Russia:Reform and Revolution1815 to 1910

I.) Background of TimesA. Russia in mid-1800’s = large amount of land, natural

resources, and population and had ideas of expansion!B. Problems:

1. lacked industry2. landlocked (no port on Mediterranean Sea)3. wide range of ethnic peoples

- Belorussians (west)- Ukranians (south)- Great Russians (north/central)

C. Politics:1. Czar (name given to Russian leader)2. Autocratic Ruler (holds absolute power)

- Alexander I (1801-1825)- Nicholas I (1825-1855)

D. Domestic Policy:1. Censor speech/press2. Russification: program for non-Russians to adopt language, religion, & customs

E. Foreign Policy:1. Pan-Slavism= unite all Slavic people2. Expand into Asia & toward Ottoman

Empire (aide the Balkan People)

II.) Reforms under Czar Alexander IIA. In 1855 Alexander II becomes czar of RussiaB. Liberal Reforms:

1. Emancipation Edict: 1861 all serfs living in Russia are free

Result: cheap source of labor for factories

2. 1864: Creates new local government Result: Zemstvos= councils at provincial &

county levels

3. Other reforms:- Reformed the courts, - limited powers of secret police - gave press greater freedom - reorganized military

C. Radical groups1. Nihilists= 1860’s group of middle class & intellectuals revolutionaries

2. Populists= 1870’s group of revolutionaries

3. People’s Will= radical group who carried out terrorism

Outcome: - Attempt to assassinate govt. official and czar - killed by terrorist bomb in 1881

III.) The Czars of RussiaA. In 1881 Alexander III becomes CzarB. Halts all reforms in Russia: (180* turn)

- strict censorship- secret police- oppressed nationalist groups- Pogroms (violence against Jews & Muslims)

- one language and one church

C. In 1894 Nicholas II becomes Czar- Autocratic Rule- Higher taxes & foreign investments

Result: rapid industrializationExample: Trans-Siberian Railway=

worlds largest continuing railroad (1891-1904)

IV.) Unrest Leads to Revolution

A. Growth of industry creates larger gap between the rich & poor

Outcome: - Russian Marxists lead by Karl Marx believe industrial workers can overthrow the czar:• Mensheviks (political overthrow)• Bolsheviks (violent overthrow; lead by Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin)

B. Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)1. Japan vs. Russia for control of Manchuria & Korea

Outcome: -Russia defeated -govt. seen as weak & corrupt

C. Bloody Sunday (Jan. 22, 1905)1. 200,000 protestors march w/

petition of rights for workers for Czar Nicholas II to sign

2. Military fires upon crowd killing between 500-1,000

3. Provokes waves of strikes & violence around the country……… “Revolution of 1905”

Results:- the Duma created (Russia’s first parliament)- Czar is NOT overthrown……………….......…

YET!