History of Russia (Till' Alexander II's rule") For over 330 years a single family, the Romanovs, has ruled Russia. The 850 square mile empire stretched across most of Eastern Europe. The area was comparable to North America. The independent ethnic groups consisted of Armenians, Balts, Finns, Jews, Germans, Poles, Ukrainians, and more. While Europe was undergoing great changes, Russia's development stagnated. The Mongols suppressed Russia and isolated the nation from foreign contact. The Mongols left by 1480, but …showed first 75 words of 499 total…

…showed last 75 words of 499 total…In 1855 Alexander II became czar of Russia, he knew he could not control the mass number of angry serfs. In 1861 he freed 20 million serfs and began a program of land reform. He also created new schools and hospitals, and eased censorship. His motives were born of necessity not humanity. The actions of Alexander II only agitated the serfs even more, and their long pent-up frustrations would be unleashed. Thus feeding the fires of the revolution.