Russia: Reform and Reaction Industrialization and reform came more slowly to Russia than to Western Europe.

Russia Their Emperor was called a Czar. Saw little economic growth during the Industrial Revolution. The Czar’s feared change might weaken their control. A rigid system of social classes blocked progress.

Russian Social Classes Wealthy Nobles- Owned all farmlands, they cared little about industry. Middle Class- was too small to have much power. Serfs- Most Russians were in this class, they worked for the land owners. As long as people served masters, Russia could not move forward.

Serfs Their masters had almost total power over them. The majority were peasants, others were servants, artisans, or forced into the army. When industry hit, they were forced into the factories, for almost no pay.

Alexander I Inherited the throne in 1801. He eased censorship and promoted education. When Napoleon invaded in 1812, Alexander had to draw back from reform. When Alexander died in 1825, a group of army officers led an uprising known as the Decembrist Revolt.

Decembrist Revolt Liberal ideas picked up while fighting Napoleon. They demanded a constitution and reforms. The new Czar Nicholas I, used police spies to hunt out critics. The revolt quickly died.

Nicholas I Banned books from Western Europe that might spread liberal ideas. Only approved texts were allowed in schools and universities. Many Russians with liberal or revolutionary ideas were judged to be insane and put into mental hospitals. 150,000 others were exiled to Siberia.

The pillars of Russian Absolutism Orthodoxy- Strong ties to the Russian Orthodox Church and the government. Autocracy- the absolute power of the state. Nationalism- involved respect for Russian traditions and suppression of Non-Russian groups within the empire.

Nicholas I He realized Russia needed to modernize. He issued a new law code and made some economic reforms. He tried to limit power over the Serfs. But he could see no way to change the system without angering Russian Nobles. Before he died he told his son “ I am handing you command of the country in a poor state.”

Alexander II Came to power in 1855. He lost the Crimean war and realized it Was because the country was backwards It only had a few miles of railroad tracks The military was hopelessly inefficient.

Alexander II reforms 1861 he agrees to free the Serfs. The Serfs remained poor because they could not afford to buy land, and if they could the land was too small to make a profit. Many fled to cities and started working in the factories to help build Russia’s industry.

Zemstvos Alexander’s new system of Government. They were made responsible for matters such as road repair, schools, and agriculture. Russians gained some experience of open discussion and self-government.

Legal Reforms He eased censorship and tried to reform the military. A soldier’s term of service was reduced from 25 to 15 years. Brutal discipline was limited. Alexander also encouraged the growth of industry in Russia.

Women’s Liberation Russian women who were denied university education in Russia. So in response hundreds of privileged young women left their homes and families to study in other lands. Many became supporters of the popular revolution.

The People’s Will A revolutionary group who assassinated government officials and planned to kill the Czar. Their first attempts failed. Then in March 1881 terrorists hurled two bombs at Alexander’s carriage. One killed several guards, the other killed Alexander II.

Alexander III Reacted harshly to his father’s assassination. He revived the policies of Nicholas I. He increased the power of the secret police. Restored strict censorship. Exiled any critics of the government to Siberia.

Alexander III Persecuted all Non-Russians. He insisted on one language (Russian). One Church (Russian Orthodox). He created Pogroms- Jews were beaten and killed in these attacks. Many Jews fled to other lands. Especially America.

Nicholas II Alexander III’s son. He entered Russia into the Industrial age. Factory Owners could be as unfair as the nobles had been.

Russia’s Industrialization Created social ills . Peasants flocked to the cities to work in factories. Slums grew and so did disease and hatred for the Czar. Radicals started preaching the ideas of Karl Marx to the peasants. Among the radicals was Vladimir Ulyanov who called himself Lenin, whose older brother had been executed for plotting to kill Alexander III.

Bloody Sunday January 25,1905 a priest led marchers to the palace of the Czar. They called for an end to poverty and a voice in the government. Soldiers opened fire and killed hundreds of the demonstrators. Nicholas II agreed to set up a DUMA- body of lawmakers However its power was limited.

The Russian Revolution of 1905 Causes: Low spirits after defeat in 1904 war with Japan. Poverty and bad working conditions. Corrupt Government Persecution of minority groups “Bloody Sunday” Killings.

Russian Revolution Results: The “October Manifesto”-Czar Nicholas announces reforms and new freedoms. Nicholas II sets up the Duma which must approve all laws. Nicholas II dissolves the first Duma when its leaders criticize the government. Pogroms continue. New voting laws limit powers of later Dumas.

Russia 1905 Russian workers took over local government. Peasants demanded land. Minority groups called for self rule.