Russian Absolutism

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Russian Absolutism

• Russian Czar Nicholas II
• Judging the picture, what kind of goal or ideas
  might Czar Nicholas II focus on?

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Absolutism in Russia

• As Western Europe went through an industrial
  revolution, Russian czars refused to progress
  with change as they did not want to lose power.
• The czars wanted to continue with feudalistic
  society that had a small dominant wealthy class
  and a large serfdom class.
• Absolute rules such as Nicholas I put down
  officers that tried a revolt known as the
  Decembrists and threw people with revolutionary
  ideas into mental hospitals.
• Rulers rather please the upper class or nobles
  than give lower classes more rights.

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Alexander II

• Alexander II realized how behind Russia was after
  it was defeated in the Crimean Wars.
• Russia lacked railroads and an effective military
  and liberals demanded change.
• He granted emancipation in 1861 to all serfs, but
  were not able afford land.
• Set up zemstvos throughout Russia which were
  elected assemblies that repaired local schools,
  roads, and agriculture.

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Mini-Industrial Revolution

• Both leaders focused on economic development and
  built railroads that connected mines and
  factories together.
• Russia also created foreign capital by building
  the Trans-Siberian Railroad that connected
  Western Russia with the pacific side.
• Peasants migrated to the cities to work in the
  factories.
• Alexander II created a nationalistic pride as he
  required one language only, Russian, one church
  which was the Russian Orthodox Church.
• He also increased the persecution of Jews forcing
  them to leave and go to America.

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Revolutions

• Russia was able to catch up with the industrial
  technology, but a growing working class and
  absolutism would not mix well.
• Workers went on strike for shorter hours and
  better wages.
• The Bloody Sunday in January of 1905 set off a
  chain of events of more strikes and rebellions
  and Russians lost support for the Czar.

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Nicholas II Reforms

• Nicholas II was forced to make changes by
  granting freedom of speech and assembly.
• He agreed to a Duma, an elected legislature which
  had to approve all laws before being enforced.
• However, Nicholas II did not approve the Duma as
  they criticized government, and tried to use
  absolute force through a his own election of a
  prime minister.
• By 1914, Russia was still had an Absolute
  monarchy, but change was soon to come.