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Conditions in Russia (obstacles, classes, facts)
- multinational
- great world power
- economically undeveloped
- majority of population = serfs
- absolute rule
- rigid social structure
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Russian Absolutism
- Czar refused to allow the Enlightenment and/or the French revolution to encourage his people
- Crushed any liberal opposition
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Reforms of Alexander II
- In 1861, all serfs were given freedom by Alexander II
- Industrialization began to take place in return
- Local gov'ts form
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Reactions to Alexander’s Reforms
- Russians were pissed about Alexander's reforms
- They still wanted more freedom
- Peasants wanted land; liberals wanted constitution
- Radicals turn to terrorism (assassination attempt)
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Czar’s reaction to Liberals/Peasants
- Obviously, he was upset about these reactions
- He increased power to put a stop to the growing opposition
- Persecutes Jews
- Increased secret police, censorship
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Industry Built
- As a result of emancipated serfs, industrialization took place
- Marxist ideas begin to surface
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Turning Point: Crisis/Bloody Sunday
- Opposers march to Czar's winter palace, demanding for change
- Being the pussy he was, the Czar fled in fear
- Protestors were killed, but trust was lost in the Czar
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Turning Point: Revolution
- The Czar 'promised' more freedom for the people
- A Russian legislature was created but never used (Duma)
- As a result of the continued discontent, Russia was on the brink of another revolution
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Where will Russia go?
I'm sure another Revolution is going to take place, followed by many more. I predict that most of them will be unsuccessful and only result in a very small amount of change. Today, Russia's still having quite a few issues, and I'm sure another revolution is going to be rising up shortly.
