RUSSIA BEFORE THE REVOLUTION

Russia was….. Only 40% ethnic Russians 80% were peasants – subsistence farmers 60%+ = illiterate Life expectancy = 40 Low tech and low investment Land ownership rare

Peasants Peasants could not leave the farm without permission Discipline and punishments harsh – even to exile in Siberia Drought and crop failure common 1891 = famine + cholera and typhus = 400,000 dead 1890 – 64 % of peasants called up for military service were declared unfit.

Industrial and Urban Number of factories doubled from –Still behind western Europe Russia was 4 th largest steel producer Tran-Siberian Railway built However, industrialization brings problems with living/working conditions, low wages, and child labor Trade unions banned but some strikes took place Marxism becomes popular  Power of the Proletariat

SOCIAL

Major Russian Rulers Ivan the Terrible First czar of Russia Michael Romanov First of Romanov Dynasty, which rules for 300 years Peter the Great One of Russia’s greatest reformers Tried to westernize Catherine the Great Enlightened Despot – Philosophe’s fave Expanded Empire Tried to reform laws Nicholas I Lost the Crimean War Married daughter of Prussia’s Wilhelm I Alexander II Sold Alaska to US Assassinated Alexander III Institutes autocratic rule, Russification, pogroms Nicholas II Last Czar of Russia

Political Issues - Alexander III Clung to autocracy “Dangerous” people –anyone who questioned his authority –wasn’t Russian Orthodox –or didn’t speak Russian Used harsh measures to wipe out “dangerous” people –Strict censorship –reports from all teachers – pogroms At best, would be exiled to Siberia

The Russian Revolution

The Romanovs From 1613 to 1917 –Romanov Dynasty in Russia Czar Nicholas II ruled Russia during World War I –He failed to solve Russia’s political, social and economic problems after the Revolution of 1905 Two revolutions would topple the Romanov Dynasty

Political Issues – Nicholas II autocratic & ineffective Ruler of 1/6 of earth’s total land surface Backed by an army of 1 million and secret police More interested in his family and hobbies than ruling Out of touch Had massive personal wealth

Richest King EVER Nicky’s wealth was valued at up to US$ 881 million in 1916, –Adjusted for inflation, equals more than US$300 billion in today's money. Wealthiest monarch and head of state in history –Usually ranked somewhere between #1-5 richest person ever –#12 Bill Gates –$136 Billion –#24 Sam Walton –$65 Billion

Faberge Eggs

Tsar Nicholas II Alexandra Olga Tatiana Marie Anastasia Alexei The Romanovs

Czar Nicholas II and his Family

The Romanov children Tsarevich Alexei

Hemophilia Caused by a single, recessive allele. This allele codes for a blood-clotting protein. If the protein is defective, then the blood does not clot properly. Untreated, victims often die in childhood or teen years, rarely live to adulthood. Caused by a single, recessive allele. This allele codes for a blood-clotting protein. If the protein is defective, then the blood does not clot properly. Untreated, victims often die in childhood or teen years, rarely live to adulthood.

Grigory Rasputin

Poet. Magician. Healer. Prophet. Holy Monk. Peasant from Siberia At 18, joined monastery to turn life around Mystic & healer Trusted advisor to Romanovs Favorite of Czarina Alexandra Hated by the public