Russia

Setting the Stage: Russia 1815Largest Most populous nation in EuropeHuge multinational empire due to expansion in the

1600sEconomically underdevelopedSocial Structure: Landowning nobles dominated societyMiddle Class was smallMajority of Russians were serfs-laborers bound to the

land and to their masters Most serfs were peasants Some were servants, artisans, or soldiers forced into

the tsar’s armyTsars ruled Russia with absolute power: some made

liberal reforms, but often took them back in order to not lose support of nobles

Alexander II

Took throne in 1855-during Crimean WarRussia tried to seize Ottoman Lands along

Danube River-Britain and France help the Ottoman TurksRussia defeated

Shows Russia’s backwardness Very few railroad miles Inefficient military

Emancipation of Serfs

After the Crimean War-widespread reaction-reforms were s0ught by many

1861-isssued decree emancipating the serfs Not easy transition Former serfs now had to buy land they worked but

most were too poor to do so Lands allotted were too small to farm efficiently Peasants remained poor and unhappy Many moved to the cities Emancipation=Turning Point and boosted drive for

further reform

Alexander II

Many unhappy with reformsPeasants: had freedom but no landLiberals: wanted constitution and elected

legislatureRadicals: Demanded more revolutionary

changesMarch 13, 1981-terrorists assassinated

Alexander II

Alexander II

Set up zemstovs: elected assemblies-responsible for road repairs, schools, agriculture

Self-government at the local levelEased CensorshipSet up legal reforms: trial by juryMilitary terms reducedBrutal discipline-limitedStill relied heavily on agriculture but

encouraged growth of industry

Alexander III

Upset with father’s assassinationTurns to harsh methods: increased power of secret

police, restored strict censorship, exiled critics to Siberia.

Persecuted Jews: limited amount of Jews who were allowed to study in universities and practice certain professions, forced them to live in certain areas.

Pogroms: violent mob attacks were launched against Jews-many fled Russia and became refugees

Launched Russification: program aimed at suppressing cultures of non-Russian peoples within the empire One language: Russia One Church: Russian Orthodox Church

Alexander III and Nicholas II

Focused on economic development: building of railroads.

Set up Trans-Siberian Railroad: connected European Russia to Pacific Ocean

Tensions rose: govt. officials and business leaders thrilled with economic growth, but nobles and peasants opposed it.

Those who worked in the factories had poor/dangerous conditions and lived in slums surrounding factories.

Bloody Sunday

Russo-Japanese War: Russia suffers crushing defeat.Discontent with war and oppression-workers went

on strike-demanded shorter hours and better wagesLiberals called for a constitution and reforms to

overhaul the government.January 22, 1905- “Bloody Sunday”-Marchers

stormed Tsar’s Winter Palace Brought a petition for justice and reform

Tsar in fear fled and called in soldiers100’s of men and women killedPeople lost faith and trust in Tsar

Revolution of 1905

In months after Bloody SundayDiscontent explodedStrikes multipliedSome cities: workers took over local govt.Peasants revolted and demanded landMinority nationalities called for autonomyTerrorists targeted officials Collectively, this forced Nicholas to announce sweeping

reformsOctober Manifesto: promised “freedom of person,

conscience, speech, assembly, and union.”Agreed to summon a Duma: elected national legislatureno

law would go into effect without Duma approval

Results of Revolution

1906-first Duma met-quickly dissolved when it challenged the government

New Prime Minister appointed: Peter StolypinUnder his direction: arrests, pogroms, and executions

put in place to restore orderSoon noticed Russia needed reform and not repressionIntroduced moderate land reformsStrengthened zemstovs and improved educationSmall gains but not enough: assassinated in 1911More Dumas met but voting laws limited their power By 1914: Russia was still an autocracy! Russia’s boiling

point was rapidly approaching.