1. Russia: Reform and Reaction
1815 – Russia: largest, most populous nation in Europe
Great world power = COLOSSUS (giant)
Immense natural resources
Remained economically underdeveloped
Needed reforms to modernize – but resisted
Russia: Reform and Reaction
Nationalism PPT #5

2. Landowning nobles dominate society
Most Russians were serfs = inefficient, economy remains backward

3. Tsars ruled with absolute power
Made very few legal, social and economic reforms

4. Alexander II came to throne in 1855 during Crimean War
Crimean War failure = Lives and money wasted = people very unhappy
Alexander II must make some social changes – in 1861 he made the decision to end serfdom.

5. Alexander II issued a royal decree requiring EMANCIPATION = freeing of the serfs
Now – serfs had to buy the land–too poor to do so
Peasants remained poor & unhappy
Many peasants moved to cities = jobs in factories

6. Peasants found long hours, low pay & dangerous conditions in factories
Slums = poverty, disease, discontent

7. Radicals preached revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx
Radicals wanted more changes
Some turned to terrorism – March 13, 1881 terrorists assassinated Alexander II

8. Alexander III cracked down on revolutionaries
Increased power of secret police
Restored censorship
Exiled critics to Siberia
Suppressed non-Russian peoples -= Russification
Language = only Russian
One church = Russian Orthodox

9. Had to live in restricted areas – many rights taken away
POGROMS = Official persecution of Jewish people
Had to live in restricted areas – many rights taken away
Gangs beat up & killed Jewish people – looted & burned their homes
Many Jews left Russia = REFUGEES – people who flee their homeland
Many went to United States

10. Troops started shooting peaceful protestors
Sunday, January 22, 1905 = Bloody Sunday
Supposed to be peaceful march – people sang hymns, carried holy icons, pictures of Tsar
Tsar fled palace
Troops started shooting peaceful protestors
Turning point = killed people’s faith & trust in Tsar

11. The Revolution of 1905 Discontent exploded – Riots, strikes, terrorism
(15 points)
The Revolution of 1905
Discontent exploded – Riots, strikes, terrorism
Nicholas forced to make reforms

12. The Revolution of 1905
October Manifesto = promised “freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly & union.”
Tsar agreed to summon DUMA = elected national legislature - all laws must be approved by Duma.

13. Results of the Revolution
1906 – first Duma met – tsar dissolved it when leaders criticized the government
New Prime Minister appointed – Peter Stolypin

14. By 1914 – Russia still autocracy – but simmering with unrest
He introduced some land and economic reforms
Improved education
Dissatisfaction still simmered
Stolypin assassinated in 1911
By 1914 – Russia still autocracy – but simmering with unrest