Russia: Prelude to Revolution “Three Centuries to Build it up…Three Days for it to Vanish” Thinking Skill: Gather and organize information and data

Russia struggled to reform Background Info Background Info –Largest land mass in Europe –Largest Population in Europe (Diverse) –Undeveloped Economically and industrially Most Russians lived as serfs Most Russians lived as serfs –Since the Middle Ages, Russia has relied on a serfdom system.  By 1820, many people believe that serfdom must end.  Government= Autocracy-Czar has absolute rule

The Decembrists Revolt After Alexander’s death revolts start in December (Hence the name) After Alexander’s death revolts start in December (Hence the name) –Officers who fought against Napoleon I saw models of other governments. –Nicholas I (brother of Alexander) puts down the revolt and rules Russia with an iron hand for 30 years.

Nicholas I “Revolution stands on the threshold of Russia, but I swear it will never enter Russia while my breath lasts.” “Revolution stands on the threshold of Russia, but I swear it will never enter Russia while my breath lasts.” –Agreed serfdom was wrong but wanted the support of landowners to stop peasant uprisings. –Wanted to stop political uprisings: –Awful foreign policy

Alexander II freed the serfs Son of Nicholas I: Alexander II takes over Son of Nicholas I: Alexander II takes over –Agreed to reforms:  1 st reform was to free the serfs:  2 nd reform: New Judicial System  3 rd reform: Elected local governments focused on education, public health, assistance to poor and road maintenance.  4 th reform: Reorganized army and navy

Reforms are not Enough Peasants still pay poll taxes, face death penalty, have no money! Peasants still pay poll taxes, face death penalty, have no money! Leads to more riots… Leads to more riots… First attempt on life First attempt on life Czar Alexander II is killed by students known as “The People’s Will” 1881 Czar Alexander II is killed by students known as “The People’s Will” 1881

Alexander III Much like Nicholas I Much like Nicholas I Reactionary Reactionary Ruled harshly and strongly put down any riots with brutal secret police unit! Ruled harshly and strongly put down any riots with brutal secret police unit! Pogroms Pogroms

Problems in Russia: The Explosion Nears!

1900: New Problems New Czar: Nicholas II New Czar: Nicholas II Makes same mistakes that predecessors had made Makes same mistakes that predecessors had made “I shall maintain the principle of autocracy” “I shall maintain the principle of autocracy”

Problem 1- Poor Leadership Problem 1- Poor Leadership Nicholas II does not rule strongly for people Nicholas II does not rule strongly for people His wife, Alexandra is of German descent. (People resent her) His wife, Alexandra is of German descent. (People resent her) Advisor Rasputin wields enormous power Advisor Rasputin wields enormous power

Rasputin Siberian Peasant Siberian Peasant Holds great power in court…nearly all of it used poorly Holds great power in court…nearly all of it used poorly Obtains powerful positions for friends, even if unqualified! Obtains powerful positions for friends, even if unqualified! Urged Czarina to ignore demands for reform. Urged Czarina to ignore demands for reform. Reading… Reading…

Problem 2- Poor Foreign Policy Imperial Conflict Imperial Conflict Russia vs. Japan for control of Korea and Manchuria Russia vs. Japan for control of Korea and Manchuria Russia is soundly defeated (Lack Technological Advancements) Russia is soundly defeated (Lack Technological Advancements)

Problem # 3: Revolution of ,000 workers petition Winter Palace 200,000 workers petition Winter Palace They are unarmed They are unarmed Workers Want: Workers Want: –Better Working Conditions –More Personal Freedom –Elected Congress

Result Army Fires on Crowd Army Fires on Crowd die die Known as Bloody Sunday Known as Bloody Sunday –Provokes Strikes –October Manifesto promised a Russian Constitution –Czar Creates the Duma (Parliament)

Problem # 4: WWI Russia goes to war over the Balkans (Serbia) Russia goes to war over the Balkans (Serbia) The results are disastrous! The results are disastrous! 4 Million Russians die in the first year alone! 4 Million Russians die in the first year alone!

Problem # 5: Hunger By Winter of People are starving By Winter of People are starving Most volunteers in Army have died by this point Most volunteers in Army have died by this point Army filled with angry drafted men Army filled with angry drafted men

Quick Review At the bottom of your note page create a list of all the major problems that acted as a long fuse for the explosion that was the Russian Revolution At the bottom of your note page create a list of all the major problems that acted as a long fuse for the explosion that was the Russian Revolution