Russia, 1861-1905

1. List the general goals of the:

a. socialists
The Socialists hoped to create a classless society that would end the exploitation and suffering of the peasants and workers. They wanted to dismantle the capitalists economic system by taking the "means of production" and turning them into state.
b. liberal reformers
Liberal reformers believed that they could put in place western constitutional practices and rule of law to solve Russia's problems.
2. List three characteristics of serfs' lives.
The serfs' lived in approximately 750,000 small villages dispersed throughout the russian empire. Most serfs farmed the land communally on open field strips, using the same techniques employed by previous generations. They also worked the land of the nobles or the state and paid rent to their landlords in the form of cash, produce, or labor.
3. List four reforms of Tsar Alexander II.
1. Tsar believed that the first step towards russia's modernization was the elimination of the system of serfdom.
2. Jury trials and relaxed censorship laws.
3. Local elected assemblies known as zemstvos
4. Also to increase industrial production

4. Why did the populists go "to the people" in 1873-1874?
their effort was motivated by the desire to establish personal connections with the downtrodden peasantry. Many of these were propagandists, convicted that they could persuade the simple folk to join the revolutionary cause. The movement to the people ended with the mass arrest of the young radicals.
5. List two consequences of the famine of 1891.
Hungry and discontented, the peasants became increasingly bitter. Many communities stages small-scae revolts and land seizures. Half a million peasants perished from famine and disease.
6. Why was Karl Marx important to Russian intellectuals?
Marx was a sharp critic of the capitalist economic system and the processes of industrialization. His ideas held great appeal because they explained the social work systematically. His ideas seemed to offer explanation for the causes of the famine. His "European" ideas could help russia become more like Europe.
7. What were the Goals and Methods of the following political groups in early twentieth century Russia? (see page 8 of the reading)

a. Liberal Democrats'
They supported evolving to a more western european system of government. They came largely rom the middle class. These liberals valued individual liberty and saw the role of the state as protecting the rights of citizens.

b. Socialist Revolutionaries
they worked to gather the support of workers and peasants for revolutionary socialist parties of early twentieth-century Russia were. These were the most radical party. "Land and Liberty" was their slogan.
c. Social Democrats
Supported Marxism. They believed that as russia industrailized and became more capitalistic, it was becoming more fertile ground for socialist activity focusing on the working class instead of the peasantry.

8. How did Bloody Sunday change people's attitudes toward the Tsar?
The centuries-old view o the tsar was a benevolent protector of the people was destroyed. People now thought the opposite and that he was very violent and they took their frustration out on the country.
9. List four reforms in Tsar Nicholas's October Manifesto
The reforms outlines in the manifesto included and expansion of civil liberties, a limited monarchy, a legislature elected by universal suffrage, and legalization of trade unions and political parties.