The Road to Revolution
n Alexander II's reforms
and economic change
encouraged minority
nationality demands in
the empire.
Cultural nationalism led
to political demands
and worried the state.
Social protest was
heightened by the
limitations of reform
and by industrialization.
Peasants suffered from famine, redemption payments,
taxes, and population pressure.
Educated Russians also were dissatisfied.
Business people and professionals sought more
personal freedom and fuller political rights.