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In 1881, Alexander III succeeded his father, Alexander II, and halted all reforms in Russia. Like his grandfather Nicholas I, Alexander III clung to the principles of autocracy, a form of government in which he had total power.
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Nicholas II became czar in 1894, he contin- ued the tradition of Russian autocracy. Unfortunately, it blinded him to the changing conditions of his times.
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In 1903, Russian Marxists split into two groups over revolutionary tactics. The more moderate Mensheviks (MEHN•shuh•vihks) wanted a broad base of popular support for the revolution.
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Bloody Sunday: The Revolution of1905 On January 22, 1905, about200,000 workers and their familiesapproached the czar’s Winter Palacein St. Petersburg. They carried apetition asking for better workingconditions, more personal freedom,and an elected national legislature.
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In October 1905, Nicholas reluctantly promised more freedom. He approved the creation of the Duma (DOO•muh)—Russia’s first parliament.
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The first Duma met in May 1906. Its leaders were moderates who wanted Russia to become a constitu- tional monarchy similar to Britain. But because he was hesitant to share his power, the czar dissolved the Duma after ten weeks.
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Nicholas II made the fateful decision to drag Russia into World War I. Russia was unprepared to handle the military and economic costs.
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holy man. nobles murdered Rasputin
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women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike. In the next five days, riots flared up over shortages of bread and fuel. Nearly 200,000 workers swarmed the streets shouting, “Down with the autocracy!” and “Down with the war!” At first the soldiers obeyed orders to shoot the rioters but later sided with them.
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without warning, armed factory workers stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd. Calling themselves
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Russia and Germanysigned the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Russiasurrendered a large part of its territory toGermany and its allies.
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civil war raged in Russia. Several Western nations, in- cluding the United States, sent military aid and forces to Russia to help the White Army. However, they were of little help.
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Lenin temporarily put aside his plan for a state-controlled economy.
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