Liberal Reform vs.Conservative Reaction in Russia

Conditions in Russia Largest most populous nation in Europe  Great natural resources  Strict social structure: feudalism  Nobles (Boyars)  Peasants  Rich landowners rejected change  Government – Absolute Monarchy (Czars)

Russian Society Ruling class (Tsar, court, government) 0.5% Upper class (nobility, higher clergy, military officers) 12% Commercial class (merchants, factory owners, financiers) 1.5% Working class (factory workers and small traders)4% Peasants82%

Alexander I Introduced some liberal reforms (less censorship, promoted education) Fear of nobles and Napoleon’s invasion led him to become more conservative Promoted alliances with other European Powers

Nicholas I “Orthodoxy, Autocracy and Nationalism” Reacted against challenges to his authority Used police spies to bully his enemies Banned books Sent his critics to insane asylums or work camps in Siberia

Alexander II Loss in the Crimean War led Alexander to make changes in Russia Emancipation of the serfs Set up local governments with elections - ZEMSTVO Eased censorship and allowed civil rights 1881 – Assassinated by the People’s Will group

Alexander III Bitter over father’s death – restricted rights and liberal ideas Policy of Russification – mandatory to speak Russia and Russian Orthodox was the only religion. Supported pogroms - Jews were persecuted and killed, many moved to America

Nicholas II Russian became industrialized Socialists called for more workers rights Liberals called for a constitution Sunday January 22 nd, 1905 Father Gapon led a peaceful protest to the Czar’s palace Czar’s guards fired on the protesters and killed hundreds – Bloody Sunday After a nationwide strike and protest, Nicholas allowed some democratic reforms in the October Manifesto.