1 Russia: An overview of the fall of autocracy and the rise of Communism Amazing colour photos of Russia Remoteness of Russia video of old transiberian rail bridge History of Russia documentary Tsar Liberator onwards

2 Overview: the country 1/6th world’s land1/6th world’s land 200+ different nationalities.200+ different nationalities. Economically undeveloped = mainly agrarian (Farming).Economically undeveloped = mainly agrarian (Farming). 80%+ poor, illiterate, isolated peasant80%+ poor, illiterate, isolated peasant Peasant = subsistence farmerPeasant = subsistence farmer Dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church.Dominated by the Russian Orthodox Church. Ruler =Tsar:Ruler =Tsar: hereditary autocrathereditary autocrat

3 Tsarist Autocracy hereditaryhereditary Divine right = chosen by God not peopleDivine right = chosen by God not people Backed the nobility;Backed the nobility; The Church The Civil Service The police & armed forces. Absolute autocracy =Absolute autocracy = no parliament (or anything else) to stop himno parliament (or anything else) to stop him

4 Tsarist ideology In 1830s Count Sergei Uvarov had established the formula for autocratic government. Orthodoxy Authority Nationality Orthodoxy Authority Nationality Accepted belief Power and influence Who you are

5 Tsar Alexander II: Tried to moderniseTried to modernise Emancipated (freed) Serfs, 1861Emancipated (freed) Serfs, 1861 Serf = slave attached to landSerf = slave attached to land wanted Russification (unify the empire)wanted Russification (unify the empire) Reformed lawReformed law Had large moustacheHad large moustache

6 Tsar Alexander II: Created Zemstva, 1864 (= local councils)Created Zemstva, 1864 (= local councils) but very limited powerbut very limited power Reforms encouraged dissentReforms encouraged dissent assassinated by terrorists,assassinated by terrorists, ‘People’s Will’ ‘People’s Will’

7 Tsar Alexander III: ReactionaryReactionary Determined to crush political discontent,Determined to crush political discontent, restore autocratic systemrestore autocratic system modernise Russiamodernise Russia Wanted old orthodoxy, autocracy and nationality of the Russian EmpireWanted old orthodoxy, autocracy and nationality of the Russian Empire

8 Alexander III: Believed in superiority of all things Russian.Believed in superiority of all things Russian. No intention of following his father’s lead.No intention of following his father’s lead. Created a Police State to deal with opposition.Created a Police State to deal with opposition. Encouraged Russification.Encouraged Russification. Encouraged the industrialisation of RussiaEncouraged the industrialisation of Russia harsh on Jewsharsh on Jews not welcome because of business tactics (limited income of peasants and workers) and for their religious beliefsnot welcome because of business tactics (limited income of peasants and workers) and for their religious beliefs

9 Tsar Nicholas II: Not prepared for the role.Not prepared for the role. family man.family man. supporter of autocratic government.supporter of autocratic government. Had extreme hatred for the Jewish populationHad extreme hatred for the Jewish population Faced with a rebellion in 1905Faced with a rebellion in 1905

10 Nicholas II: Survived and appeared to establish constitutional government.Survived and appeared to establish constitutional government. Allowed the creation of a parliament - the Duma.Allowed the creation of a parliament - the Duma. In fact did not believe in reform and opposed sharing any powers with the DumaIn fact did not believe in reform and opposed sharing any powers with the Duma Took Russia into the First World War.Took Russia into the First World War.

11 Nicholas II: The war strained Russia to breaking point.The war strained Russia to breaking point. Revolution in February Nicholas forced to abdicate.Revolution in February Nicholas forced to abdicate. He and his family were later killed by the Communists in 1918.He and his family were later killed by the Communists in 1918.

Key Notes Read Lynch Russia pg 2-9 Complete the following Notes: Geography: In 1894 Russia covered…. The population by 1914… The Capital was… The Tsar: The people owed him… Since 1613 the Russian Tsars had been… The Church: The Russian Orthodox Church was… By late 19 th C. it had become… They believed Tsar was… The Russian Economy: Russian economic development was… Its factories were… A further restriction was… 12

Key Notes Agriculture in Tsarist Russia: Agriculture in Russia was… Land in Russia was a source of Nationalist…. The peasant problem: Dark Masses were… The Russian Army: The function of the Russian army …. The cost of maintaining the army & navy…. The army’s active service…. The civil service: At local & national levels the law, gov., police & militia were…. Copy out the Summary diagram on pg 9 Q: Using your notes & diagram – ‘Why was it so difficult for Russia to reform itself?’ 13

14 The Communists: A further revolution in October brought the Bolsheviks to power under their leader Lenin.A further revolution in October brought the Bolsheviks to power under their leader Lenin. The Bolsheviks (Communists) had to fight a civil war to establish themselves in power against the Mensheviks who were led by Martov who was the other government leader at the timeThe Bolsheviks (Communists) had to fight a civil war to establish themselves in power against the Mensheviks who were led by Martov who was the other government leader at the time

15 So……the period 1880 –1921 saw The growing gap between the wealth and power of other countries compared to the backwardness of Russia.The growing gap between the wealth and power of other countries compared to the backwardness of Russia. The industrialisation and urbanisation of Russia.The industrialisation and urbanisation of Russia. The ‘Reaction’ of Alexander III, determined to restore the autocratic powers of the Russian Tsar after the apparent liberalism of Alexander II.

16 And….. The refusal of Nicholas II to reform his government and his continuing efforts to Russify the national minorities.The refusal of Nicholas II to reform his government and his continuing efforts to Russify the national minorities. The growth of an opposition to Tsarist rule stretching from moderates to extremists.The growth of an opposition to Tsarist rule stretching from moderates to extremists. The disaster of Russia’s part in the First World War. Revolutions which overthrew the Tsar and the government which followed. The creation of a Communist government after a Civil war.

17 Task… Read the handout provided on the introduction to RussiaRead the handout provided on the introduction to Russia Be sure to answer the following questions on the last page (1-6)Be sure to answer the following questions on the last page (1-6)