Russia: Reform and Reaction 1815 – Russia: largest, most populous nation in Europe Great world power = COLOSSUS (giant) Immense natural resources Remained economically underdeveloped Needed reforms to modernize – but resisted Russia: Reform and Reaction Nationalism PPT #5

Landowning nobles dominate society Most Russians were serfs = inefficient, economy remains backward

Tsars ruled with absolute power Made very few legal, social and economic reforms

Alexander II came to throne in 1855 during Crimean War Crimean War failure = Lives and money wasted = people very unhappy Alexander II must make some social changes – in 1861 he made the decision to end serfdom.

Alexander II issued a royal decree requiring EMANCIPATION = freeing of the serfs Now – serfs had to buy the land–too poor to do so Peasants remained poor & unhappy Many peasants moved to cities = jobs in factories

Peasants found long hours, low pay & dangerous conditions in factories Slums = poverty, disease, discontent

Radicals preached revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx Radicals wanted more changes Some turned to terrorism – March 13, 1881 terrorists assassinated Alexander II

Alexander III cracked down on revolutionaries Increased power of secret police Restored censorship Exiled critics to Siberia Suppressed non-Russian peoples -= Russification Language = only Russian One church = Russian Orthodox

Had to live in restricted areas – many rights taken away POGROMS = Official persecution of Jewish people Had to live in restricted areas – many rights taken away Gangs beat up & killed Jewish people – looted & burned their homes Many Jews left Russia = REFUGEES – people who flee their homeland Many went to United States

Troops started shooting peaceful protestors Sunday, January 22, 1905 = Bloody Sunday Supposed to be peaceful march – people sang hymns, carried holy icons, pictures of Tsar Tsar fled palace Troops started shooting peaceful protestors Turning point = killed people’s faith & trust in Tsar

The Revolution of 1905 Discontent exploded – Riots, strikes, terrorism (15 points) The Revolution of 1905 Discontent exploded – Riots, strikes, terrorism Nicholas forced to make reforms

The Revolution of 1905 October Manifesto = promised “freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly & union.” Tsar agreed to summon DUMA = elected national legislature - all laws must be approved by Duma.

Results of the Revolution 1906 – first Duma met – tsar dissolved it when leaders criticized the government New Prime Minister appointed – Peter Stolypin

By 1914 – Russia still autocracy – but simmering with unrest He introduced some land and economic reforms Improved education Dissatisfaction still simmered Stolypin assassinated in 1911 By 1914 – Russia still autocracy – but simmering with unrest