Russia 1 Flashcards
what is a serf?
someone who is forced to work on a plot of land
what is the definition of autocracy?
a state of society governed by one person With complete power
what changes did Alexander II introduce?
stripped Russia of serfdom (emancipation act), introduced trial by jury and relaxed censorship
what policy involved the targeted discrimination of Jews in Russia?
Russification
what did Nicholas II’s interest in Asia lead to? (2)
the construction of the trans-siberian railway, the Russo-Japanese war
what year was Nicholas and his family executed?
1918
what was Vladimir Lenin the founder and leader of? (2)
founder of the Russian communist party, leader of the Russian revolution in 1917
what are redemption payments?
peasants, with government loans, had to redeem their land allotments from the landlords and make ‘redemption payments’ for the next 49 years with an interest rate of 6%
what is a mir?
a collective organisation of peasant villages that solve land, justice and taxes
who were the tsar’s main advisory bodies? (1855)
imperial council or chancellory, the council of ministers and the senate
what is a bureaucracy?
a system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives
how many ranks were there and what did each of them have? (1855)
14 and each had their own uniform, form of address and status
how was the bureaucracy corrupted?
consisted of paid noble officials
how many soldiers were in the Russian army? (1855)
1.5 million conscripted serfs
who were the cossacks?
from Ukraine and Southern Russia and known for their skills in horsemanship and strong military tradition. they formed a special military class serving the tsar.
what did the police state mean for Russians? (1855)
it prevented freedom of speech, freedom of press and travel abroad
what was the police state run by?
the ‘third section’ of the emperors imperial council
what did the police state agents have the ability to do?
carry out raids, arrest and imprison or exile anyone suspected of anti-tsarist behaviour.
what year was the emancipation edict?
1861
what were Alexander II’s reasons for the emancipation edict? (3)
increasing feelings of hostility and several instances of insubordination between landlords and peasants, he claimed it was far better from above rather than below, humiliation during the crimean war so they needed weapons making
in what 3 ways did serfs remain unfree after 1861?
originally only applied to privately owned serfs, ‘redemption payments’ and ‘temporary obligation’
what 4 problems remained for Russian peasants after emancipation?
most were extremely poor, amount of land reduced in size over time due to inheritance, unable to adopt modern farming methods, only around 50% produced surplus so couldnt afford redemption payments
in what 2 ways did emancipation impact on noble landowners?
disappointment at losing power and influence and many noble landowners could not escape economic problems- (bankruptcy, selling or mortgaging)
what is the name of Russia’s vast eastern region in Asia?
Siberia
what were the 3 reasons for Russia’s lack of industrial advancements in 1855?
most of Russia’s territory was inhospitable, Russia wasn’t utilizing its full potential in trade and communications between different parts of the empire was poor, they had a serf-based economy
3 strengths and 2 weaknesses of the military reforms between 1874-75
s= more efficient + less expensive ; medical care, provisions and weaponry improved ; education campaigns.
w= officers were still mostly made up of nobles; the army still suffered humiliating defeats (Japan + ww1)
what was a Zemstvo?
land council
what was a Duma?
local city/ town council
what were the Zemstvos and Dumas able to do?
improve public services, roads, schools and public health
what reforms occurred associated with education during 1863-4 created by Alexander II?
gave universities the power to govern themselves. schools were now open to all.
what were the weakening aspects of Alexander II’s education reforms?
many students became attracted to radical ideas and challenged the government.
when were zemstvos formed?
1864
when were town Dumas formed?
1870
what were tsar Alexander II’s reasons for reaction?
societal problems (assassination attempts, dislike for western ideas), his advisors (conservative ministers, influence of mistress), loss of power
what were Alexander II’s reactionary policies for education?
reduced the zemstvos’ power over schools and gave the church back its authority of rural schools, more traditional curriculum
what were Alexander II’s reactionary policies for the police and judiciary?
stepped up persecution of non-Russian ethnic minorities and other religions, governor- generals were established and given powers to prosecute and exile political offenders, political trials were transferred from regular civil courts to special secret courts
what was the name of the ‘constitution’ that involved changing the law in Russia to allow more democratic politics but was never passed?
the Loris-Melikov ‘constitution’
what did the Loris-Melikov ‘constitution’ involve?
releasing political prisoners, relaxing censorship, and removing restrictions on the Zemstvos
what was the name of Alexander III’s conservative tutor?
Konstantin Pobedonostev
name 3 ways in which Alexander III reversed his father’s reforms?
any 3 from: the electorate was changed for town Dumas, the methods of electing Zemstvos were changed to increase nobility power and decrease peasant power, children from the lowest social classes were restricted to primary education, ministry of justice given power over courts e.g the right to closed court sessions, no. of police increased and powers increased to arrest revolutionaries who’d have no right to legal representation
what 4 reforms did Alexander III introduce?
reduced redemption fees, removed poll tax, introduced inheritance tax, factory inspections
what is the definition of Russification?
making Russia’s people more “Russki” by spreading “Russki” language, culture and religion
what is the difference between Russkii and Rossiiskii?
Russkii= Russian ethnicity Rossiiskii=of the Russian empire
what were Alexander II’s signs of Russification vs toleration? (2 each)
Russification- Ukrainian language prohibited in performance, exiled polish rebels
toleration- Finland allowed Diet (parliament), concessions to Latvians and Estonians
When was the Crimean war?
1853-56
When was h the emancipation of the serfs?
1861
What year were Governor Generals established?
1879
What were governor generals?
Established in Russian provinces to make sure areas outside the capital city were under control and were given powers to prosecute people in military courts and exile political offenders
