Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

What form of government ruled Russia prior to the Revolution of 1917?

1. Democracy

2. Autocracy

3. Monarchy

4. Oligarchy

The correct answer is: Autocracy

The form of government that ruled Russia prior to the Revolution of 1917 was characterized as an autocracy. In an autocratic regime, one individual holds absolute power, and this was exemplified in the final years of the Russian Empire under Tsar Nicholas II, who exercised control over the state with limited checks on his authority. While one could argue that autocracy and monarchy share some similarities, the correct term for the system in place would be autocracy due to the Tsar's unchallenged rule and centralization of power. In this context, the monarchy was merely a means to categorize the leadership style rather than accurately describe the governing process, which lacked political pluralism and democratic institutions. Democracy implies a system of representation and rule by the people, which was absent in Russia at this time. Oligarchy refers to a form of power structure where a small number of people hold control, which was not the predominant characteristic of the Russian government either, as the Tsar held unilateral power. Thus, autocracy most accurately describes the governing system in place in Russia before the significant political upheaval of the 1917 Revolution.