T1: Russia 1917-1939

Russia in 1900: Difficult communications, much land permafrost so unusable for farming

Major nationalities in Russia in 1997: Contained 150 million people. Only 56% were Russian. In the 19th century, Russification was introduced, which forced non-Russians to speak Russian and wear Russian clothes

The structure of the Tsarist state: It was an autocracy, The civil service was vast and inefficient. Extensive use was made of the Okhrana (secret police). There was no access to government for most citizens. There was widespread censorship. Protests and riots were suppressed with violence

Nicholas II: Devoted to his family and heavily influenced by his wife, Alexandra. Believed opposition should be met with violence. Had little grasp of what life was…