1.Russian autocracy in 1855 Flashcards
political context: how can the Russian empire be described in 1855
autocratic
political context: Who was the head of the empire
tsar
political context: what title did the tsar take
‘emperor and autocrat of all russia’
political context: who was at the head of the Russian orthodox church in name only
the tsar
political context: what was the tsar believed to be by orthodox believers
The embodiment of god on earth
political context: what were Russians taught to show to the tsar
devotion and accept their conditions on earth as the will of god
political context: what did the patriarch of Moscow provide for the tsar
spiritual guidance
political context: what was the procurator of the holy synod
gov minister appointed by tsar to run church affairs
political context: why were the structures of the church and state intertwined
those at the head of the church hierarchy were subject to tsarist control over appointments, religious education, church finance
political context: what is an edict
an official order issued by a person/authority
political context: how much involvement did the tsar have in making edicts
he had advisers and ministers but they were all chosen by the tsar himself and no one could do anything without tsars approval
political context: who were the tsars main advisory bodies
The imperial council/chancellery
The council of ministers
The senate
political context: The imperial council
body of 35-60 nobles picked my tsar himself to advise him personally and provide their ‘expert’ opinion
political context: council of ministers
Body of 8-14 ministers in charge of different government departments
political context: The senate
Supposed to oversee all the workings of the gov
We’re largely redundant by 1855
political context: Where were the tsar and central gov based
in the imperial capital of St Petersburg
political context: who did the regime also depend on and why
The provincial nobility for support
political context: provincial definition
Living away from the capital
political context: Since when had nobles not been obliged to serve the state
since 1785
political context: how can nobles loyalty to tsar be described
sense of obligation remained strong and all landowners expected to keep order on their estates
political context: Civil servants
Paid noble officials selected from a table of ranks that laid down the requirements for office
political context: How many levels were there in the table of ranks
14
political context: What did each level in the table of ranks have
It’s own uniform, form of address and status
political context: What was the bureaucracy riddled by
Internal corruption and incompetence
political context: What was operation in the bureaucracy
One way with no provision for suggestion
political context: How big was the tsars army
1.5 million- worlds largest
political context: Who were the tsars army made up of
Conscripted serfs- each forced into service for 25 years
political context: Where were the conscripted serfs made to live
In a military colony
political context: How much of the governments spending was absorbed by army and navy
45%
political context: Cossacks
Service of elite regiments belonging to tsar with special social privileges
political context: What did the Cossacks act as
Personal bodyguard for tsar and police reinforcements