside of dolls; traditionally alternate boy girl boy girl reflect modern themes.
3. Icon painting- exaggerated features, no perceptive, large ears and eyes. Encouraged after Catherine’s “Enlightened Despot” increases focus on religion. |
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Term
| Much of the literature discussed in this course either comments upon or criticizes Russian society, in hopes of exposing what is wrong in Russian society or providing a good example for how people should live. In this essay, discuss three of the literary texts that were read in recitation, and specifically analyze how they either criticize Russian culture, and/or provide an example of how one should live. (Authors to consider: Radishchev, Turgenev, Gogol, Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov; the fairytales). |
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Definition
1. Tolstoy criticizes modern Russia’s extreme focus on the material things in life while forgetting what is truly important such as love and family. Critiques the fakeness, artificiality and greed he sees in society. Uses Alyosha as a character of extreme goodness in order to demonstrate how real happiness is not found in objects but in relationships with people.
2. The fairy tales like Jack Frost further show how being greedy can result in death such as when the mother’s daughter sends her out in the cold in order to gain riches and because the little girl is an evil person she receives death instead. It is only those who do not constantly seek more material things that good fortune is placed upon them because they are good and innocent.
3. In Dream of a Ridiculous Man the author again critiques Russian society because the character in his story feels no real connection to the world around him because his society has been tainted and corrupted by lies, greed, evil, murder etc. it is only when he visits the dream world that he realizes how to find true happiness in his world and that is through loving others and himself. |
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