Nineteenth Century Russia

Alexander I ( ) reigned played a key role in re- establishing social order in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars

Alexander I in War and Peace He defeated the French at the Battle of Borodino near Moscow.

The French retreated from Russia battle described in Tolstoy’s War and Peace Russians followed-up their victory using a “scorched earth” policy -were aided by “General Winter”

Soldiers returning from the Napoleonic Wars were “infected” by Western ideas.

Exposure to the West caused two competing schools of thought to emerge: Slavophilism Westernism

Slavophilism inspired romantic nationalism -extolled the virtues of Russia -viewed the Eastern Orthodox Church as the source of Russia’s strength

Slavophilism (continued) critical of the “decadent” West -rejected Peter the Great’s reforms -opposed to constitutional form of government

Slavophilism (continued) held non-Orthodox Slavs in contempt -admired Russian “supremacy” -advocated Russification (force non-Russians to adopt Russian ways)

Westernism admired modern things and Peter the Great believed in scientific method and progress favored the education of Russians in the ideas of European universal culture

Westernism (continued) favored a constitutional form of government advocated freedom of thought, speech, and press opposed serfdom

Intelligentsia composed of educated people (students, writers, artists, etc.) held Western-oriented views were often socialists

Intelligentsia (continued) quickly became the leading opponents to the tsar wanted to modernize Russia’s economy and social order

Nicholas I ( ) came to power after suppressing the Decembrist revolt of staged by reform-minded army officers who favored his brother Constantine -ruled harshly as a result

Nicholas I (continued) domestic policy was autocratic restricted contacts with West and movement within Russia aka the “Gendarme of Europe” for his role in suppressing revolution in Hungary

They fought the combined forces of Great Britain, France, Ottoman Turkey, and Italy (Piedmont). Crimean War ( )

Nicholas I (continued) Russia rocked by loss of Crimean War -loss attributed to “backwardness”

Alexander II ( ) tsar of Russia emancipated the serfs in 1861

Emancipated serfs many became dependent on the government (had no land, money, etc.) many organized into mirs (local villages into commune-like units)

Alexander II was assassinated by a bomb thrown into his carriage.

Alexander III ( ) emperor of Russia ( ) ended the reforms implemented by his father, Alexander II -thought reforms of his father invited chaos

Alexander III (continued) restored much of the absolutism of the reign of Nicholas I -sternly repressed revolutionary agitation -tried to impose the Russian language on all of his subjects -persecuted the Jews -restricted education

Alexander III returned much of the control over the serfs back to the nobles and wealthy landlords.