Precursor to the Revolution Russia during the 1800s Precursor to the Revolution

Russia before Reform French revolution makes Russia nervous Concern about international defense (Napoleon) Move toward isolation Paternalistic Serfs>Masters Bureaucratic Holy Alliance Monarchs of Prussia, Russia, Austria defend religion and established order Intellectualism Some fascinated with western ideas Advocate for political freedom, education, scientific advances Romantic art (Tchaikovsky) Government response to ideas Censorship of liberal/radical values Repression of political opponents and secret police after Decembrist uprising (1825) Western-oriented army officers rise up against conservative government Repression likely prevented revolutions Territorial expansion Partition of Poland Expansion into Ottoman lands (against France and Britain, Crimean War) Support of nationalist movements in Balkans and Greece (against Ottomans)

Problem of Peasants Russia at standstill as the west industrializes Landlords and aristocracy see no need to modernize/industrialize Keep status, oppress serfs Import grain and resources from the west Some aristocrats import western industry for status only, little impact on economy Remain peasant-soldiers/landlord-patrons

Crimean War (1854-56) Russia wants to expand into Crimea Protector of Christian interest in Holy Land Britain nervous about possibility of Russian invasion of India, France sees itself as champion of Christianity British strength pushes Russian forces back Industrial advantage with ships and weapons Convinces Alexander II that reform is essential Russia must keep up with military technology Must eliminate serfdom and industrialize

Reform Russia realizes serfdom is holding them back in 1861 Emancipation of serfs more “fair” than freedom of slaves in America (1865) Serfs get most land, but must pay for land (get loans from aristocrats) Tsar Alexander II does not want to alienate aristocrats Ardent supporters and bureaucrats Serfs have no political rights, still tied to villages Freedom of serfs create free, mobile labor force Lead to more political uprisings Zemstvoes: Local political councils Regulate schools, roads, regional policy (bureaucracy) Essential now that aristocrats no longer have control Maintenance of tsar’s absolute authority Improvement of army Promotion based on merit Recruitment of peasants and training Education Improved literacy rates Women get higher education Medicine, professions Industrialization State-sponsored industry Trans-Siberian Railroad Iron and coal Growth of urban working class 4th: steel production, 2nd: petroleum Maintains absence of middle class

Causes of Revolution Minority nationalities began agitating for independence Social protest Famines, taxes Intelligentsia: radical intellectuals that sought political voice, new rights, and freedoms Supported by student groups Aspire for reform and freedom while maintaining Russian culture Anarchists, Marxism Terrorism leads to crackdown and repression by tsar Censorship, gulags, persecution of minorities and religions Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov and Russian socialism Bolsheviks Labor unions, strikes

Revolution of 1905 Russia focuses on unprecedented expansion China, Persia, Afghanistan, Manchuria Risk of overextension, no real military power Japan feels threatened by Russia in Manchuria Russo-Japanese War, Japan wins Japan moves into Korea Massive protest begins due to Russian defeat Urban working strikes, insurrections Leads to police repression Liberals seek representation by creating the Duma (parliament) Stolypin Reforms gives peasants freedom from redemption payments, buy land, move freely Leads to rise of kulak landlord class Duma falls apart under Nicholas II, rise of police repression