Characteristics of the Russian Empire in 19 th Century

Geography of Europe

Overview of Russia

Tsar Alexander I December 23, 1777 – December 1, 1825  Alexander succeeded to the throne after his father was murdered and ruled Russia during the chaotic period of the Napoleonic Wars.  While a reformist, he also won several military campaigns. Under his rule, Russia acquired Finland and part of Poland.  The strange contradictions of his character make Alexander one of the most interesting Tsars.  Adding to this, his death was shrouded in mystery, and location of his body remains unknown.

Alexander II of Russia: The great Reformer ( ) Alexander II ( ) was emperor of Russia from 1855 to He is called the "czar liberator" because he emancipated the serfs in His reign is famous in Russian history as the "era of great reforms."

Great Reforms Abolition of Serfdom 1861 Military Reform Education Reform Church Reform

Russia in the 1860’s Great reforms: Railway Growth of industry Commercial ties with the Orient

Modern transportation: cholera epidemic Unfortunately the great strides in modern transportation accelerated the spread of cholera from India in 1816 to the ports of the Philippines, China, Japan, Persian Gulf then north toward the Ottoman and Russian empires killing thousands by 1826.

 Alexander was born on Feb. 26, His father was Alexander II  Alexander issued an imperial manifesto on April 29, 1881, which ended the constitutional reforms of his father and proclaimed the absolute power of the emperor. Alexander III (1881 – 1894)

Political Cartoon

 The law empowered the government to declare a state of emergency in any part of the Russian realm; administrative officials were given executive powers such as:  Authority to make arrests  Imposition of fines  Confiscation of property without trial  Transfer of cases from criminal court jurisdiction to that of military tribunals (more severe)  The closing of schools  The suspension of periodicals  Removal of local officials. Alexander III (1881 – 1894) police-vs-protestor

Russia in the 19 th Century Russian literature of the nineteenth century provided an agreeable medium for the discussion of political and social issues. Direct presentations of these discussions were censured. The prose writers of this period shared important qualities: attention to realistic, detailed descriptions of everyday Russian life; the lifting of the taboo on describing the vulgar, unsightly side of life; and a satirical attitude toward mediocrity and routine. Russia The Nineteenth Century Sources: The Library of Congress Country Studies; CIA World Factbook

Russia in the 19 th Century The Age of Realism, generally considered the culmination of the literary synthesis of earlier generations, began around The most significant prose writers of the Age of Realism were Ivan Turgenev, Fedor Dostoevsky, and Leo Tolstoy. Because of the enduring quality of their combination of pure literature with eternal philosophical questions, the last two are accepted as Russia's premier prose artists Russia The Nineteenth Century Sources: The Library of Congress Country Studies; CIA World Factbook

Revolutionary Thinking & “ISMS” Nihilism Socialism Utopian Socialism Imperialism Slavophilism Anarchism Marxism Historical Materialism Socialism Leninism Marxism-Leninism Democratic Centralism

Russia in the 19 th Century

Virgin and Child, Saint Nicholas, Archangel Michael Unidentified artist, Russian, second half 19th century,

Russia in the 19 th Century 19th Century Russian Icon St Nicholas Center Collection St. Nicholas ~ Wonderworker In you proved yourself to be a priest, a servant of divine things, O Saint, for you fulfilled the Gospel of Christ, O holy one. You gave up your life for your people and saved the innocent from death. You have been sanctified for you were a great guide towards the things of God. —Kontakion of St. Nicholas

Russia in the 19 th Century

Main buildings of the university in the Mokhovaya Street, The first medical faculty was established in 1775 at the University of Moscow.

Global 19 th Century London, England

Global 19 th Century Boott Cotton Mills, Lowell, Mass., mid-19th century. New York City Skyscraper American Civil War

Global 19 th Century Venice, Italy The smokestacks of a 19th Century French factory

Bibliography The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. History of Modern Russia Since 1855 History Sul Ross State University - Rio Grande College, Uvalde, Texas - Spring 2006 Russia The Nineteenth Century u~1297.html Sources: The Library of Congress Country Studies; CIA World Factbook