Russia Setting the Stage: Russia 1815 Largest Most populous nation in Europe Huge multinational empire due to expansion in the 1600s Economically underdeveloped Social Structure: Landowning nobles dominated society Middle Class was small Majority of Russians were serfs-laborers bound to the land and to their masters  Most serfs were peasants  Some were servants, artisans, or soldiers forced into the tsar’s army Tsars ruled Russia with absolute power: some made liberal reforms, but often took them back in order to not lose support of nobles

Alexander II Took throne in 1855-during Crimean War Russia tried to seize Ottoman Lands along Danube River-Britain and France help the Ottoman Turks  Russia defeated Shows Russia’s backwardness  Very few railroad miles  Inefficient military

Emancipation of Serfs After the Crimean War-widespread reaction-reforms were s0ught by many 1861-isssued decree emancipating the serfs  Not easy transition  Former serfs now had to buy land they worked but most were too poor to do so  Lands allotted were too small to farm efficiently  Peasants remained poor and unhappy  Many moved to the cities  Emancipation=Turning Point and boosted drive for further reform

Alexander II Many unhappy with reforms Peasants: had freedom but no land Liberals: wanted constitution and elected legislature Radicals: Demanded more revolutionary changes March 13, 1981-terrorists assassinated Alexander II

Alexander II Set up zemstovs: elected assemblies-responsible for road repairs, schools, agriculture Self-government at the local level Eased Censorship Set up legal reforms: trial by jury Military terms reduced Brutal discipline-limited Still relied heavily on agriculture but encouraged growth of industry

Alexander III Upset with father’s assassination Turns to harsh methods: increased power of secret police, restored strict censorship, exiled critics to Siberia. Persecuted Jews: limited amount of Jews who were allowed to study in universities and practice certain professions, forced them to live in certain areas. Pogroms: violent mob attacks were launched against Jews-many fled Russia and became refugees Launched Russification: program aimed at suppressing cultures of non-Russian peoples within the empire  One language: Russia  One Church: Russian Orthodox Church

Alexander III and Nicholas II Focused on economic development: building of railroads. Set up Trans-Siberian Railroad: connected European Russia to Pacific Ocean Tensions rose: govt. officials and business leaders thrilled with economic growth, but nobles and peasants opposed it. Those who worked in the factories had poor/dangerous conditions and lived in slums surrounding factories.

Bloody Sunday Russo-Japanese War: Russia suffers crushing defeat. Discontent with war and oppression-workers went on strike-demanded shorter hours and better wages Liberals called for a constitution and reforms to overhaul the government. January 22, “Bloody Sunday”-Marchers stormed Tsar’s Winter Palace  Brought a petition for justice and reform Tsar in fear fled and called in soldiers 100’s of men and women killed People lost faith and trust in Tsar

Revolution of 1905 In months after Bloody Sunday Discontent exploded Strikes multiplied Some cities: workers took over local govt. Peasants revolted and demanded land Minority nationalities called for autonomy Terrorists targeted officials Collectively, this forced Nicholas to announce sweeping reforms October Manifesto: promised “freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly, and union.” Agreed to summon a Duma: elected national legislature  no law would go into effect without Duma approval

Results of Revolution 1906-first Duma met-quickly dissolved when it challenged the government New Prime Minister appointed: Peter Stolypin Under his direction: arrests, pogroms, and executions put in place to restore order Soon noticed Russia needed reform and not repression Introduced moderate land reforms Strengthened zemstovs and improved education Small gains but not enough: assassinated in 1911 More Dumas met but voting laws limited their power By 1914: Russia was still an autocracy! Russia’s boiling point was rapidly approaching.