19 th Century Russia Revolution to Reform to Revolution (again)

19 th Century Czar overview The last of the Romanov Dynasty-- Alexander I (Decembrists) Nicholas I Alexander II (reformer= kaboom! ) Alexander III Nicholas II – (last one)

Alexander I Czar defeated Napoleon I Congress of Vienna Holy Alliance Liberal to Conservative agenda Dies suddenly in 1825 Brother Constantine refuses throne- hesitation leads to Decembrist- youngest brother Nicholas takes throne

Nicholas I Conservative Secret Police Little reform agrarian economy Territory expansion in Balkan – Black Sea area Begins Crimean War dies 1855

Consequences of Crimean War New warfare technologies-RR, shell-firing cannon, breech loading rifle, steam powered ships Telegraph effects news coverage of front lines-created negative public opinion ***severed alliance of Austria & Russia ****ended Russia territory gain in Black Sea region

Alexander II “Great Reforms” Defeated in Crimean-forces path of reform Military reform- end serf conscription farm to industry Emancipation of serfs Better farming techniques Reduce power of nobility

Emancipation of Serfs million serfs freed Mir- community of former serfs, male leader Allocation of land – not free -paid to government through long term loans Huge debt burden to freed serf Yet freedom means more rights– somewhat!!

Local administration Reform Zemstovs--regional councils where aristocrats directed local matters ex. education, public health, welfare Conservative but relaxation of censorship and travel for nobility Exposed to European ideas use new ways to solve problems

Military Reform government ends 25 year conscription- now 6 years Promote education Increased military efficiency Humane treatment of recruits Fitness of Russian soldiers improves— close to level of other European counterparts

Judicial Reform All Russians access to modern courts Remove serf from landowner or secret justice Principle of equal justice before the law introduced– but not always followed

Reforms bring resistance Nobility sees power diminished Nihilist- youthful nobles reject aristocratic leisure- turn to peasant & worker lifestyle Russification against ethnic groups- language education repression to reduce threat of rebellion Throughout Reforms- Czar and inner circle allow few other to share in power

Russia + Imperialism East through Asia Siberia- Vladivostok Trans-Siberian Railroad Port Arthur on Pacific-1898 leased from China Turkistan Parts of Afghanistan

Unrest in Russia-Secret societies Reform runs course Youth turn to revolutionary ideas to stimulate additional social and political reform-Secret police increase Populists- incite indebted peasants to revolt Land and Liberty-then People’s Will – assassinate Alexander II in 1881

Alexander III- Conservative- rejects all liberal reform New wave of oppression- Opriniche- secret police unchecked power to spy Intensifed Russification program Oppression of Russian Jews Pogroms- Pale of Settlement- scapegoats Dies in 1894

Nicholas II– last Czar Weak ruler Inherits 18 th century country entering the 20 th century Still agrarian– little industry Serge Witte- chief minister- increases industrialization pushes for reform- practical man- retires 1908 Peter Stolypin- continues Witte policies- assassinated in 1913

Family Alexandra- wife, German, Victoria’s granddaughter nickname- Sunny Olga Tatiana Marie Anastasia Alexis- hemophilia- Rasputin,( Mad Monk)

Political Issues Russo- Japanese War Humiliating defeat for Russia- but TR got the Nobel Peace Prize for the peace treaty Duma- elected congress- little power- SD’s, Bolsheviks, Mensheviks, Const. D’s Kerensky and Kornilov 1905 Revolution- Bloody Sunday 300 y anniversary- Romanov Rule 1913

Coming of WWI Triple Alliance – FRE/E Assassination of Francis Ferdinand – heir to A-H throne Princip- member of Black Hand, Serbian revolutionary group

Leaders of the Bolsheviks Lenin- Land, Bread, Peace Trotsky Bukanin Stalin