Russia: Prelude to Russia: Prelude to RevolutionRevolution

““Three Centuries to Build it up…Three Three Centuries to Build it up…Three Days for it to Vanish”Days for it to Vanish”

Thinking Skill: Gather and organize Thinking Skill: Gather and organize information and datainformation and data

Russia struggled to reformRussia struggled to reform

Background InfoBackground Info– Largest land mass in EuropeLargest land mass in Europe– Largest Population in Europe (Diverse)Largest Population in Europe (Diverse)– Undeveloped Economically and industriallyUndeveloped Economically and industrially

Most Russians lived as serfsMost Russians lived as serfs– Since the Middle Ages, Russia has relied on Since the Middle Ages, Russia has relied on

a serfdom system.a serfdom system. By 1820, many people believe that serfdom By 1820, many people believe that serfdom

must end.must end. Government= Autocracy-Czar has absolute ruleGovernment= Autocracy-Czar has absolute rule

The Decembrists RevoltThe Decembrists Revolt

After Alexander’s death revolts start After Alexander’s death revolts start in December 1825. (Hence the in December 1825. (Hence the name)name)– Officers who fought against Napoleon I Officers who fought against Napoleon I

saw models of other governments.saw models of other governments.– Nicholas I (brother of Alexander) puts Nicholas I (brother of Alexander) puts

down the revolt and rules Russia with an down the revolt and rules Russia with an iron hand for 30 years.iron hand for 30 years.

Nicholas INicholas I

““Revolution stands on the Revolution stands on the threshold of Russia, but I swear threshold of Russia, but I swear it will never enter Russia while it will never enter Russia while my breath lasts.”my breath lasts.”– Agreed serfdom was wrong but Agreed serfdom was wrong but

wanted the support of landowners wanted the support of landowners to stop peasant uprisings.to stop peasant uprisings.

– Wanted to stop political uprisings:Wanted to stop political uprisings:– Awful foreign policyAwful foreign policy

Alexander II freed the serfsAlexander II freed the serfs

Son of Nicholas I: Alexander II Son of Nicholas I: Alexander II takes overtakes over– Agreed to reforms:Agreed to reforms:

11stst reform was to free the serfs: reform was to free the serfs: 22ndnd reform: New Judicial System reform: New Judicial System 33rdrd reform: Elected local reform: Elected local

governments focused on governments focused on education, public health, education, public health, assistance to poor and road assistance to poor and road maintenance.maintenance.

44thth reform: Reorganized army reform: Reorganized army and navy and navy

Reforms are not EnoughReforms are not Enough

Peasants still pay poll taxes, face Peasants still pay poll taxes, face death penalty, have no money!death penalty, have no money!

Leads to more riots…Leads to more riots… First attempt on life- 1866First attempt on life- 1866 Czar Alexander II is killed by students Czar Alexander II is killed by students

known as “The People’s Will” 1881known as “The People’s Will” 1881

Alexander IIIAlexander III

Much like Nicholas IMuch like Nicholas I ReactionaryReactionary Ruled harshly and strongly put down Ruled harshly and strongly put down

any riots with brutal secret police any riots with brutal secret police unit!unit!

PogromsPogroms

Problems in Russia: Problems in Russia: 1900-19171900-1917

The Explosion Nears!The Explosion Nears!

1900: New Problems1900: New Problems

New Czar: Nicholas New Czar: Nicholas IIII

Makes same Makes same mistakes that mistakes that predecessors had predecessors had mademade

““I shall maintain I shall maintain the principle of the principle of autocracy”autocracy”

Problem 1- Poor LeadershipProblem 1- Poor Leadership

Nicholas II does not rule strongly for Nicholas II does not rule strongly for peoplepeople

His wife, Alexandra is of German His wife, Alexandra is of German descent. (People resent her)descent. (People resent her)

Advisor Rasputin wields enormous Advisor Rasputin wields enormous powerpower

RasputinRasputin

Siberian PeasantSiberian Peasant Holds great power in Holds great power in

court…nearly all of it court…nearly all of it used poorlyused poorly

Obtains powerful Obtains powerful positions for friends, positions for friends, even if unqualified!even if unqualified!

Urged Czarina to Urged Czarina to ignore demands for ignore demands for reform.reform.

Reading…Reading…

Problem 2- Poor Foreign Problem 2- Poor Foreign PolicyPolicy

Imperial ConflictImperial Conflict Russia vs. Japan for control of Korea Russia vs. Japan for control of Korea

and Manchuriaand Manchuria Russia is soundly defeated (Lack Russia is soundly defeated (Lack

Technological Advancements)Technological Advancements)

Problem # 3: Revolution of Problem # 3: Revolution of 19051905

200,000 workers petition Winter 200,000 workers petition Winter Palace Palace

They are unarmedThey are unarmed Workers Want:Workers Want:

– Better Working ConditionsBetter Working Conditions– More Personal FreedomMore Personal Freedom– Elected CongressElected Congress

ResultResult

Army Fires on CrowdArmy Fires on Crowd 500-1000 die 500-1000 die Known as Bloody SundayKnown as Bloody Sunday

– Provokes StrikesProvokes Strikes– October Manifesto promised a Russian October Manifesto promised a Russian

Constitution Constitution – Czar Creates the Duma (Parliament)Czar Creates the Duma (Parliament)

Problem # 4: WWIProblem # 4: WWI

Russia goes to war over the Balkans Russia goes to war over the Balkans (Serbia)(Serbia)

The results are disastrous!The results are disastrous! 4 Million Russians die in the first year 4 Million Russians die in the first year

alone!alone!

Problem # 5: HungerProblem # 5: Hunger

By Winter of 1916-1917 People are By Winter of 1916-1917 People are starvingstarving

Most volunteers in Army have died Most volunteers in Army have died by this pointby this point

Army filled with angry drafted menArmy filled with angry drafted men

Quick ReviewQuick Review

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