Russia - 1855 - 1917 - Key facts, dates and individuals

Tsarist Russia ­ Key dates, individuals, events and
statistics

Alexander II (Tsar Liberator) ­ 1855 ­ 1881

Out of the 60 million people in Russia, 50 million were peasant serfs (half of
these were privately owned by the gentry and the other half by the State)
Russian population in 1855…

People's Will ­ believed in political terror and focused their attention on the
assassination of the tsar unsuccessful attempts in April and Nov. 1879 and
Feb. 1880. They succeeded in March 1881.
LorisMelikov Plan ­ the Minister for International Affairs recommended that
the tsar should call a national assembly, which…

Political ­ increased censorship and introduced the 1890 Zemstva act, which
changed electoral laws and decreased peasant representation.
Education ­ higher courses for women restricted (1882) and then closed
(1886)
The 1884 University Statute established controls over universities and
1887 increased uni. Fees to exclude all but the wealthy.
Judiciary…

Father Gapon led a peaceful march of workers to the Winter Palace in St.
Petersburg to present a petition to the tsar. Troops fired upon the crowd of
20,000 men, women and children ­ officially there were 600 killed/wounded but
journalists have put the figure at 4600.
1905 Revolution ­…

Members of the Duma assumed control of Russia, forming the Provisional
Govt ­ Prince Lvov was the first leader, followed by Kerensky
The National network of Soviets had the allegiance of the lowerclass
citizens so a period of dual power ensued. They initially worked well together
but the soviets had…