Autocracy Flashcards
Give the general definition of ‘autocracy’
A system of government in which one person has total power
What are the names of the three strands of Tsarist autocracy?
- Autocracy
- Orthodoxy
- Nationalism
Define the ‘Autocracy’ thread of Tsarist autocracy
(3 points)
- Willing and total submission of subjects
- System based on religious faith
- Not required to be accountable to the people in any form of constitutional government
Define the ‘Orthodoxy’ strand of Tsarist autocracy
(3 points)
- ‘Moral judge’ on behalf of God
- Duty to protect his subjects and control their behaviour for the good of the whole
- Supported by the Russian Orthodox Church
Define the ‘Nationalism’ strand of Tsarist autocracy
(4 (2x 2 connected) points)
- Russia’s vastnest made it a practical necessity:
- Competeing ethnic and national interests meant that any liberal democracy would lead to chaos
- Vast majority of peasants = illiterate:
- No ability to reason
Who came up with this definition of Tsarist autocracy and was its ideological advocate?
What else did he do?
Konstatin Pobedonostev
Tutored Alex III and Nic II
Describe how autocracy was similar across all three Tsars’ reigns
The significance of autocracy was continuously enforced through manifestos, speeches, and policies.
What was similar between the way Alex II enforced autocracy and Alex III?
(1 + other)
- Were both Reactionary to liberal terrorism
- II ended reform program after assassinaton attempt, III launched Russification program in first year as tsar
- UNAUTOCRATIC???? Both made educational reforms
- 1863 II allowed private schools, altered curriculum, inspectorate
- 1884 III made further adjustments to provision of education
What was similar between the way Alex II and Nic II enforced autocracy?
Both imposed reforms
- Alex II Great Emancipation Statute 1861
- Nic II October Manifesto and New Constitution 1905
What was similar between the way Alex III and Nic II emforced autocracy?
Repressive and reactionary
- Alex III Land Captians appointed to monitor and control behaviour of the peasants 1889
- Nic II Took Russia into WWI by signing general mobilisation order 1914
What made Alex II distinctive in his form of autocracy?
Used both reformist and reactionary forms of autocracy
- Decisive in both
- Unfortunately after making some concessions needed to make more - led to his assassination
What made Alex III distinctive in his form of autocracy?
Peace through conservatism
- Stuck to old, reactionary, slavophile methods of Tsarism
- Maintained order through repression
What made Nic II distinctive in his form of autocracy?
Tried and failed to do a mixture of both
- Unlike Alex II was not decisive in each
- Forced to make reformist concessions ‘from below’ - what Alex II had been trying to avoid by dictating Emancipation
- Unlike Alex III did not like to repress minorities - made him weaker, if nicer
Who was the most autocratic (ideologically speaking) of the Tsars we study?
- Alex III - ideologically most effective Tsar
- Alex II - not always repressive but was decisive
- Nic II - not decisive enough in reformist or reactionary - fall of Tsarist dynasty
