1. Have Out 24.4 notes for an open-note quiz
Once you are finished, turn the quiz in and take the worksheets from the front of the room
The chart is for notes today and the reading is tonight’s homework

2. Russia: Prelude to Revolution
Essential Skill: Gather and organize information and data

3. Background Information
By 1900
Largest land mass in Europe
Largest Population in Europe (Diverse)
Undeveloped
Economically and
industrially
Early 1800s
Gov’t= Autocracy
Foreign policy= Pan-Slavism

4. Alexander I 1801-1825 Russia struggles to reform
Most Russians lived as serfs
Since the Middle Ages, Russia has relied on a serfdom system.
By 1820, many people believe that serfdom must end.
Czar Alexander I toyed with the idea until he became sick and died in 1825
Defeater of Napoleon and played a role in European reorganization

5. Nicholas I: The Decembrists Revolt
After Alexander’s death revolts start in December (Hence the name)
Officers who fought against Napoleon I saw models of other governments.
Revolt of 3,000 soldiers/officers
Nicholas I (brother of Alexander) puts down the revolt and rules Russia with an iron hand for 30 years.

6. Nicholas I: The Decembrist Revolt
Some protestors executed or exiled
Ends in Russification
Forced on non-Russian people
Use Russian language
Accept orthodox religion
Adapt Russian customs

7. Nicholas I
“Revolution stands on the threshold of Russia, but I swear it will never enter Russia while my breath lasts.”
Agreed serfdom was wrong but wanted the support of landowners to stop peasant uprisings.
Wanted to stop political uprisings:
Awful foreign policy
Pan Slavism
Expansion
Start of Crimean War ( )

8. Alexander II 1855-81 Son of Nicholas I: Alexander II takes over
Agreed to 3 reforms:
1st reform was to free the serfs 1861
No longer bound to land, could buy and own land
2nd reform: New Judicial System
3rd reform: Zemstvos- Elected local governments focused on education, public health, assistance to poor and road maintenance.
4th reform: Reorganized army and navy

9. Reforms are not Enough
Peasants still pay poll taxes, face death penalty, have no money!
Leads to more riots…
First attempt on life- 1866
Czar Alexander II is killed by students known as “The People’s Will” 1881

10. Alexander III 1881-94 Much like Nicholas I Reactionary-ended reforms
Ruled harshly and strongly put down any riots with brutal secret police unit!
Pogroms

11. Problems in Russia:
The Explosion Nears!

12. Nicholas II 1894-1917 New Czar: Nicholas II
Makes same mistakes that predecessors had made
“I shall maintain the principle of autocracy”

13. Problem 1- Poor Leadership
Nicholas II does not rule strongly for people
His wife, Alexandra is of German descent. (People resent her)
Advisor Rasputin wields enormous power

14. Rasputin Siberian Peasant
Holds great power in court…nearly all of it used poorly
Obtains powerful positions for friends, even if unqualified!
Urged Czarina to ignore demands for reform.

15. Problem 2- Poor Foreign Policy
Imperial Conflict
Russia vs. Japan for control of Korea and Manchuria
Russia is soundly defeated (Lack Technological Advancements)

16. Problem # 3: Revolution of 1905
200,000 workers petition Winter Palace
They are unarmed
Workers Want:
Better Working Conditions
More Personal Freedom
Elected Congress

17. Result Army Fires on Crowd 500-1000 die Known as Bloody Sunday
Provokes Strikes
October Manifesto promised a Russian Constitution (freedom of speech and assembly)
Right to vote
Czar Creates the Duma (Parliament)

18. Problem # 4: WWI Russia goes to war over the Balkans (Serbia)
The results are disastrous!
4 Million Russians die in the first year alone!

19. Problem # 5: Hunger By Winter of 1916-1917 People are starving
Most volunteers in Army have died by this point
Army filled with angry drafted men
Marxist ideas spread

20. Quick Review
In the overview sections, sum up whether the leader was a positive or negative influence
At the bottom of your note page create a list of all the major problems that acted as a long fuse for the explosion that was the Russian Revolution