1)CH1: (TRA) Poltical Context Flashcards
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Name these 4 sections.
1) The Tsar
2) The Church
3) Advisers and Ministers
4) The bureaucracy
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the Tsar’s role.
The Tsar stood at the head of the autocratic Russian empire.
According to the ‘COLLECTED LAWS OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE’ compiled by TSAR NICHOLAS I (1832), “The Emperor of all the Russias is an autocratic and unlimited monarch;God himself ordains that all must bow to your supreme power, not only out of fear but also out of conscience’
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the positive aspects of the Tsars political authority?
1) The Tsar could introduce dramatic shifts in policy w/out popular approval/ content
2) The tsar was seen above the law so all his representatives could operate outside of the law too.
3) The Orthodox Church of Russia helped to legitimise the Russian autocracy and added a spiritual dimension to the people’s love for the Tsar.
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the negative aspects of the Tsars political authority?
1) Governing was complex and tiresome for Tsars because there was no coordinating induction other than the Tsar.
T4=local government and institutions were disconnected and inefficient.
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the CHURCH’s role.
1)The Church and State were closely entwined and the Church helped to legitimise the Tsarist regime
and add a spiritual domination to the ppls love for the Tsar.
2) Helped integrate new populations into society by trying to convert people to Orthodoxy.
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the Advisers and ministers role.
- Chosen by the Tsar himself
- The nobility kept order on their estates and sometimes served as provincial governors or served in special committees appointed by the Tsar.
Russian government (1855) was divided into 4 main sections: Explain the bureaucracy role.
- Civil servants who were paid by noble officials.
- each held a rank
- Through this bureaucracy orders were passed down from central government to the provinces and in turn to districts and towns.
- riddled w/ incompetence and corruption.
What was the army like in Russia (1855)
- It’s included around 1.5 million conscripted serfs (all forced into service for 25 years)
- the military absorbed around 45% of the gov annual expenditure.
- used to fight wars/put down internal disturbances
- the higher ranks: were prestigious posts for nobles :
- for the lower ranks : army life was hard
- ELITE REGIMENTS OF MOUNTED COSSACKS (with special social privileges acted both as a personal bodyguard to the Tsar and police reinforcements)
How was Russia a police state (1855)?
-Russia had developed into a police state
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of press = prevented
- Travel abroad
- Political meetings
- Strikes = forbidden
- Censorship was enforced
- The secret state security network was:
run by the third section of the emperors Imperial Council
It’s agents had unlimited powers to carry out raids arrests and ensure the imprisonment or exile of anyone suspected of anti-Tsarist behaviour.
Political developments in Russia? (1855)
By the 19th century liberal ideas where spreading from the west and many Russian intellectual were arguing for a civil society based on the rule of law.
However, the Tsar Nicholas I (reigned 1825-1855) had followed a path of repression.
He sought to maintain autocracy and to distance Russia from the west. His reign culminated in military defeat in the Crimea, Which finally brought the need for change to the new Tsar’s attention.
