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Soviet Union [USSR] THE LAST YEARS OF TSARDOM
The Russo-Japanese War was a turning point in Russian history.
It led to a popular uprising against the government that forced the
regime to respond with domestic economic and political reforms.
Advocates of counterreform and groups serving parochial interests,
however, actively sought control of the regime's policies. In
foreign affairs, Russia again became an intrusive participant in
Balkan affairs and in the international political intrigues of
major European powers. As a consequence of its foreign policies,
Russia was drawn into a world war that its domestic policies
rendered it poorly prepared to wage. The regime, severely weakened
by internal turmoil and a lack of strong leadership, was ultimately
unable to surmount the traumatic events that would lead to the fall
of tsarism and initiate a new era in Russian and world history.
Data as of May 1989
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