Russian Repression and Reform

Conditions in Russia Russia in the early 1800’s Russia in the early 1800’s Largest most populous nation Largest most populous nation Rulers continued to expand Russian territory Rulers continued to expand Russian territory To the Baltic and Black seas in the West To the Baltic and Black seas in the West Into central Asia in the East Into central Asia in the East Despite vast natural resources and large population, Russia was economically undeveloped Despite vast natural resources and large population, Russia was economically undeveloped

Social Structure Why was Russia so undeveloped? Why was Russia so undeveloped? Largely based on agriculture Largely based on agriculture Landowning individuals did not want change that would threaten their lifestyles Landowning individuals did not want change that would threaten their lifestyles Small middle class Small middle class Most people were serfs with little control Most people were serfs with little control Many other peasants forced into the tsar’s army Many other peasants forced into the tsar’s army Strong autocratic rulers Strong autocratic rulers Tsars maintained complete control over their subjects Tsars maintained complete control over their subjects Did not want to anger nobles with reforms Did not want to anger nobles with reforms Alexander II

Freedom for Serfs Calls for reform became louder after the Crimean War Calls for reform became louder after the Crimean War Fought between Russia and Ottoman Turks in 1855 Fought between Russia and Ottoman Turks in 1855 Russia tried to expand into Ottoman territory but France and Britain backed the Ottomans Russia tried to expand into Ottoman territory but France and Britain backed the Ottomans Russia was defeated by the industrialized nations Russia was defeated by the industrialized nations Crimean War showed the problems in Russia Crimean War showed the problems in Russia Lack of transportation Lack of transportation Few railroads Few railroads Inefficient military Inefficient military The people demanded reforms from Alexander II The people demanded reforms from Alexander II Alexander II responded by freeing the serfs Alexander II responded by freeing the serfs Also allowed elected assemblies at the local level to deal with local issues Also allowed elected assemblies at the local level to deal with local issues

Repression Although Alexander instituted reforms, there was still major discontent among the people Although Alexander instituted reforms, there was still major discontent among the people Emancipation brings problems Emancipation brings problems Serfs that gained their freedom were poor and many lacked money to buy the land they once worked Serfs that gained their freedom were poor and many lacked money to buy the land they once worked Some people moved to the cities to find industrial jobs Some people moved to the cities to find industrial jobs Found long hours for little pay in dangerous conditions Found long hours for little pay in dangerous conditions Created slums in the larger cities where discontent grew Created slums in the larger cities where discontent grew With Alexander’s reforms also came the demand for more and more changes With Alexander’s reforms also came the demand for more and more changes Liberals wanted a constitution and elected legislature Liberals wanted a constitution and elected legislature Radicals started to emerge and even turn to terrorism Radicals started to emerge and even turn to terrorism 1881 Alexander II was assassinated 1881 Alexander II was assassinated

Alexander III Alexander III responds to his fathers assassination with a crackdown Alexander III responds to his fathers assassination with a crackdown He increases the secret police He increases the secret police Restored strict censorship Restored strict censorship Exiled opponents to Siberia Exiled opponents to Siberia Also tried to repress non-Russian peoples Also tried to repress non-Russian peoples One language - Russian One language - Russian One religion – Russian Orthodox Church One religion – Russian Orthodox Church Persecution of non-Russians Persecution of non-Russians Especially Jews Especially Jews Forced into ghettos Forced into ghettos Government allowed violent mob attacks Government allowed violent mob attacks Many Jews left as refugees for the United States Many Jews left as refugees for the United States

Nicholas II Nicholas II was the son of Alexander III Nicholas II was the son of Alexander III Nicholas focused on industrialization Nicholas focused on industrialization Encouraged the building of railroads Encouraged the building of railroads Wanted to connect iron and coal mines Wanted to connect iron and coal mines Foreign investments in the country could be used to invest in more industry and transportation Foreign investments in the country could be used to invest in more industry and transportation Created the Trans-Siberian Railroad Created the Trans-Siberian Railroad Despite increased economy and industrialization, there was still major discontent Despite increased economy and industrialization, there was still major discontent

Trans-Siberian Railroad

Revolution After suffering military defeats at the hands of the Japanese, pent-up aggression was ready to be released After suffering military defeats at the hands of the Japanese, pent-up aggression was ready to be released Protestors took their complaints to the streets Protestors took their complaints to the streets Laborers went on strike Laborers went on strike Liberals wanted political reform Liberals wanted political reform Bloody Sunday Bloody Sunday On Sunday January 22, 1905 a priest organized a peaceful march in St. Petersburg On Sunday January 22, 1905 a priest organized a peaceful march in St. Petersburg Carried with them a petition for justice and freedom Carried with them a petition for justice and freedom When the marchers reached the steps of the palace, there were soldiers who fired into the crowd When the marchers reached the steps of the palace, there were soldiers who fired into the crowd The people of Russia no longer could trust the tsar – sets the stage for REVOLUTION The people of Russia no longer could trust the tsar – sets the stage for REVOLUTION

Revolution 1905 After Bloody Sunday more oppressed and discontented people took to the streets After Bloody Sunday more oppressed and discontented people took to the streets Strikes increased Strikes increased Workers took over local governments Workers took over local governments Peasants demanded land Peasants demanded land Minorities called for autonomy for Russia Minorities called for autonomy for Russia Nicholas could no longer ignore the peoples demands and makes changes Nicholas could no longer ignore the peoples demands and makes changes Created an elected national legislature Created an elected national legislature When the legislature went against the government, they were dissolved When the legislature went against the government, they were dissolved Limited the power of the Duma Limited the power of the Duma Despite the reforms, many people still did not see much change and were very unhappy Despite the reforms, many people still did not see much change and were very unhappy