1855 Context Flashcards
Russia in 1855
Empire
The Empire was made up of 21,000,000 km² and it had been acquired through military conquest and colonisation many different ethnic groups live within the Russian empire with their own culture language and religion.
Russia in 1855
Orthodox Church and tsar power
Tsar was the head of the Russian orthodox church and is regarded by orthodox believers as the embodiment of God. He owned the Russian Empire and Russians were taught to show devotion.
1855 Russia
Tsar and authority
The tsars Orders with the Lord of the land, he had advised and ministers but were all chosen by himself and no one could do anything without his approval. His main advisory body were the imperial government and council ministers.
1855 Russia
Civil servants
They made up the beuraucracy and were paid noble officials selected from a table of ranks that lay down the requirements for office. There were 14 ranks. Each rank had its own uniform form of address and status.
1855 Russia
Bureaucracy
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives. It was riddled by internal corruption and incompetence but through it, orders were passed downwards from the central government.
1855 Russia
Military
The tsar had the world’s largest army of 1.5 million conscripted surfs each forced into service for 25 years and made to live in a military colony. This absolved around 45% of the governments annual spending.
1855 Russia
Cossacks
The tsar also had the service of elite regiments of mounted Cossack with special social privileges. They acted as both a personal bodyguard to the tsar and as police reinforcements. they were known for their skills in horsemanship and their strong military tradition. They formed a special and prestigious army class and were provided and supplies by the government.
1855 Russia
Maintaining autocracy
To maintain autocracy the country developed a police state which prevented the freedom of speech the freedom of press and travel political meetings and strikes with forbidden censorship existed at every level.
1855 Russia
Secret state security network
It was ran by the third section of the emperors imperial government. Its agents kept a strict surveillance over the population and had unlimited powers to rest in prison or send into exile anyone suspected of anti tsarist behaviour.
1855 Russia
Economic situation
When Alexander ll came to the throne
Belgium Britain, France and the states were already well advanced industrially mills, factories, coal pits and quarries were transforming the landscape. However the Russian economy remained mostly rural.
1855 Russia
The economic situation
Reasons for rushes economic backwardness
The size and climate of Russia place of their strains on economic development Russia was Europe’s main export of agricultural produce but much of its potential remain untapped and communications between different parts of the empire were poor.
How did the empire put strain on the Russia empire
Much of its territory was inhospitable, the size and climate
Russias position within Europe as exporters during the mid 19th century
Russia was here its main exporter of agricultural produce and possessed fast reserves of timber gold and other metals during the mid 19th century. However much of its potential remains untapped and communications between different parts of the Empire was poor.
Economic situation
Surf-based economy
The lack of progress of Russia was its commitment to a surf based economy the tsarist government and the army all relied on surfs. Mini surfs were poor and most just about managed to survive on the produce they grew for themselves.
What are cottage industries
Work done in in the workers own home or a small workshop typically spinning, weaving and small scale wood and metal work. They provided only little cash that was needed for special purchases and taxes.
