Chapter 1- The Russian Autocracy In 1855

Question 1

How much of the earth’s surface did the Russian empire cover?

Answer 1

1/6

Question 2

How did the people of Russia refer to the Tsar?

Answer 2

‘Our little father’

Question 3

Why was the Russian Orthodox Church subject to tsarist control?

Answer 3

The tsar appointed the Over-Procurator of the Holy Synod

Question 4

Who were the Tsar’s main advisory body?

Answer 4

Members of the Imperial Council (these were always nobles)

Question 5

Who made the most significant decisions?

Answer 5

Central government

Question 6

Which social group made up the majority of the population?

Answer 6

Conscripted serfs

Question 7

How did serfs contribute to the military?

Answer 7

They were conscripted to the army for 25 years and had to live in military colonies.

Question 8

Due to serfs, what made the Russian army special?

Answer 8

It was the largest in the world

Question 9

What percentage of government expenditure went towards the army?

Answer 9

45%

Question 10

Who acted as personal bodyguards to the Tsar / police reinforcements?

Answer 10

Cossacks

Question 11

How were Cossacks different from serfs?

Answer 11

They were armed by the government and rode trained horses

As a result they held a higher military rank and had social privileges

Question 12

How was Russia governed?

Answer 12

As a police state.

Question 13

How was the police state maintained?

Answer 13

The Third Section
Censorship
Banning political freedom

Question 14

When did Tsar Nicholas I rule?

Answer 14

1825-1855

Question 15

Why did Nicholas I choose repression over liberation?

Answer 15

There had been a military uprising against him becoming Tsar

Question 16

How did Russia compare to Western countries?

Answer 16

It was very backward
Economy remained rural
Most of the population lived in the countryside

Question 17

How was Russia useful to Europe?

Answer 17

Large reserve of precious metals

Main exporter of agricultural goods

Question 18

Why was Russia backward?

Answer 18

Rural economy
Reliance on serfdom-- lack of middle class and working class
Poor communication throughout the country due to its size and lack of technology

Question 19

What did Russia have instead of factories?

Answer 19

Cottage industry

Question 20

Who established the rules that serfs followed?

Answer 20

The Mir

Question 21

How did most people live?

Answer 21

Self-sufficiently

Question 22

How were most payments made?

Answer 22

‘In kind’ - through the exchange of goods or services rather than physical money

Question 23

What problems did serfdom cause?

Answer 23

Little reason for landowners to save money to invest
Many serfs starved as they were poor
Economy was weak
Lack of classes (social polarisation)

Question 24

Which people formed what was a barely existent entrepreneurial class?

Answer 24

Merchants

Urban artisans

Question 25

Who were part of the intelligentsia?

Answer 25

Members of educated nobility (doctors, teachers, etc)

Question 26

What does ‘class’ refer to?

Answer 26

Status /birth / land / service

RATHER THAN WEALTH

Question 27

What prevented social mobility?

Answer 27

Serfdom

Legal barriers- serfs were bound to their owners

Question 28

How was the Russian army funded?

Answer 28

Poll tax, paid by everyone except merchants

Question 29

What made up 30% of government funds?

Answer 29

Indirect tax (tax on goods such as salt and vodka)

Question 30

How did Russia get involved in the Crimean war?

Answer 30

It decided to invade while the Ottoman Empire was vulnerable
(The sultan of turkey struggled to control the Christians)

Question 31

What was the advantage of Russia’s army?

Answer 31

It was large

Question 32

What were the disadvantages of Russia’s army?

Answer 32

It did not have modern technology and lacked modern designs of Western ships
Lack of leadership and determination (most soldiers were serfs)
Poor transport (equipment could not get to the frontline fast enough)

Question 33

What were the impacts of the Crimean war?

Answer 33

Russia was humiliated and realised it was not a great power
The empire’s weaknesses were revealed
Population became aware that western ideas were key / modernisation needed to occur
Russia couldn’t use the Black Sea during peacetime
Peasant uprisings increased

Question 34

Who has ultimate control over the Russian empire?

Answer 34

The Tsar