Polish Revolt 1863-64

• Poland had fallen under the power of the Tsars in 1815.
• Poland did not become a full part of the Russian Empire but instead had nominal independence even though the Tsar was King of Poland.
• In 1831, the Poles rebelled against Nicholas I but the revolt failed and the Tsar restricted Polish freedom.
• When Alexander II became Tsar in 1855, he made conciliatory gestures towards the Poles.
• However, the Polish ambition for independence was strong.
• In response to nationalist demonstrations in Warsaw in 1861, Alexander II introduced further reforms such as opening a new university in the Polish capital.
• Polish nationalism continued to grow and by January 1863, there was an armed rebellion.
• The rebellion took over a year to suppress.
• Alexander II was disillusioned that his attempt at reform and conciliation towards the Poles had been met with such retaliation and hostility.