Download Russian Repression and Reform

Russian Repression
and Reform
Conditions in Russia
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Russia in the early 1800’s
Largest most populous nation
 Rulers continued to expand Russian territory
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To the Baltic and Black seas in the West
 Into central Asia in the East
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Despite vast natural resources and large
population, Russia was economically
undeveloped
1800-1900
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Social Structure
Why was Russia so
undeveloped?

Largely based on
agriculture
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Landowning individuals
did not want change that
would threaten their
lifestyles
Small middle class
Most people were serfs
with little control
Many other peasants
forced into the tsar’s army
Strong autocratic rulers
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Tsars maintained complete
control over their subjects
Did not want to anger nobles
with reforms
Alexander II
Freedom for Serfs
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Calls for reform became louder after the Crimean War
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Crimean War showed the problems in Russia
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Fought between Russia and Ottoman Turks in 1855
Russia tried to expand into Ottoman territory but France and
Britain backed the Ottomans
Russia was defeated by the industrialized nations
Lack of transportation
Few railroads
Inefficient military
The people demanded reforms from Alexander II
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Alexander II responded by freeing the serfs
Also allowed elected assemblies at the local level to deal with
local issues
Repression
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Although Alexander instituted reforms, there was still
major discontent among the people
Emancipation brings problems

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Serfs that gained their freedom were poor and many lacked
money to buy the land they once worked
Some people moved to the cities to find industrial jobs
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Found long hours for little pay in dangerous conditions
Created slums in the larger cities where discontent grew
With Alexander’s reforms also came the demand for
more and more changes
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Liberals wanted a constitution and elected legislature
Radicals started to emerge and even turn to terrorism
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1881 Alexander II was assassinated

Alexander III responds
to his fathers
assassination with a
crackdown
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He increases the secret police
Restored strict censorship
Exiled opponents to Siberia
Also tried to repress
non-Russian peoples
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One language - Russian
One religion – Russian Orthodox
Church
Persecution of non-Russians
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Especially Jews
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Forced into ghettos
Government allowed
violent mob attacks
Many Jews left as
refugees for the United
States
Alexander III
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Nicholas II

Nicholas II was the son of
Alexander III
Nicholas focused on
industrialization
 Encouraged the building
of railroads
 Wanted to connect iron
and coal mines

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Foreign investments in the
country could be used to
invest in more industry and
transportation
Created the Trans-Siberian
Railroad
Despite increased economy
and industrialization, there
was still major discontent
Trans-Siberian Railroad
Revolution
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After suffering military defeats at the hands of the
Japanese, pent-up aggression was ready to be released
Protestors took their complaints to the streets
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Bloody Sunday
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Laborers went on strike
Liberals wanted political reform
On Sunday January 22, 1905 a priest organized a peaceful
march in St. Petersburg
Carried with them a petition for justice and freedom
When the marchers reached the steps of the palace, there
were soldiers who fired into the crowd
The people of Russia no longer could trust the tsar –
sets the stage for REVOLUTION
Revolution 1905
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After Bloody Sunday more oppressed and discontented
people took to the streets
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Strikes increased
Workers took over local governments
Peasants demanded land
Minorities called for autonomy for Russia
Nicholas could no longer ignore the peoples demands
and makes changes
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Created an elected national legislature
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When the legislature went against the government, they were
dissolved
Limited the power of the Duma
Despite the reforms, many people still did not see
much change and were very unhappy