Russia: Reform and Reaction Chapter 7 Section 5

I. Emancipation and Stirrings of Revolution Alexander II- Famous for freeing (emancipating) the serfs. Freedom brought problems: peasants were free, but too poor to survive on their own. Though Alex II brought more reforms, they did not satisfy Russians. Assassinated by “Land and Freedom” in 1881.

II. The Drive to Industrialize Russia began to industrialize under Alex III and his son Nicholas II. Railroads, iron and coal mines, factories sprung up around Russia. Industrialization also brought problems: some people opposed it, and working and living conditions were horrible.

III. Turning Point: Crisis and Revolution 1904: Russo-Japanese War War between Russia and Japan over control of Korea. First time a non-white nation defeated a white nation; Russia was humiliated. Caused discontent to spread.

A.) Bloody Sunday: 1/22/1905 Led by Father Gapon, 200,000 workers marched to the Winter Palace to petition for better working conditions. Czar Nicholas II has his armies stop the peaceful protest; 500 men, women, and children were massacred.

Bloody Sunday Jan. 22, 1905 Actual photos: Artist’s depiction

B.) 1905 Revolution Widespread revolt, violence, strikes, and riots. Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto: Agreed to give some freedom of speech, assembly, union. Agreed to establish the Duma, an elected legislature.

C.) Results of the Revolution As soon as the Duma criticized the czar, he dissolved it! Appointed Peter Stolypin as new Prime Minister. He tried to introduce some reforms, but was assassinated in 1911 by a conservative radical.

The Last Romanovs Nicholas Romanov married Alexandra (H) (H)= Hemophilia, a blood disease that prevents clotting. Appears only in males. Tatiana Anastasia Alexei (H) Olga Marie

The Last Romanovs