Road to Revolution

Russian Society Tsar: King of Russia Nobility: wealthy landowners Proletariat: working class Serfs: Peasants (slaves)

Serfs Freed 1861: Tsar Alexander II frees the serfs, but they remain very poor This was a great, moral thing to do to free the serfs, but it severely hurt Russia’s economy

Russia Declines Russia’s economy and military power declined Tsar Nicholas II did not want to appear weak, so he kept on sending food and aid to starving nations while his own people starved Went to war vs. Japan and was crushed

1905 Revolution Russians all over protest: sailors refuse to set sail, workers go on strike, etc. Bloody Sunday: Soldiers open fire on 100,000 peasants peacefully protesting, killing 300

World War I Russia still wants to appear strong to the world, so they enter WWI early in support of Serbia By 1917, 1.7 million are killed and 5 million are wounded in war against Germany on Eastern Front Russians back home continue to starve

Duma Tsar creates an organization of elected officials to hear advice on what Russia should do to solve its problems