Russia before Tsar

• Tsar Alexander II reformed Russia from 1856-1881
• Peasants were serfs who worked for the Tsar and nobility, had limited rights, and were freed by the Edict of Emancipation in 1861
• Economic developments included population growth, inefficient farming, and shortages in towns
• In July 1914, Russia went to war, revealing the lack of control the Tsar had over his people.
• By 1912, there were stories about his inappropriate behavior with the ladies of the court.
• Local government reforms included the establishment of mirs, zemstvos, and provincial zemstvos
• Liberals wanted more democracy in Russia and were discontented with the partial democracy provided by the reforms
• Other liberal reforms included relaxed censorship and increased freedom of the press
• Social Revolutionary Party (SRP) founded to lead peasants to revolution
• Witte played a major role in industrializing Russia
• Russia industrialized with foreign participation
• SRP carried out terror attacks on officials
• 14 newspapers critical of government closed
• Children taught to be obedient to the government
• Land Captains given powers over all other officials
• Subject Races forced to use Russian language and customs
• Children of peasants and working classes denied secondary education
• Peasants and industrial workers suffered from poor conditions and low pay
• Primary schools now controlled by Church
• Attacks on the Jews intensified
• Influence of Rasputin: The monk Rasputin became a strong influence on the royal family, particularly in relation to their son's health.
• Assassination of Stolypin (1911): Stolypin was assassinated in the presence of the Tsar in a Kiev theatre.
• October Manifesto 1905: Tsar promised reforms including the creation of a Duma (parliament) and making no laws without Duma approval.
• 3rd & 4th Dumas (1907-1914): Electoral laws were changed to exclude Social Democrats, and potential trouble-makers were imprisoned.
• 1st Duma (1906): Kadets (Liberals) won the most seats and demanded full control of taxes, but the Duma was dismissed and fresh elections were called.
• Stolypin and 2nd Duma (June 1907): Peter Stolypin became Prime Minister and implemented conservative reforms, but the Duma became more radical and was eventually dismissed.
• Stolypin's Reforms: The mir (communal land system) was abolished, peasants could own their own land, and peasant banks helped them buy land.
• The majority (Bolsheviks) agreed with Lenin, while the minority (Mensheviks) agreed with Trotsky
• The Russo-Japanese War took place from 1904-1905 and was a disaster for Russia
• There were strikes, mutinies, and protests throughout the country
• Bloody Sunday occurred on January 22, 1905, resulting in many deaths and injuries
• Lenin and other exiles published a newspaper called Iskra
• Tsar Nicholas II promised to adhere to the principles of autocracy
• Plehve became Minister of the Interior in 1902 and implemented policies against various groups
• The Liberals, also known as the Cadets, wanted a British-style parliament
• Lenin was forced to live abroad
• Lenin was exiled to Siberia from 1897-1900
• The Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) was formed in 1898 and had support from industrial workers
• Lenin was put in prison again in 1897
• Lenin's brother Alexander Ulyanov was executed