How the 19th-century Russian Empire navigated expansion, reform, and internal collapse
In short: This video traces the tumultuous reign of Nicholas I and his successor Alexander II, a period defined by military expansion, the abolition of serfdom, and the rise of radical movements that ultimately led to the assassination of the Tsar.
Following the 1825 Decembrist Revolt, Nicholas I solidified his rule through the doctrine of 'Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationality.' His reign saw military victories against Persia and the Ottoman Empire, alongside the suppression of Polish uprisings. However, the mid-century Crimean War exposed deep vulnerabilities, forcing a shift in policy under Alexander II. While Alexander II earned the title 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom in 1861, the reform failed to resolve systemic poverty and debt, fueling intense dissatisfaction.
The era was marked by 'The Great Game'—a geopolitical struggle with the British Empire for influence in Central Asia—and the 1867 sale of Alaska to America for $7.2 million. Despite cultural milestones like the publication of Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' in 1869, the political climate grew increasingly volatile. Radical groups, frustrated by the pace of change, escalated their efforts until the terrorist organization 'The People's Will' successfully assassinated Alexander II in 1881.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: History of Russia Part 4: 'What Is to Be Done?'
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