Baseline Assessment Knowledge

Question 1

What percentage of the population of Russia did the Nobility make up?

Answer 1

Less than 1%

Question 2

Who gave the nobles their landed estates?

Answer 2

The Tsar

Question 3

What did the nobles have to do?

Answer 3

Perform military services, like being military officers or civil servants.

Question 4

Around what percentage of the Russian population in the mid-nineteenth century were peasants?

Answer 4

90%

Question 5

What is the Mir?

Answer 5

The peasant commune (which was exercised by the village commune) and also run by peasants themselves.

Question 6

What did the Mir provide for the peasants?

Answer 6

Security, support and it also ensured an equitable (fair and impartial) distribution of land.

Question 7

What is an Edict (ukaz in Russian)?

Answer 7

An official order issued by a person of authority (such as the Tsar)

Question 8

What are ‘cottage-industries’?

Answer 8

Work done in a worker’s home or small workshop, in order for them to make some money. This included weaving and small-scale metal work.

Question 9

What is the ‘intelligentsia’?

Answer 9

The more educated members of Russian society; this included writers and philosophers. Many opposed the State for different reasons, including political and moral ones.

Question 10

What was the Tsar’s title?

Answer 10

Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia

Question 11

Describe the Imperial Council

Answer 11

They were a group of 35-60 nobles who advised the Tsar and provided him with their ‘expert’ opinion.

Question 12

Around what percentage of the government’s annual spending did the large army and small Russian navy absorb?

Answer 12

45%

Question 13

What was the ratio of village to town dwellers in Russia?

Answer 13

11:1

Question 14

What was the ratio of village to town dwellers in Britain?

Answer 14

2:1

Question 15

What was a negative reason for the Russian economy relying on serfs?

Answer 15

It inhibited economic development as it limited the forces that drive change (including wage-earners and markets).

Question 16

What was the population of Russia in around 1855?

Answer 16

69 million

Question 17

What evidence is there that shows that Russia was a rigidly hierarchical society?

Answer 17

There were 14 different ranks of civil servants, who each had their own uniform and titles.

Question 18

Give some information about serfs

Answer 18

They had no rights as individuals (and they had no access to the legal system). They were bound to the estates of nobles - who acted as police, judge and jury - and could not leave without the land-owner’s permission.

Question 19

What was the ‘poll tax’ and when was it introduced?

Answer 19

The poll tax was a ‘tax on heads’ in Russia, and it was introduced in 1719, in order to cover the costs of Russia’s large army.

Question 20

Describe the Council of Ministers

Answer 20

They were a group of 8-14 nobles that were in charge of the different government departments.

Question 21

Describe the Senate

Answer 21

The Senate oversaw all the workings of the Russian government, but it was largely seen as ‘no longer useful’ by 1855.

Question 22

How large was the vast Empire of Russia in the 19th century?

Answer 22

It was around 21 million square kilometres in size; Russia was twice the Europe and 1/6 of the globe’s surface.

Question 23

What are Cossacks?

Answer 23

Cossacks came from Ukraine and Southern Russia and they were known for their skills in horsemanship.

Question 24

What is a ‘police state’

Answer 24

A state in which the activities of the people are closely monitored and controlled for political reasons (like in Nazi Germany)

Question 25

What did the police state prevent?

Answer 25

The freedom of speech, freedom of the press and travel abroad. It also increased censorship.

Question 26

Describe some problems created by Russia size and rough landscape

Answer 26

Communications were poor across this area, there were very few paved roads (except in the cities); the muddy roads became impassable in the winter.

Question 27

Describe the impact of the climate on Russia people

Answer 27

The climate has made agriculture difficult as Russia has experienced unpredictable rainfall patterns and droughts (which can ruin harvests).

Question 28

Describe the three-field rotation system

Answer 28

Crops were grown in two fields while one field was left fallow (bare) each year to recover –> In order to make harvests last and to keep the soil full of rich nutrients.

Question 29

What was mid-nineteenth century Russia Europe’s main exporter of?

Answer 29

Agricultural produce and Russia had vast reserves of timber, coal, oil, gold and other precious metals.

Question 30

What is the definition of autocracy?

Answer 30

A system of government in which there are no constraints on the power of the ruler.