Download Describe

Russia in the
th
19
Century
Conservativism, Industrialism and Revolution
in the Russian Empire
How and why did Marxist revolutionaries seize power in 1917?
The Russian Revolution was a slow burn
before its massive explosion in 1917.
1910
1900
Dec 1917 Bolshevik Revolution
Mar 1917 March Revolution
1914 World War I breaks out
1904-1905 Russia bitterly defeated in Russo-Japanese War
Oct 1905 Nicholas II signs October Manifesto
Jan 1905 Bloody Sunday
1894 Nicholas II ascends the throne
1890
1880
1870
1860
1850
1881 Alexander II assassinated by the
Narodnaya Volya (The Peoples’ Will)
Alexander III ascends the throne
(“autocracy, orthodoxy, nationality”)
1853-1861 Alexander II abolishes serfdom
1853-56 Russia losses Crimean War
1840
1830
1820
1825 Nicholas I represses Decembrist Revolt
Background to the Russian Revolution
Russia under the Romanovs
At the beginning of the 19th century, Russia was overwhelmingly rural,
agricultural and autocratic. The Russian tsar, Nicholas I, maintained complete
authority and claimed the divine-right to rule. As such, he had unlimited
power over his country during a time when the monarchs of western Europe
were experiencing a reduction in power through the introduction of liberal
reforms. The Russian imperial autocracy built its power upon the loyalty of its
soldiers, the public’s fear of the secret police, and the repression of ideas
through censorship and imprisonment. Through these means, the Romanov
Dynasty managed to withstand the revolutionary fervor that had swept
through western Europe during the first half of the century. However, by
mid-19th century, it became clear to Alexander II that Russia needed to make
serious reforms if it was going to “catch up” to nations of western Europe—
economically, politically, and militaristically. If Russia was to become a major
player in the new world order (imperial conquests of industrialized nations), it
needed to make serious reforms. For some, these reforms were not enough.
For others, these reforms were dangerous to the status quo. By the outbreak
of WWI, this conflict evolved into an uncontrollable turning point.
Decembrist Revolt
The First Clash Between Liberals and Conservatives
Liberal 0 : Conservative 1
Who were they?
-liberal minded officers of the Imperial Russian Guard.
-heavily influenced by the political works of Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu.
-did not have a common view of what reform should look
moderates: constitutional monarchy; limited suffrage; end serfdom; equality before the law
radicals: abolish monarchy; establish republic; redistribute land (½  peasants and ½
state)
What happened?
-“dispute” over legitimacy of heir to the throne
Constantine (original heir) favored enlightenment ideas & constitutional reforms
Nicholas I (actual heir) authoritarian, oppressive
-3,000 army officers assembled in St. Petersburg to protest.
-Nicholas I ordered over 9,000 soldiers to surround them and pressure them to leave.
-The men refused to leave, the tsar’s troops opened fire.
-Many died; Many arrested; Some hanged; Many others sent into exile into Siberia
Why important?
-not so much an event as a reaction to the “backward” condition of Russia
-was the result of the “awakening” caused by the Napoleonic War
-Russian soldiers fighting in Western Europe exposed to Western European govt,
philosophies, society, culture
-Nicholas I violently represses all ideas for democratic change and liberal reforms
Nicholas I: Struggle Against Revolution, Challenge of Expansion
Document 1: The Decembrists
Describe:
Explain:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
-bullet specific critical
information
-use outside information
(OI) to further explain the
document
Pavel Pestwl was a Russian Revolution and radical
leader within the Decembrist movement. He was a
staunch supporter of the creation of a republic and
demanded socioeconomic reforms that would
fundamentally change Russian society. He he states
one of the radicals motivation for reform:
“The desirability of granting freedom to the serfs was
considered from the very beginning; for that purpose
a majority of the nobility was to be invited in order to
petition the Emperor about it. This was later thought
of on many occasions, but we soon came to realize
that the nobility could not be persuaded. And as time
went on we became even more convinced, when the
Ukrainian nobility absolutely rejected a similar project
of their military governor.”
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Document 2: The Crimean War
Between 1853-56, Russia was in direct conflict France, England and Sardinia over
Describe: controlling influence of territories in the failing Ottoman Empire. Russia’s defeat
1 sentence
summarizing the convinced staunch conservatives that Russia was hopelessly behind the West.
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Alexander II: “The Tsar liberator”
“transformation from above”
The Crimean
War was an
indictment of
just how
impossibly
backwards the
Russian
feudal system
was compared
to Western
European
standards. To
move forward,
fundamental
economic and
political
reforms
needed to be
made.
In England and France, social and economic change came from
society as people sought new opportunities and rights
Traditionally in Russia, change had to come from the
state/government (tsar)
REFORMS:
-pardoned
Decembrist
rebels
-abolished
corporal
punishment
-relaxed
censorship
-instituted
trial by jury
-chartered
new
industries
-abolished
serfdom
-supported
new
industries
-built transSiberian RR
Aggressive Reforms to Please the Peasants
emancipation
Was the last European
country to free the
serfs
Free to own
property
Land reforms
Govt provided land
for the peasants by
buying it from the
aristocratic landlords
Free to marry
as they chose
Above: Tsar Alexander II
Below Left: Russian
Peasants in the 19th
century.
To ensure that the peasants paid their installments, they
were placed in village communes, called mirs.
Landlords kept best
lands
Peasants couldn’t
grow enough to
support themselves
Peasants expect to
pay the govt back in
long-term
installments
Above: Russian Peasants on a 19th century Russian mir.
Result of “reforms”: unhappy, impoverished,
hungry, discontented, no means to improve
farming methods
Weren’t allowed to
leave communes to
ensure installments
were paid
Document 3: Serfdom
“…What all this denoted was the mixture of fear and deep distaste that the Russian establishment
traditionally felt towards the peasantry. Often contemptuously referred to as the ‘dark masses’, the
1 sentence
peasants were seen as a dangerous force that had to be kept down. Beneath the generous words
summarizing the in which Emancipation had been couched was a belief that the common people of Russia, unless
purpose of the
controlled and directed, were a very real threat to the existing order of things. Whatever
document.
emancipation may have offered to the peasants, it was not genuine liberty…
Describe:
…the details of Emancipation were less significant than the fact of the reform itself. Whatever its
shortcomings, emancipation was the prelude to the most sustained programme of reform that
imperial Russia had yet experienced (see the Timeline). There is also the irony that such a
sweeping move could not have been introduced except by a ruler with absolute powers; it could
not have been done in a democracy. The only comparable social change of such magnitude was
President Lincoln’s freeing of the negro slaves in 1865…
Yet when that achievement has been duly noted and credited, hindsight suggests that
emancipation was essentially a failure. It raised expectations and dashed them. Russia gave
promise of entering a new dawn but then retreated into darkness. This tends to suggest that
Alexander II and his government deliberately set out to betray the peasants. This was certainly the
argument used by radical critics of the regime. It is important to consider, however, that land reform
always takes time to work. It can never be a quick fix. Alexander’s prime motive in introducing
emancipation was undoubtedly the desire to produce results that were beneficial to his regime. But
this is not to suggest that he was insincere in his wish to elevate the condition of the peasants…
Emancipation was intended to give Russia economic and social stability and thus prepare the way
for its industrial and commercial growth. But it ended in failure. It both frightened the privileged
classes and disappointed the progressives. It went too far for those slavophiles in the court who
wanted Russia to cling to its old ways and avoid the corruption that came with western modernity. It
did not go far enough for those progressives who believed that a major social transformation was
needed in Russia.” –History Today (http://www.historytoday.com/michael-lynch/emancipationrussian-serfs-1861-charter-freedom-or-act-betrayal)
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Russia’s Industrial Revolution
• 1890s = industrialization
under way and growing
rapidly
• Focused on railroads and
heavy industry
• By 1900 = Russia ranked
4th in the world in steel
production
• Had major industries in:
coal, textiles, and oil
Social Outcomes
The Rising Middle Class vs The Struggle Working Class
Bourgeoisie + : Proletariat -
• Growing middle class =
comprised of businessmen
and professionals
• Many objected to tsarist
Russia and wanted a
greater role in political life
• But, the middle class was
also dependent on the
state for: contracts, jobs,
and suppressing the
growing radicalism of the
workers
• Factory workers = about 5% of
total Russian population
• Harsh work conditions
– 13-hour work day
– Ruthless discipline and constant
disrespect from supervisors
• Most lived in large, unsanitary
barracks
• Unions and political parties =
illegal
– Only way to protest was
through large-scale strikes
Document 4: Early 20th Century: Russian Social Hierarchy
Explain:
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Alexander III returns Russia to repression and autocracy
“autocracy, orthodoxy and nationality”
Political
repression of
revolutionary
ideas
Oppression of
Jews:
pogroms
Rapid
economic
expansion
Document 5: Alexander III’s Manifesto of April 29, 1881
“We proclaim this to all Our faithful subjects: God in His ineffable judgment has
Describe: deemed it proper to culminate the glorious reign of Our beloved father with a
1 sentence
martyr's death, and to lay the Holy duty of Autocratic Rule on us… We assume this
summarizing the burden in a terrible hour of universal popular grief and terror…
purpose of the
Our father… in his stewardship [of the people], remained faithful even unto death. It
document.
was not so much by stern orders as by goodness and kindness… that He carried
out the greatest undertaking of His reign--the emancipation of the enserfed
peasants. In this he was able to elicit the cooperation of the noble [serf-] holders
themselves, who always quick to the summons of the good and honorable. He
established Justice in the Realm and, having made his subjects without exception
free for all time, He summoned them to take charge of local administration and
public works. May His memory be blessed through the ages!.
The base and wicked murder of a Russian Sovereign by unworthy monsters from
the people, done in the very midst of that faithful people, who were ready to lay
down their lives for Him… has darkened Our entire land with grief and terror. But in
the midst of Our great grief, the voice of God orders Us courageously to
undertake… the task of ruling, with faith in the strength and rightness of autocratic
power. We are summoned to reaffirm that Power and preserve it for the benefit of
the people from any encroachment.
Courage to the hearts, now overcome by confusion and terror, of our faithful
subjects, who all love the Fatherland and have from generation to generation been
devoted to the Hereditary Tsarist Power! Under its shelter and in unbroken union
with it, Our land has more than once experienced great tumults and passed, with
faith in the God who ordains its fate, through grievous experiences and
misfortunes and on to new power and glory.”
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Alexander III: Increased violence against Russian Jews
Pogroms:
In the Russian
Empire the
Jews had been
subject to
persecutions
for centuries,
often at the
instigation of
local
government
officials.
Derived from the Russian word meaning “to wreak
havoc”, a pogrom is an organized attack, often a
massacre, against Jewish peoples , particularly in
the Pale region of western Russia.
Scenes from Fiddler on the Roof (end of wedding scene)
Between 1881 and the Russian Revolution,
pogroms were especially violent.
Reasons:
Rapid economic expansion did not parallel an equal increase in opportunity and security for peasants
-freeing of the serfs in 1861 meant that uneducated peasants flooded the cities looking for work
-peasants began to organize and riot against the better-educated, wealthier Jews they encountered
Long standing anti-Semitism
-many published books and revered Russian writers/poets were publically anti-Semitic
-Alexander III blamed his father’s assassination on the Jews, even though he knew it was not true
Document 6: Pogroms
Location of official pogroms between 1881-1917.
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Tsar Nicholas Romanov II and His Family
Anastasi
a
The Last
Tsar of
Russia
Alexie
&
Rasputin
Nicholas II: Troubled, Charmed Family,
Troubled, Desperate Country
"The Czar
can change
his mind from
one minute to
the next; he’s
a sad man; he
lacks guts.”
“His character is
the source of all
our misfortunes.
His outstanding
weakness is a
lack of
willpower.”
“It was not a
weakness of will
that was the
undoing of the last
Czar but… a willful
determination to
rule from the
throne, despite the
fact that he clearly
lacked the
necessary qualities
to do so.”
Orlando
Figes,
Russian
Historian
Rasputin,
Supposed
holy man
and advisor
to tsarina
Sergei Witte,
Russian
Count who
negotiated
peace with
Japan
Reasons for the Demand of Reform
Economic
Extensive Foreign
Investments & Influence
Social
Political
HUGE gap between rich
and poor b/c of:
-entrenched aristocracy
-ineffective land reform
-rapid industrialization
-unequal development
throughout country
Right:
“Running
away? Not a
bit of it. I’m
luring ‘em
on.”
Left: The
TransSiberian
Railroad
Russo-Japanese War (19041905)
Document 7: Russo-Japanese War
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Russia’s Bloody Sunday: January 22, 1905
Unrest Among the Peasants & Urban Working Poor
Result
-Revolution
brutally
suppressed
-Tsar forced
to
implement
reluctant &
halfhearted
reforms (most
of which weren’t
actually carried
out)
Above:
Father
Georgi
Gapon
1.Constitution
2.Legalized
trade unions
and political
parties
3. Duma
4. Eased
censorship
5. Expand
education
6. Expand
industrial
development
Document 8: The Tsar’s October Manifesto: October 30, 1905
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
Document 9: 1905, a Year of Unrest
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document
The October Manifesto: Superficial Reform
Fundamental Laws (1906):
-Declared tsar supreme over the
law, the church, and the Duma.
-Confirmed basic human rights as
granted by the October Manifesto
BUT
did not make them unalienable,
universal rights protected by law
The first two dumas were too
radical for tsar’s taste.
The third duma was elected by the
richest people in Russia in 1907 :.
much more conservative
•
•
•
•
These limited reforms
did not tame the radical
working class or bring
social stability to Russia
1907 = Tsar Nicholas II
dissolved the Duma
Limited political voice
even for the privileged
classes
Many felt that revolution
was inevitable and
necessary if real changes
were going to happen
Rise of the Unstoppable Revolutionaries
1914: Outbreak of WWI puts political strife temporarily on hold
1916: Russia is cold, starving, angry, and ready for revolution


Key catalyst = World War
I
Russian Revolution of
1917 sparked by:




Hardships of WWI
Social tensions of
industrialization
Autocratic tsarist regime
This revolution brought
to power the Bolsheviks
= radical socialist group

Led by Vladimir Lenin





Most of
revolutionary
groups were
socialist
Revolutionaries
most effective in
the cities
Published
pamphlets and
newspapers
Organized people
through trade
unions
Spread their
messages among
workers and
peasants
The Revolution is Underway
Document 10: The Bolshevik Revolution
Describe:
1 sentence
summarizing the
purpose of the
document.
Analyze:
How does this document connect to other documents?
How does this reflect conservativism, industrialism and/or revolution?
Explain:
-bullet specific
critical
information
-use outside
information (OI)
to further
explain the
document