19th Century Russia Overview

19th Century Russia

• Russia was underdeveloped and lagged behind Europe in modernization.
• Russian rulers showed little interest in liberty or modernization.
• Tsars held absolute power without accountability.
• A severe famine caused widespread suffering and death.
• Russia remained a largely feudal and backward society.

Tsar Alexander II

• Alexander II emancipated the serfs.
• Freed serfs were required to repay their landlords over 49 years.
• Alexander II was a reformer, but his autocratic rule was also criticized.

Tsar Alexander III

• Alexander III felt his father's reforms weakened Tsarist authority.
• He suppressed religious minorities and non-Russians.
• The Okhrana, a secret police force, was established to quell opposition.
• Alexander III was known for his repressive policies.

Tsar Nicholas II

• Nicholas II was perceived as indecisive and unprepared to rule.
• He believed in his divine right to rule as Tsar.
• 1,500 people died in a stampede during his coronation.
• Growing discontent with Tsarist rule followed the coronation.
• Nicholas II was nicknamed "the bloody" due to the Bloody Sunday massacre.
• He was blamed for the lack of modernization and insufficient rights for the people.

Rise of Communism

• Communism was seen as a solution to Tsarist oppression by some Russians.
• Vladimir Lenin, an intellectual, strongly supported communism.
• Lenin believed capitalism exploited the working class.
• Lenin was exiled to Siberia for his communist beliefs.
• Lenin left Russia to collaborate with other Marxists in Europe.
• A communist newsletter was smuggled into Russia.

The Bolsheviks

• Lenin's political party was the Bolsheviks.
• Lenin's uncompromising stance caused a division in the socialist party.
• The Mensheviks were less radical socialists.
• The Mensheviks were wary of Lenin's authoritarian tendencies.

1905 Russian Revolution

• The Tsarist government struggled to modernize and improve people's lives.
• War with Japan was declared to distract from domestic issues.
• Russia suffered an unexpected defeat by Japan.
• The defeat heightened public discontent.
• Father Gapon led a peaceful protest to the Winter Palace.
• The Tsar's troops fired on the crowd, killing 200 and injuring 800.
• The event became known as Bloody Sunday.
• The 1905 Revolution resulted following Bloody Sunday.
• Workers, liberals, and peasants rebelled against Tsarist rule.
• Soviets (local elected councils) emerged from workers' organizing.

The Duma

• Tsar Nicholas II agreed to share power with an elected assembly called the Duma.
• He later reversed this decision and reclaimed power.
• Tsar Nicholas II survived the 1905 Revolution.

Stolypin Reforms

• Pyotr Stolypin, a key advisor to the Tsar, implemented reforms to prevent further unrest.
• He introduced agricultural reforms to improve peasant lives.
• Suppressive measures were taken against opponents to the Tsar, causing many deaths.
• Economic reforms improved the Russian economy.

Lenin and Stalin's Meeting

• Lenin met Joseph Stalin at a communist convention in Finland.
• Stalin became a fund-raiser for the Bolsheviks.

The Bolsheviks

• Stalin was a significant leader within the Bolshevik party.
• Stalin faced exile to Siberia for his involvement.

Tsar Nicholas II

• Tsar Nicholas II presided over a period of economic recovery.
• Initially, significant internal issues were avoided.

Grigori Rasputin

• Rasputin was a religious figure claiming healing powers.
• He rose to prominence and influence in Russia.
• His unconventional behavior and gatherings were controversial.
• Rasputin attracted negative press attention.
• Rasputin gained proximity to the Tsar and Tsarina, due to his alleged healing of their son Alexei.
• Alexei had hemophilia.
• Rasputin's influence within the Tsar's household was highly controversial.
• Despite Rasputin's presence and issues, the Tsar experienced a period of relative peace and economic prosperity.
• Questions arise concerning whether the Tsar's inaction, trusting Rasputin's influence, contributed to upheaval.

World War I

• World War I began in 1914.
• The war was expected to negatively affect Russia, leading to potential unrest.