User talk:GoNeBaNaNeRz

Russia: Jan. 22, 1905. For centuries, a great gap existed in Russia between the wealthy few and the many poor. During the 1800's, economic and political progress narrowed the gap between rich and poor in Europe and improved living conditions for many workers. Compared with many of its European neighbors, Russia made little economic and political progress during the 1800's. The lack of progress angered many Russians of all classes. New political parties and labor unions arose. Worker strikes and other protests occurred frequently. The country was on the brink of revolution by the early 1900's.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, 1905, thousands of striking workers marched peacefully to the czar's Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The workers, led by Father Georgi Gapon, a Russian Orthodox priest, planned to ask Czar Nicholas II for reforms. Government troops opened fire on the marchers, who were unarmed, and killed or wounded hundreds.

This Bloody Sunday marked the beginning of Russia's Revolution of 1905. The violence permanently damaged the czar's reputation. As a result, Russia's revolutionaries gained enough strength to force the czar to make some government reforms. See Russia (The Revolution of 1905).