1. 14.2- Russian Reform

2. 19th Century Russia
Russia in the 1800’s was the largest, most populous nation in the world.
Russia had grown over the years and included a partially European, partially Asian population

3. Obstacles to Progress
Russia was relatively untouched by the Enlightenment and various revolutions happening in other parts of the world.
Russia was economically underdeveloped. Czars resisted industrialization, fearing it would weaken their absolute power.
There was an outdated social system based on serfdom. Landowning nobles owned serfs who were bound to the land and subject to the master’s will.
Enlightened Russians knew that serfdom was inefficient, but the nobles had no reason to improve agriculture

4. Absolute Power
For centuries, tsars had ruled in Russia with absolute power
Some tsars attempted to make reforms but they all drew back when it looked like they would lose their power
The tsarist motto was the “three pillars of absolutism”:
Orthodoxy- connection between the Orthodox church and the government
Autocracy- absolute government
Nationality- respecting Russian traditions and suppressing non-Russian groups

5. Czar Alexander II ( )
Alexander II came to power during the Crimean War
The Crimean War took place when Russia tried to seize Ottoman lands, and they were defeated crushingly by forces from Britain, France, and Sardinia.
The war highlighted how backwards Russia was in comparison to the rest of Europe- they had only a few miles of railroad, little industry to create weaponry, and their military bureaucracy was incredibly outdated.
Russia’s defeat sparked calls for reform and revolts, and Czar Alexander II was pressured into change

6. Zemstvos- elected assemblies
Reforms
Emancipation of the serfs- issued a declaration freeing all serfs from their ties to nobles and the land
Problem: The serfs were poor and couldn’t afford to buy enough land from their previous masters. Many left for the cities.
System of local governments- zemstvos were made responsible local issues such as road repair, schools and agriculture.
Trial by jury, reduced censorship, reformed military service, and encouraged the growth of industry
Zemstvos- elected assemblies

7. Dissent Continues
Alexander II’s reforms failed to appease the people. They wanted a constitution and an elected legislature.
Radical groups developed and pushed for more reforms, but the czar moved away from reform and towards repression
One group, People’s Will, plotted to kill Czar Alexander II. They succeeded in March by bombing his carriage.

8. Czar Alexander III ( )
Infuriated by his father’s assassination, Alexander III ruthlessly cracked down on dissent- strict censorship, increased secret police activity and increased exiles of critics to Siberia
Also launched a program of Russification aimed at suppressing other cultures in the empire
Russian is declared the official language
Russian Orthodox Church is declared the official church
All others were savagely persecuted

9. Pogroms- violent mob attacks on Jewish people
While Russification allowed for the persecution of many different religious and cultural groups, the Jews became a large target
Jews were forced to live in restricted areas, and the tsar limited how many could attend university and join certain professions
Violent persecution of the Jews was encouraged- pogroms were common, with Jews beaten or killed and their homes looted and burned
Thousands of Jews fled Russia and became refugees- someone who flees their homeland to seek safety elsewhere
Pogroms- violent mob attacks on Jewish people

10. Industrial Developments
Even though his social policies were basically the worst, Alexander III did help modernize Russia and create new industry
The government encouraged the building of railroads to connect mines with factories and accelerate the transport of goods
With loans from France, the Russians built the Trans-Siberian Railway from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean

11. Problems with Industrialization
Industrialization in Russia brought with it the same problems it did in Europe- low wages, long hours, safety concerns, and poor living conditions
Socialist radicals often handed out pamphlets full of Karl Marx’s ideologies, which gained support among industrial workers

12. Czar Nicholas II
Nicholas II came to the throne with discontent throughout the nation, but he was determined to continue autocratic rule
A young Orthodox priest named Father Gapon organized a peaceful march to the tsar’s palace to explain to him the sufferings of the Russians
Despite the peaceful demonstration, the tsar fled the palace and left soldiers to guard it. When the marchers arrived before the palace the soldiers opened fire, killing and wounding hundreds.
This slaughter is known as Bloody Sunday, and killed the Russian’s faith and trust in the tsar

13. The Future of Russia Discontent continues to grow
By the start of WWI in 1914 Russia is headed for a revolution
Czar Nicholas II will be the last Czar of Russia
A new government will be instituted after a Russian Civil War