1. Russia: Reform and Reaction

2. Conditions in Russia Obstacles to Progress
Czars saw the need to modernize without losing absolute rule
Social Structure (nobles, middle class, serfs)
Serfdom
Peasants, servants, artisans, soldiers
Russia’s economy would remain backward

3. Russian Absolutism
Czar Alexander I eased censorship and promoted education
Opposed liberal and nationalist impulses
Nicholas I suppressed Decembrists
Used police spies, banned books with liberal ideas, allowed only approved textbooks in schools
Locked up Russians with liberal or revolutionary ideas in mental hospitals

4. Russian Absolutism Nicholas I embraced three pillars
Orthodoxy – strong ties between church and government
Autocracy - absolute power of the state
Nationalism – respect for Russian traditions and suppression on Non Russian groups
New law code and economic reforms

5. Reforms of Alexander II
Emancipation
Freed the serf
Lands allotted to serfs to small for farm efficiently
Serfs moved to cities to work in industries

6. Reforms of Alexander II
Other Reforms
Zemstvos elected assemblies
Responsible for road repair, schools, and agriculture
Censorship and reformed military
Service reduced 25 yrs to 15 yrs
Women liberation
Left to be educated abroad

7. Reaction to Change Revolutionary Currents Crackdown
Socialists spread word to peasants
Assassinated Czar Alexander II
Alexander III increased police power
Russification aimed to suppressing the cultures of non-Russian people within the empire.
One language One Church
Persecution and Pogroms
Jews restrictions
Violent mob attacks
Emigrated to US

8. Crisis and Revolution Peaceful March Revolution of 1905
Workers strikes –shorter hours better wages
Constitution and reforms
Father George Gapon organized a march Sunday January 22, 1905
Strikes multiplied
October Manifesto
“Freedom of person, conscience, speech, assembly and union”
Duma (elected legislative)
Bloody Sunday
Czar fled palace
Troops shot into crowd
Killed the people’s faith and trust in the Czar