Nationalism Threatens Old Empires Bellwork # 5

A Fading Power Since the Congress of Vienna, the Austrian emperor Francis I and Metternich, his foreign minister, upheld conservative goals against liberal forces. “Rule and change nothing,” the emperor told his son. Under Francis and Metternich, newspapers could not even use the word constitution. The government tried to limit industrial development, which would threaten traditional ways of life. Austria, however, could not hold back the changes that were engulfing Europe. By the 1840s factories were springing up, and the Hapsburgs were facing the familiar problems of industrial life the growth of cities, worker discontent, and the stirrings of socialism.

A Patchwork of People Equally disturbing to the old order were the urgent demands of nationalists. The Hapsburgs ignored nationalist demands as long as they could. “Peoples?” Francis I once exclaimed. “What does that mean? I know only subjects.” As you have read, when nationalist revolts broke out across the empire in 1848, the government crushed them.

Early Reforms Amid the turmoil, 18 year old Francis Joseph inherited the throne. He would rule until 1916, presiding over the empire during its fading days into World War I. Francis Joseph realized he needed to strengthen his empire at home and made some reforms after, Austria suffered its humiliation defeat by France and Sardinia in 1859.

Sec. 5 Alexander I – He eased censorship and promoted education. He even talked about freeing the serfs. Orthodoxy, autocracy, and nationalism- To bolster his regime, Nicholas I embraced the pillars of Russian absolutism symbolized in the motto: “Orthodoxy, autocracy, and nationalism.” Orthodoxy referred to the strong ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the government. Autocracy was the absolute power of the state. Nationalism involved respect for Russian traditions and suppression of non Russian groups within the empire.

Voc. Words Sec. 5 Zemstvos- were made responsible for matters such as road repair, schools, and agriculture. Pogroms- Official persecution encouraged violent mob attacks on Jews. This happened in Russia under Alexander III. The police did nothing to stop the violence. Faced with savage persecution, many Jews escaped from Russia. Refugees- People who flee their homeland to seek safety elsewhere. Large number of Jews went to United States. Though they often faced prejudice there, they were safe form pogroms and official persecution. Jewish Immigrants sent joyful news back to Russia. “There is no czar in America.”

Bloody Sunday After, Russia suffered one humiliating defeat after another to Japan. Liberals called for a constitution and reforms to overhaul and inefficient, corrupt government. On Sunday January 22, 1905 Father George Gabon, organized a march. He felt certain that the “Little Father,” as Russians called the czar, would help his people if only he understood their sufferings. They people marched toward Winter Palace. They caried holy icons and pictures of czar. They also, sang hymns and prayed.

Fearing the marchers, the czar had fled the palace and called in soldiers. As the people approached, they saw troops lined up across the square. Suddenly, a crack of gunfire rang out, followed by another and another. Men and women reeled and fell. Hundreds lay dead in the snow. One marcher cried out: “How dare they shoot at a religious procession, at the portraits of the czar?” A woman stumbling away from the scene of the massacre moaned: “The czar has deserted us! They shot away the orthodox faith.” Indeed, the slaughter marked a turning point for Russians. “Bloody Sunday” killed the people’s faith and trust in the czar.