World History/Cultures Chapter 15- Reaction &

Nationalism Section 4 Empire of the Czars

A. Background 1. Population a. 60 nationalities b. 2/3 Slavs c. 100 languages 2. Geography a. Two times the size of the USA. b. Land is primarily plains. 3. Economy a. Agricultural economy based on

serfdom. b. Little industry due to serf

based agriculture.

B. Alexander I (1801-1825) 1. Little reform 2. Granted a constitution to

Russian ruled Poland. C. Decembrist Revolt - 1825 1. Russian officers wanted to

institute a constitutional government, reform

economy, and free serfs. 2. Revolt was crushed but

inspired future revolutions.

D. Nicholas I 1. Imposed greater oppression. 2. Demand for reform persisted. E. Alexander II "Czar Liberator" 1. Freed serfs to provide cheap

labor for industry. 2. Established "Zemtvos" (elected

assemblies) a. ran provinces b. Controlled by wealthy

noblemen.

3. Other reforms a. eased restrictions on

newspapers b. limited authority of secret

police c. expanded education d. modernized judicial system e. reorganized the army4. Failed to stop growth of

revolutionary movements.5. Assassinated by revolutionaries in

1881.

F. Radical Movements 1. Anarchy - advocated the absence of

government. 2. Nihilist - wanted Czars autocracy

destroyed. ADD: Belief in no authority! 3. Populism - peasants would revolt,

overthrow czar, and establish socialist government.G. Alexander III 1. Reversed father's reforms. 2. Vowed to crush revolutionaries. 3. Promoted "Russification" (unite all

Russian people) a. Persecuted all non-Russians or

those against czar. b. Pogroms-massacre of Jews.

H. Nicholas II (1894-1917) Last Czar!!1. Autocratic rule2. Easily influenced by others (Rasputin)3. Revolutionary mood sweeps through Russia

a. “Bloody Sunday” - January 1905 Peaceful demonstration of workers

trying to present petition for reform to Czar.

Soldiers of Czar open fire killing many. To appease people Czar Nicholas II

creates a powerless “Duma” (legislature).

People not fooled- continue to demand reform.

b. “October Manifesto” issued 19051.Nicholas II forced to make reform or

will be forced to abdicate.2.Manifesto

a.Granted civil rights to people.b.Allowed Duma to make laws.

Nicolas II Last Czar of Russia

Rasputin: The Mad Monk/Party animal

Last of the Czars: Dynasty in Decline

Last of the Czars: Revolution