The Russian Revolution Part 1: Russia before the revolution
19th century Russia (1800s) Vast Empire Stretched to California! 12 time zones! Believed the ideas of the French Revolution were bad Very conservative! Western Europe saw Russia as backwards, barbaric, and a cultural wasteland. Military giant Lots of men Defeated Napoleon
Tsar (Czar or Tzar) Word was law! Absolute power Hereditary Autocracy No checks or balances against Tsar’s power. People had NO power. Hereditary Autocracy Family rule (like monarchy) Based on religion “God’s representative on earth.” Women could inherit.
Nicholas I (1825-1855) Worried about small things Ex. Buttons on uniforms Had older brother but neither wanted to be Tsar.
The Decembrist Revolt (1825) Liberal Nobles Wanted a Constitutional Monarchy. Took advantage of confusion between Nicholas and Constantine. Idolized the ideas of the French Revolution.
The Decembrist Revolt Cont. 3,000 members in “secret society.” Go to Tsar’s palace to complain. Nicholas wanted to talk. The person he sent to talk was killed. Nicholas brings in artillery Kills 60-70 of the Decembrist. Hangs and arrests the remaining Decembrists.
The Decembrists: A very early cause to the Russian Revolution The Decembrists failed b/c no public support. Decembrists scare Nicholas He sits in on questioning of rebels to figure out what is wrong. Decides that bad actions were derived from bad ideas (The French Revolution) Censors EVERYTHING (bad move). Looked for codes in music, books, etc. Ridiculously large secret police. Decades of political repression. Continued to stall industrialization and progress.
Alexander II (r. 1855-1881) Ended serfdom (slavery of Russians) in 1861. Helped industrialization Way behind.
Nicholas II Russo-Japanese War Japan crushes Russia Rapid industrialization intensifies the bad working and living conditions. Workers look for reform. The last Tsar
Bloody Sunday 1905 Russian Revolution begins! Demonstrators asking for improved working conditions Mowed down by Royal Army.
October Manifesto Nicholas II caves Promises a constitution in the October Manifesto. Promises a parliament called the Duma. Sort of stops revolution Tsar still all powerful. Stolypin Brought in to reform agricultural system. Wanted Peasants to own land.