AP Euro Seminar Derek Rack Per.4 1/18/12

Prompt Compare and contrast how TWO of the following states attempted to hold together their empires in the period circa 1850 to Austria-Hungary, Russia, Ottoman Empire

Russia In the 1850s, Russia was a poor agrarian society with a rapidly growing population. Industry was little developed, and almost 90 percent of the population lived off the land. The open field system was still in effect and serfdom remained the basic social institution. The Crimean War of devastated Russian military forces, which forced them to change their ways.

Russian Reforms The first and most significant of the reforms was the freeing of the serfs in Although the peasants were liberated, they had to pay high prices for their land and could be considered worse off than opposed to serfdom. -So, the freeing of the serfs was ultimately limited. Many later reforms were also limited such as the new institution of local government called the zemstvo. However, there was some success in reforms regarding the legal system, which established independent courts and equality before the law.

Industrialization of Russia Until the twentieth century, Russia’s greatest steps towards modernization were economic rather than political. Industry and transportation were transformed in two surges: 1. The first came after The government encouraged private railway companies, and construction rapidly increased. The railroads enabled agricultural Russia to export grain and therefore earn money for further industrialization. 2. Industrial development strengthened Russia’s military and allowed for territorial expansion to the south and east. It also contributed greatly to the spread of Marxian ideology and the transformation of the Russian revolutionary movement after 1890.

Russian Revolution of 1905 Started by pointing out the incompetence of the Russian government. On a Sunday in January 1905, a massive crowd of workers emerged peacefully on the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to present a petition to the tsar. Little did they know, tsar Nicholas II had fled the city and soldiers began to open fire on to the masses, killing and wounding hundreds. The Bloody Sunday massacre had turned common workers against the tsar and created a wave of uncertainty and disappointment.

Austria-Hungary Throughout the 1850s, Hungary was ruled as a conquered territory. All the while, Emperor Francis Joseph and his bureaucracy were trying hard to centralize the state and Germanize the language and culture of the separate nationalities. As defeat by Prussia became inevitable in 1866, a weakened Austria was forced to compromise and establish a dual-monarchy. The empire was divided into two states, only joined by a shared monarch and common ministries for finance, defense, and foreign affairs.

Austria-Hungary (cont.) Hungary was subjected to the rule of military officers, and the Catholic church was declared the state church and granted control of education. However, economic tensions and war soon brought change. Emperor Francis Joseph attempted to establish an imperial parliament with a nominated upper house and an elected lower house of representatives. Although the system was supposed to provide representation for the nationalities of the empire, the complex process used for elections ensured the election of a German-speaking majority, resulting in alienation of ethnic minorities.

Comparisons Both countries had failing governments. However, each country took steps towards the betterment of their nation. Both of their militaries were weak and needed superior forces. Both attempted at holding their empires together, but ultimately failed in most instances.

Differences Russia Sought for modernization Reforms were more economic than political One unified nation Austria-Hungary Sought for unification Reforms were more political than economic Many separate states