Cracks in the Crown: Russia's Imperial Downfall

Imagine an empire stretching across two continents, a land of opulent palaces and glittering balls, ruled by an all-powerful Tsar. This was the Russian Empire. But beneath the surface of immense power and cultural brilliance, deep cracks were forming. For every Tolstoy writing a masterpiece, millions of serfs toiled in near-slavery. This article unpacks the historical context of the Russian Empire for your IB DP History studies, exploring:

• The rigid system of Tsarist autocracy.
• The profound social and economic challenges, from serfdom to industrialization.
• The rise of revolutionary ideas that would ultimately shatter the empire in 1917. Get ready to understand the paradox of a giant with feet of clay.