Background on Russia  during Chekhov’s time  Chekhov:  1860-1904

1.  Mid 1800’s

      Most were serfs (like slaves or tenants) of wealthy landowners

2.  1861

      Czar abolished serfdom

      But landowners still owned the land

3.  1880’s

      Karl Marx (German) banished to France and UK

Communism:  people, not government or rich landowners, should own the land

4.  Last Russian Czars – not very smart

      Czar Nicholas II (ruled during Chekov’s time)

            Superstitious

            Bad advisors

            Bad decisions

            Poor organization

- at crowning 1,000 were trampled to death by accident

5.  1890 Famine

– over half million dead of starvation

6.  Economic Depression

7.  TransSiberian Railroad

8.  Taxation increased

Money to protect borders and develop industry, but not agriculture so still starvation

9.  1900

      Lenin begins campaigning for change

10.  1904-5

      China and Japan encroaching on border

   War with Japan and lost – humiliation

      Chekov died

11.  1905  Bloody Sunday

      “God Save the Czar”  - open fire

12.  1918  Communists rioted and Czar and family killed

13.   Eventually Lenin  takes over as first communist leader