Submitted by: Submitted by sddennis04
Views: 375
Words: 1374
Pages: 6
Category: World History
Date Submitted: 02/13/2013 01:08 PM
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...