Download Russian Czars of the 1800`s

Ch. 14 – Russian Revolution
Last of the Romanovs
Alexander I- 1801-1825
Social- gives Poland a constitution and talks about liberal reforms, but ends up being a strict, harsh ruler.
Political- Congress of Vienna
Nicholas I- 1825-1855
Strict and harsh ruler; has to arrest all liberal movements that were encouraged by Alexander I
Military-invades Turkey- Crimean War causes a military humiliation for Russia
Alexander II-1855-1881
Social-Frees the serfs (1861) and tries other social reforms
Political- has to put down a revolt in Poland (1863) and as a result of these reforms, he has to put down territorial
activities at home; is assassinated in 1881 by the terrorists
Alexander III-1881-1894
Social- Reacts strongly to the death of his father and organizes a police force to crush the terrorists. It also is the period of
industrialization in Russia. He could see that his father's reforms had resulted in increased opposition and, eventually,
death. During his reign he tried to turn the clock back and reinstate the policy of "Autocracy, Orthodoxy, and
Nationalism." Under the guidance of his chief adviser, Constantine Pobedonostsev (1827-1907), Alexander pursued a
policy of censorship, regulation of schools and universities, and increased secret police activities.
Nicholas II –1894-1917
Nicholas was an absolute ruler that did not want to give up any of the control he had over his nation even though this was
becoming an outdated method of ruling. He continued the policies of Alexander III. While he was leading Russia in
World War I he was overthrown and forced to abdicate. He and his family were executed in 1918 on the orders of the
Bolsheviks.
Reasons for the Revolution of 1905
1. When the serfs were freed the previous century by Alexander II he did not provide any land for them. They had to buy
the land. They had little rights and industrialization in Russia was not very great. The previous serfs now had to buy
the land they had been working. They did not have enough money to pay taxes and still make a living.
2. Food shortages because of the freedom of the serfs and the lack of people to work the farms.
3. The overspending of the Czars and the poor financial position of the empire.
4. Alexander II tried to make reforms but they were not enough for the Liberals and too much for the Conservatives.
5. Terrorists groups were formed because there were no avenues for expression in the Autocratic Russia. groups called
Nihilists formed that wanted to do away with the whole political and social system and start all over.
6. The loss of the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. This caused problems within the military which caused people to believe
that the military would back the revolution
Reasons for its failure
1. The Soldiers did not back the revolution but backed the Czar.
2. The French lent money to the Czar with money because the Russian treasury was bare.
3. Because there were so many different reasons for the revolution, there were many different groups who wanted
revolution and these groups could not form a coalition and remained divided in their goals.
Results of the Revolution of 1905
1. Immediate result was the October Manifesto called for the election of a parliament called the Duma which actually was
not very effective because after 1907 only wealthy landowners could vote
2. The revolutionaries were imprisoned, executed or exiled.
3. Greater repressive methods were used to continue control.
Czar Nicholas inhibited further revolution by issuing the October Manifesto guaranteeing individual liberties and
provided for the election of a parliament called the Duma. (He stole their thunder) Later he dismissed two sessions of
the Duma and changed the electorial process to create a more conservative Duma.
1917 Russian Revolution
World War I Begins
Food Riots break out in St. Petersburg (later named Petrograd)
Czar’s troop side with the rioters (March 8, 1917)
Czar Nicholas II abdicates (March 15, 1917)
Provisional government created and calls for elections to form a constitutional assembly.
Soviets establish support from the masses with the slogan "Peace, Bread, and Land"
Lenin returns to Russia adding to the slogan "All power to the Soviets"
First attempt of the Soviets to overthrow the Provisional government and Kerensky. This fails because of support of
the French (June 1917)
9. Bolshevik's coup d'etat against the Provisional government at the Winter Palace called October Revolution (guns of
Aurora were aimed at the Palace)
10. Elections for a new government held (420 seats went to the Social Revolutionaries; 255 to the Bolsheviks)
11. Newly elected assembly met in January 1918 and was dissolved by an attack of Bolshevik soldiers.
12. Russia signs the Treaty of Brest-Litov, a peace treaty with Germany and leaves WWI
13. Middle class liberals, Moderate Socialists, and the Royalists (Whites) although they have different idealogies join
together to fight the Bolsheviks (Reds).
14. Czar Nicholas II and his family are killed (July 16-17, 1918)
15. Civil War over by 1921 thus beginning Lenin's control with terror.
16. Checka, or secret police created, modeled after the Czars secret police.
17. Famine and decreased production plagued the nation.
18. Lenin institutes his New Economic Plan or NEP. This is a return to some capitalistic practices.
19. Lenin manages to lure the Russians into a sense of security under which they expected greater freedom than they had
under the Czars.
20. Lenin has a heart attack and effective control of the newly created USSR is in the hands of Stalin who outmaneuvers
Trotsky.
21. Upon Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin exiles Trotsky using his role as Secretary General of the Communist Party rules the
USSR until his death in 1953.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.