These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Announcements - Required reading: History of the Soviet Union (Kenez, Introduction) - Best way to communicate with professor is via email ([email protected]) - Office Hours – by appointment only A. Email professor to confirm office hours attendance Outline of Last Lecture I. Class Overview II. Nicholas II III. Lenin IV. Stalin V. WWII VI. Khrushchev VII. Brezhnev VIII. Gorbachev IX. End of the USSR X. Yeltsin XI. Putin XII. The Soviet Model Outline of Today’s Lecture I. Important Terms/Russian Background II. How do you Industrialize Late III. Russian Society IV. The Double Crisis V. The Crisis of 1905 VI. The Parties VII. Peasants and the Land VIII. The Workers 1910-14 IX. Summer of 1914 Important Terms - Tsar – Russia was ruled by a tsar A. Tsar translates as an emperor B. Absolute monarch C. The only group of people that supported the tsar was the nobility D. Russian monarch was more absolute than any other reigning monarch left on the throne E. Except for Russia all the other European countries had some kind of political modernization i. One extreme – Queen of England / King of England – figurehead History 127C Getty 2012 Fall Week 1 Lecture 2 October 2ii. Other extreme – Kaiser or Emperor of Germany – still had a lot of power but not total power - Nicholas II A. The last at the end of the 20th century B. He didn’t understand modern times; he didn’t understand the implications of industrialization C. He didn’t like any extent of reform D. He insisted on keeping all the power in his hands E. He grew up believing that his supreme duty to his ancestors, to God, to Russia, was to pass down to his son the same kind of absolute monarchy he was given - Romanov A. Nicholas II’s dynasty name was Romanov - Autocracy A. Nicholas II was an autocrat B. Autocracy means rule by one man C. All power concentrated in one person D. Despite this, Nicholas II had a few ministries and nobles to assist him and help him rule E. No legislature to contend with until 1905 F. No other branches of government to contend with - Duma A. Nicholas II allowed for the creation of the legislature (the duma) in 1905 B. It derived from the Russian word ‘to think’ C. A body that would advise Nicholas II; did not pass laws, only advised - St. Petersburg A. Capital of Russia B. Aka Petrograd, aka Leningrad C. Founded by Peter the Great D. Home of the tsar, ministries, nobles - Intelligentsia A. One of three Russian estates / classes B. The intellectual, the educated class C. Small, but vocal group D. Politically conscious group E. Russian intelligentsia formed in the end 1700s (later than in other places) when education begins to spread to the upper classes F. Had seen reform and progress in Europe and wanted to apply that to Russia G. Radical and critical of the government from the beginning H. Parts of the group were supportive of the government in earlier days I. Another reason for their discontent and radicalization was because political participation was limited to the nobility i. There weren’t many opportunities for the intelligentsia to participate in governments and politics - ProletariatA. A Marxist term B. One of the three Russian estates / classes C. Discontent with the government from the beginning D. The industrial working class E. Russia had industrialized relatively late i. England had its industrialization revolution starting in the 1780s ii. The government did not take a role in the industrialization like in most places iii. Russia doesn’t even start industrializing until the 1890s – a conscience policy of the government from the top down a. In England and in most places, the government does not take a role in the industrial revolution iv. In 1890, the tsar declared that industrialization would be good for national defense since other countries were industrializing/industrialized and had canons, machine guns, etc - Russian labor force A. Discontent with the government from the beginning B. Grew astronomically starting in the 1890s because peasants from the countryside couldn’t make a living and they flocked to the cities to work in the new factories C. Not a significant portion of the population even by 1914 D. The Russian workers had the longest hours and lowest wages in all of Europe enforced by their government E. The Russian government had enforced polices that made and kept their citizens miserable even though they were supposed to protect them against the foreigners F. Until 1905, labor unions were illegal G. The Russian labor movement from the very inception was radical, which made it different from other labor movements elsewhere in Europe and in the US H. Unions in the West wanted reform (better wages, benefits, shorter hours, etc) I. The Russian labor unions skipped the reform phase and became radical; from the beginning they believed in overthrowing the government to improve the life of the workers; they regarded the government as the enemy; aimed for dramatic, radical change - Peasants A. One of the three Russian estates / classes B. 80-85% of the population in the 20th century C. Vast majority was illiterate, poor and did not surpass the age of 45 D. Modernization, education, and/or new agricultural methods did not penetrate the Russian countryside E. Discontent with the government for thousands of years F. Risk averse – peasants don’t want to take any risks because they are always on the razor edge of famine, hunger etc  Russian agricultural technique remains backward, technology does not get introducedG. Centuries prior to Marx and socialism – no private property, enforced equality, constant redistribution of resources - Mir A. Russian word that can translate to: the universe, peace, or most colloquially ‘the village commune’ where most villagers lived B. Communal collective living i. For many centuries, a peasant village was organized as a commune (a set of families who all lived in the same village) ii. Agricultural collaboration (planting, harvest, etc) iii. Regulated social life in the village iv. High risk environment - Not a hospitable place to live; unpredictable weather; the soil was not ideal v. Peasants cooperated to deal with the environmental