Modernism in 19th Century Russia

During the beginning of the 19th Century, Russia began to fall drastically behind the rest

of the European nations that were rapidly industrializing. The industrial, militaristic, and social

differences were apparent, setting Russia full centuries behind their neighboring European

countries. Although centuries before, Peter the Great had previously tried to westernize Russia,

its true integration into modern European society really began in the mid to late 19th century.

After a loss in the Crimean War, Russia began to make the necessary changes to modernize its

society. Political, militaristic, social, and industrial changes were put into place to help propel the

nation forward. Although the Russian nation did initially make the right steps toward

modernization, political radicalism and obvious cultural setbacks further prevented Russia from

fully “modernizing,” until the late 20th century.

Structurally speaking, Russia began making changes since the beginning of the century

with the Congress of Vienna. Tsar Alexander I helped delegate the meeting, and it resulted in the

addition of Poland and Finland into Russian territory. Unfortunately for the monarchy, there was

much civil unrest in the Russian nation, beginning with the Decembrist Revolt of 1825. The

Russian Tsars had unlimited power, and many Russian people did not agree with many of their

choices. In the case of the Decembrist Revolt, the Russian people were upset when Nicholas I

assumed the throne after Constantine stepped down; due to the course of action, the Russian

army led about 3,000 soldiers in protest. Once again, in a display of sheer power, the monarch

Nicholas I literally put the revolt to rest by firing against the protestors. The Decembrist Revolt

of 1825 was just one example of the civil unrest that would later shape the policies of Russia. A

more positive instance of political reform was the Emancipation Reform of 1861, put into place

by Alexander II. Although there were...