_STUDY GUIDE - Imperial Russia and the Russian Revolution

Feudalism in Medieval Europe

  • Dominant social system in medieval Europe.

  • Nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service.

  • Vassals were tenants of the nobles.

  • Peasants (villeins or serfs):

    • Obliged to live on their lord's land.

    • Gave homage, labor, and a share of the produce in exchange for military protection.

Imperial Russia

Russian Culture

  • Filled with violence.

  • The Rus (800-900 CE):

    • Vikings moved south on rivers, called the "Rus" due to Scandinavian and Slavic mix.

    • Civilization centered in Kiev.

  • Rise and Fall of Kievan Rus:

    • Vladimir the Great introduced Christianity.

    • Yaroslav the Wise established a legal code and divided kingdom among sons.

    • Decline of Kiev due to unclear heirs leading to civil war.

  • 1242: The Golden Horde:

    • Mongols invaded and sacked Kiev.

    • Local princes became tax collectors, with Moscow princes rising in power.

Feudalism in Russia

  • System of exchange based on favors/loyalties.

  • Tsars and noble classes (Boyars) at the top of the feudal pyramid.

  • Relationship between nobles and serfs:

    • Serfs worked nobles' lands in exchange for shelter.

  • Key Terms:

    • Czar: Monarch of Russia.

    • Serf: Peasants tied to the land, similar to slavery.

    • Boyar: Noble class in Russia.

    • Divine Right: Belief of ruling authority from God.

    • Autocracy: One person holds absolute power.

    • Absolute Monarchy: One person has all power.

Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV)

Early Life

  • Became Tsar at 3, suffered abuse from Boyars.

  • Took power at 16, pushing aside Boyars.

Reign Highlights

  • 1564: Abdicated, citing corruption of clergy and boyars.

  • Expanded borders by conquering Kazan and Astrakhan.

  • Used terror as political tool:

    • Oprichnina: State policy for executions, torture, and oppression.

    • Created Oprichnik for enforcing orders.

  • Time of Troubles: Killed his son, leading to a weak rule by his remaining son, Fyodor.

Romanov Dynasty

  • Boyars elected Michael Romanov as Tsar, beginning a long ruling dynasty until 1917.

  • Michael was seen as easy to control; Boyars gained control over serfs.

  • Oprichnik: Secret police under Ivan IV.

Peter the Great

Reign Aspects

  • Modernization:

    • Modernized technology and military.

    • Moved away from traditional Russian practices.

  • Westernization:

    • Prohibited beards, emphasized modern science and military tactics.

  • Expansion:

    • Captured warm water port through the Great Northern War with Sweden, leading to St. Petersburg.

  • Absolutism:

    • Expanded the power of Tsar and limited opposition.

Catherine the Great

Reign Highlights

  • Increased control over landowning boyars, which benefitted them and oppressed serfs.

  • Expansion:

    • Expanded territories into Crimea, Black Sea, and Poland.

  • Westernization:

    • Patron of Western philosophies and the arts; created The Hermitage art gallery.

    • Established idyllic peasant villages known as Potemkin villages.

  • Enlightenment Influence:

    • Supported arts and education; public health initiatives.

    • Suffered backlash from the Pugachev Rebellion (1773-1775).

Alexander I

Aspects of His Reign

  • Defeated Napoleon with scorched earth tactics; welcomed as a hero post-war.

Nicholas I

Key Events

  • Decembrist Revolt: Soldiers attempted to put Constantine in power; revolt was crushed, leading to harsh punishments.

  • Reforms:

    • Expanded military but faced failures like the Crimean War.

    • Maintained strict rule and anti-Western policies.

Alexander II

Key Reforms

  • Known as “The Liberator” for the Emancipation Reform of 1861, abolishing serfdom.

  • Judicial reforms including the new penal code and jury system.

  • Introduced Zemstvo, a form of local self-government.

  • Survived several assassination attempts; was ultimately assassinated in 1881.

Alexander III

Reign Overview

  • Known as a counter-reformer, undoing many of his father’s reforms.

  • Implemented policies of Russification and pogroms against Jews.

Nicholas II

Key Events

  • Poorly prepared for the throne; believed in divine right, leading to disconnect with realities of the time.

  • Bloody Sunday (1905):

    • Peaceful protest resulted in troops firing on the crowd.

  • Resulted in the creation of the Duma and a shift to constitutional monarchy.

  • Struggled with WWI pressures leading to abdication and the eventual Bolshevik Revolution.

The Bolshevik Revolution

Causes

  • Harsh Tsarist rule and economic hardship fueled revolts.

  • Military failures and discontent from failed reforms.

Outcomes

  • End of the Romanov dynasty; rise of communism and civil war ensued.

  • Major social changes including land redistribution and the establishment of USSR.

Civil War in Russia

Causes

  • Bolsheviks’ desire for a communist state opposed by many.

  • Support from Allied powers to anti-Bolshevik forces.

Effects

  • Bolshevik control established over Russia.

  • Political repression and authoritarian rule initiated.

Contemporary Issues

  • The Russo-Ukrainian conflict stemmed from NATO tensions and historical claims.

  • US and NATO view Russia's actions as a threat to European democracy and security.

World War I

Impact on Russia:

  • Russia faced heavy defeats, leading to growing unrest and dissatisfaction with the Tsarist regime.

  • The strain of the war exacerbated food shortages and economic instability.

  • The discontent among soldiers and civilians increased, culminating in widespread protests.

  • Soldiers mutinied and refused to fight further, leading to a collapse of military morale.

Consequences:

  • The February Revolution in 1917 led to the abdication of Nicholas II.

  • Marks the end of the Romanov dynasty and the beginning of a provisional government.