1. Unrest in Russia Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus
Government and Society
Reform and Repression
Quick Facts: Last Czars of Russia
War and Revolution
Quick Facts: Russian Revolution of 1905
Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts
Video: The Impact of Nationalism

2. Unrest in Russia Main Idea Reading Focus
In the 1800s and early 1900s, Russians rebelled against the absolute power of the czar and demanded social reforms.
Reading Focus
What was government and society like in Russia in the first half of the 1800s?
What were some examples of reform and repression in Russia?
How did war and revolution affect Russia in the early 1900s?

3. Nationalism Triumphs in Europe
Section 5: Russia: Reform and Reaction
Witness History Audio: Plight of the Serfs
Conditions in Russia
Russia was the largest nation in Europe. Its social structure gave much power to landowning nobles, who did nothing to improve industry. Most Russians were serfs, who served the landowners. Landowners actions were governed only by the Tsar, who ruled with absolute power.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How would you describe the life of a Russian serf?” (They were virtually slaves and could be moved or sold against their wills.) “To what group in American history could Russian serfs be compared?” (slaves)
When showing Color Transparency 136, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
Color Transparency 136: Gambling with the Lives of Serfs
Note Taking Transparency 142
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4. Government and Society
Russia one of great powers of Europe, first half 1800s
Troops helped defeat Napoleon; leaders helped reorganize Europe after his fall
Russia very different from other European powers
Empire huge, stretched eastward far into Asia, included many different ethnic groups
Huge Empire
To govern large, diverse empire, Russian monarchs ruled with absolute power
Called czars, controlled most aspects of Russian life
Believed in autocracy, government by one leader with unlimited powers
Absolute Power

5. Nationalism Triumphs in Europe
Section 5: Russia: Reform and Reaction
Emancipation and Stirrings of Revolution
After losing the Crimean War, Russian leader Alexander II was forced to free the serfs. Many serfs moved to cities to work in industry. The tsar also allowed some forms of localized government and introduced legal reforms. When the tsar moved back toward policies of repression, he was assassinated by terrorists. His son then brought more harshness to the throne—increasing the power of the secret police and suppressing non-Russian cultures. Many peoples were persecuted, especially the Jews.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How would you describe the life of a Russian serf?” (They were virtually slaves and could be moved or sold against their wills.) “To what group in American history could Russian serfs be compared?” (slaves)
When showing Color Transparency 136, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
The Drive to Industrialize
The revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx got a boost from the discontent of workers as industrialization took hold. Peasants who moved to cities found dangerous jobs, low pay, and slums.
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6. Serfdom Agricultural Society Serfs Societal Problem
Russian society under czars mostly agricultural
Unlike other European countries, Russia had not industrialized
Much of population, serfs—workers considered part of land they worked
Serfs
Controlled by lords, wealthy nobles who owned land
Technically not slaves; living conditions, lack of freedom, resembled slavery
Not allowed to leave property where born; did not own land they worked
Societal Problem
Serfs had to make regular payments of goods, labor to lords
Some in government wanted to improve conditions, unable to make reforms
Russian serfdom way of life, a major problem in Russian society

7. Gambling with the Lives of Serfs

8. Summarize
What was Russian government and society like in the first half of the 1800s?
Answer(s): autocratic government led by czar, country's population mainly peasants, many peasants were serfs

9. Reform and Repression The Decembrist Revolt Nicholas’s Response
Russians wanted more freedoms. But Russia’s conservative czars were resistant to reform, which led to revolts, unrest, and repression.
Secret societies formed to fight against czar’s rule
Saw opportunity for change with death of Alexander I, 1825
One group called Decembrists
Included military officers
3,000 soldiers assembled near Winter Palace
Refused to declare allegiance to new czar, Nicholas I
The Decembrist Revolt
Nicholas responded by crushing rebellion
Many Decembrists captured, sent to Siberia, isolated region in far eastern Russia
Five Decembrists executed
Decembrist revolt failed, but began revolutionary movement in Russia destined to grow in years ahead
Nicholas’s Response

10. Reforms of Alexander II
Russia Lagging Behind
Alexander II came to power after Nicholas, 1855, near end of Crimean War
Loss of war showed Russia far behind rest of Europe
Did not have modern technology, industry to build competitive military
Reforms
Alexander II began program of reforms
1861, freed Russia’s serfs, gave them right to own land as part of commune
Believed terrible living conditions could bring rebellion
Economy
Alexander II hoped giving serfs own land would build market economy
Government set up system for peasants to buy land they worked on from landowner, usually with government help

11. Alexander II made other reforms to modernize Russia
Reform and Repression
Alexander II made other reforms to modernize Russia
Set up new judicial system
Allowed some local self-government
Reorganized army, navy
Despite reforms, revolutionary movements continued to gain strength, call for more changes
1881, radical group, The People’s Will, assassinated Czar Alexander II

13. Unrest Under Alexander II
Alexander’s son, Alexander III, became next czar
Alexander III a reactionary, wanted to go back to way things were in past, ended father’s reforms
Responded to revolutionary threats by going after individuals, groups suspected of plotting against government
Mobs began attacking Jews, killing them, destroying property
Attacks known as pogroms; first wave began after Alexander II assassinated
Some wrongly blamed Jews
Government did not stop attacks
Different Form of Unrest
1894, Nicholas II crowned
Autocratic ruler, developed industry
1890s, Russia began building Trans-Siberian Railroad to link western Russia with Siberia
Expansion east would lead to war
Industrialization under Nicholas

15. What were some key reforms in Russia during the 1800s?
Identify
What were some key reforms in Russia during the 1800s?
Answer(s): freeing of serfs; system whereby peasants could buy the land they worked; reformed judicial system and some local self-government

16. Nationalism Triumphs in Europe
Section 5: Russia: Reform and Reaction
Turning Point: Crisis and Revolution
Military disasters in a war with Japan drove workers to strike and protesters to fill the streets. When the tsar’s troops fired on peaceful protestors, the revolution of 1905 gained power. Tsar Nicholas II agreed to summon a Duma to approve all laws. He quickly dissolved the Duma, however, after its leaders criticized his rule. Nicholas then appointed conservative Peter Stolypin as prime minister. He was assassinated in 1911.
Witness History Video: Crisis and Revolution in Russia
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How would you describe the life of a Russian serf?” (They were virtually slaves and could be moved or sold against their wills.) “To what group in American history could Russian serfs be compared?” (slaves)
When showing Color Transparency 136, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
QuickTake Chapter Test
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18. War and Revolution Expansion East War With Japan Growing Unrest
Russia expanded east
Came into conflict with another imperial power—Japan
At same time, revolution brewing
War With Japan
Early 1900s, Japan building empire, viewed Russia as threat
1904, Japanese forces attacked, defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese War
Growing Unrest
Defeat shocked many Russians, added to unrest
One group calling for change, Marxists—followed communist theories of Karl Marx
Marxist Ideas
Wanted to create socialist republic—no private property, state to own, distribute goods
1902, Vladimir Lenin called for revolution to overthrow czar

20. The Revolution of 1905 Revolution Begins
1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar
January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands
Troops fired at group; hundreds died; day known as Bloody Sunday
Revolution Begins
Bloody Sunday inspired many sectors of society to rise up against czar; rebellions broke out, czar’s strict rules disobeyed
Workers went on strike, students protested in streets
Czar promised reform, but did not follow through
Massive strike in October; 2 million workers protested in streets

25. The October Manifesto
In response to the rebellions and strikes, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, an official promise for reform and a more democratic government.
Manifesto promised constitution
Individual liberties to all, including freedom of speech, assembly
Many gained right to vote
Provisions
Voters would elect representatives to the Duma, assembly to approve all laws
Czar continue to rule, but not pass laws without approval of Duma
Duma
Nicholas II hoped Manifesto would end revolution
Did not achieve balance between own power, democracy
People still wanted reform
End Revolution

27. What were some causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905?
Cause and Effect
What were some causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905?
Answer(s): growing unrest, pogroms, crack down on revolutionary movements, defeat in Russo-Japanese War led to discontent, Bloody Sunday inspired rebellions against czar

29. Video The Impact of Nationalism
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30. Nationalism Triumphs In Europe: Section 5
Note Taking Transparency 142
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31. Nationalism Triumphs In Europe: Section 5
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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