Russia

Main

Life Under Alexander I and Nicholas I

1777 - 1855

Russia was the most populous nation after expanding on the Baltic and Black seas, full of natural resources. Disliked by the people because of it's autocratic government and excessive expansion. Landowning nobles rejected any idea that would hurt their privileges and put the middle class in a tight spot. A majority of the people were serfs, which mostly consisted of peasants who led insufficient lives. The Tsars constantly tried to oppress them but the people scared them, making them fearful of potential riots.

Decembrist Revolt

1825

Army officers demanded reforms based off of liberal ideas from Western Europe. Nicolas did his best to repress them.

Crimean War

1855

Result of Russia's attempt to seize Ottoman land, fighting alongside Britain and France. Russia lost due to military inefficiency.

Alexander II Gains Power

1860 - 1870

Censorship lifted and discipline limited. Encouraged growth of industry in Russia.

Zemstvos

1860 - 1870

Approved, elected assemblies are seen as the local government.

Emancipation of Serfs

1861

Alexander II agreed to liberal reforms

Socialist Repression

1870 - 1880

Failure of reform/rebellion resulted from socialists living among peasants.

Alexander III and the Socialists

1880 - 1890

Increased secret police, repression of culture, restored censorship and began to exile critics to Siberia. Insisted on one language (Russian) and one church (Russian Orthodox)

Pogroms

1880 - 1890

Violent mob attacks on Jews. Many became refugees to avoid looting and battery.

Alexander II Assassination

03/03/1881

Slain by angered radicals as a result from the repression.

Result of Industrialization

1890 - 1900

While political and social problems arose, the government and higher class cheered for it. Nobles and peasants feared it: bringing a new lack of skills, lower pay, disease and discontent.

Revolution and Summon of Duma

1905

Strikes came in numbers as peasants revolted and demanded new land. Terrorists were common and were praised by the people. Nicholas was forced to deal with them, so he elected a national legislature, or Duma.

Bloody Sunday

1/22/1905

Orthodox-organized riot representing the strike of workers in St. Petersburg, towards the Winter Palace. It was peaceful, with religious icons in hand, but the Tsar felt threatened. The massacre of people there led to a distrust in the Tsar.

Peter Stolypin

1906

Nicholas' new prime minister, appointed to restore order. He regained the support of the people by strengthening the zemstvos, improving education, and creating modern land reforms. He was assassinated in 1911.

Russia's State

1914

Despite Stolypin's efforts, the peasants were still upset. Revolutions and continued, and discontent stayed. Russia was still under an all-powerful leader, but they were growing restless.