1. The nature of Autocratic + Tsarist rule Flashcards
What was the extent of Nicholas’s power within the Russian empire?
He had total power which was unconstrained by constitutional checks, meaning his power could not be limited by the law. It also meant that his subjects were not granted the right to free speech or a fair trial as these rights would limit the Tsar’s power.
Who assisted Nicholas in the running of the empire?
He had assistance from the cabinet, the Senate and the State Council, however they were purely advisory and had no power independent of Nicholas.
What were the consequences of autocracy on the government and on society?
. Corruption - Corruption was rife as government officials claimed to be representatives of the Tsar, and acted as if they had absolute power.
. Limited civil society - The gov outlawed trade unions and persecuted religious groups, therefore preventing the growth of a civil society.
. The Tsar’s isolation - Nicholas refused to recognise Russia’s problems and his advisors did not dare to contradict him, so Nicholas had little understanding of the poverty and corruption in his empire.
What was Russification and how did Nicholas impose it?
Russification was the aggressive promotion of Russian culture and the forceful suppression of other cultures. A growth of nationalism in areas of the empire such as Ukraine, Finland, Georgia and Poland meant that the Tsar’s began to enforce Russification. E.g He imposed Russian as the official language of the gov and the justice system in the Baltic states, he promoted Russian culture in primary schools and created Russian-language Universities such as the Lur’ev Uni in Estonia.
What were the consequences of Russification?
It lead to backlash among those who had previously been loyal to the Tsar, like the Finns, Armenians, and the people of the Baltic states. Nationalism in Poland and the Baltic states became a powerful anti-gov force which later fed into the 1905 revolution. Nationalism in Russia led to violence fuelled by anti-semitic, anti-Polish and anti-Finnish feelings.
What were the impacts of Russification in Finland?
In 1899, General Bobrikov abolished the Finnish legal system, parliament and their army, replacing it with Russian law. In 1903, the ‘Temporary regulations’ were implemented, giving the Okhrana wide-ranging powers which resulted in severe unrest. Bobrikov was assassinated in 1904 and the Finns played a significant part in the 1905 revolution.
