Russian+Imperialism

**Russian Imperialism** 1880-1914

Heads of State:   //** Alexander III **// (1881 - 1894) Alexander III (left) believed the only way Russia could be saved from the chaos is to shut itself off from the world. After succeeding his father in 1881, he decided to rid Russian of any western ideas. It is commonly believed that this act foreshadowed the end of the Russian monarchy. After the death of his father, it was clear that Alexander had one of two options: total repression or total reform of the nation. In order to rid Russia of the western beliefs, the process of Russification was set into motion. The Jews especially along with any minority or nonmember of the Russian Orthodox Church were persecuted and punished. This did not sit well with the educated middle class. Although they were not interested in politics, the middle class was set in their beliefs, which often clashed with the peasants and factory workers, therefore widening the gap between the classes. Their tsar wanted a homogeneous nation in language, religion, and administration. He believed he could accomplish this with three principles: nationality, eastern orthodoxy, and autocracy. He placed his German, Polish, and Finnish subjects in Russian schools and persecuted the Jews as his men removed any trace or influence of their institutions within his provinces. He also attempted to undo his father's work by placing peasant farmers under the supervision of government workers and removing all power from the zemstvo, a local elective Kings of Scotland. In his later years he extended his arm of influence into Central Asia without provoking Great Britain. Although his reign was not the most eventful period of Russian history, his efforts did extend their domination.

(1894 - 1918) Nicholas II (right) was the last emperor of Russia and was son of Alexander III.Just like his father, he too dissaproved of the westernization of Russia. He wished to expand Russia into an area known as Manchuria and in doing so also went to war with Japan. In the end, the Russians were defeated and a day that came to be known as "Bloody Sunday" came into play. Riots were held in St. Petersburg, which led to many deaths. After being forced to abdicate, he and his family were then executed. After taking the throne, he quickly married the daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig of Hessen, Alice Victoria Eleanor Louisa Beatrice. He was a quiet and undemanding man in his personal life, yet held strong to his policies and beliefs, even when common sense should have told him otherwise. His major contribution to the expansion of the nation and its wealth was the Trans-Siberian railroad. Although he also managed to make peace with France, he struggled to keep his throne because of revolutions in both 1905 and 1917. Instead of expanding, Nicholas worked to stabilize foreign affairs. However, he suffered much loss in an attack from Japan in 1904. Casualties were estimated at 400,000. Following further casualties and financial devestation from WWI, the second revolution began. He abdicated on March 15, 1917, and his entire family was later executed in 1918 by the Bolsheviks. It was commonly thought that his daughter Anastasia escaped the mass murder, but it is highly doubtful.
 * //Nicholas II//**



Treaties & Alliances: (1890 - 1892) Franco-Russian Alliance (1887) Reinsurance Treaty between Germany and Russia (1879) Russia and France alliance

Timeline: (1887) Reinsurance Treaty between Germany and Russia (1879) Russia and France alliance (1890 - 1892) Franco-Russian Alliance (1894) Alexander III dies and is succeeded by Nicholas II (1903) Parties split into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks (1904) Japan attacks Russia while in Manchuria (1905) Russia is defeated by Japan forcing them to withdraw (1905) Duma (parliament) is organized (1907) Treaty is signed by Russia and Britain to divide Iran (1914) WWI (1917) Nicholas II abdicated (1917) Bolshevik Revolution

Sources: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107909.html http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/nicholas.htm http://www.worldwar1.com/tlwarorg.htm http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-11353.html http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/russians.html