Russia in 1855

Question 1

What was The state of Russia like in 1855?

Answer 1

-Geographically large but economically underdeveloped
-Village to Town Dwellers 11:1
-Serfdom in force
-Ruled by the Tsar

Question 2

What percentage of the population was illiterate in 1855?

Answer 2

85%

Question 3

Who was the head of the Orthodox Church in 1855?

Answer 3

The Tsar

Question 4

What was the Tsar regarded as by Orthodox believers?

Answer 4

The embodiment of God on earth

Question 5

What was an Over-Procurator?

Answer 5

-Appointed by the Tsar from the laity
-Highest church official

Question 6

What was the Holy Synod?

Answer 6

-Group of bishops
-Forms the ruling body of the Orthodox Church
-Highest authority on rules, regulations, faith and matters of the church

Question 7

Define Autocracy

Answer 7

No limits to a ruler’s power ; such ruler is called an autocrat

Question 8

What was the tsar’s main advisory body?

Answer 8

-Imperial council or chancellery > 35-60 nobles selected by the Tsar
-Council of Ministers> 8-14 ministers in charge of different govt departments

Question 9

Who were the Cossacks?

Answer 9

-From Ukraine and Southern Russia
-Known for skills in horsemanship and strong military tradition

Question 10

What did the Cossacks do/form?

Answer 10

-Private regiment of mounted cossacks
-Acted as both personal bodyguard and police reinforcements

Question 11

How was the country socially in 1855 ?

Answer 11

-Russian Empire was vast
-most people lived in the West
-Dominated by the landed gentry
-many different countries
-minority groups were seen as a threat to Russian autocrats

Question 12

What percentage of the population were peasants in 1855?

Answer 12

80-90%

Question 13

What was the population in 1855?

Answer 13

70 million

Question 14

When was the Crimean War?

Answer 14

• 1853-1856
  -By 1856 Russia was defeated

Question 15

Who did Russia fight in the Crimean war?

Answer 15

the British , French and Turkish

Question 16

What defeats did Russia face in the Crimean war of 1853-1856?

Answer 16

battle of Baklava, the battle of Inkerman

Question 17

How much of the GDP per annum was spent on the Crimean war?

Answer 17

40%

Question 18

Why was the Russian army in the Crimean war woefully inadequate?

Answer 18

Serf-populated army and outdated tactics

Question 19

When did Alexander II become Tsar of Russia ?

Answer 19

March 1855

Question 20

What was serfdom like in 1855?

Answer 20

-Serfs paid for privilege in either cash or labour
-Serfs allowed to cultivate a part of the land for his own use
-Characterised by being the poorest of the Peasant class and were a type of Slave
- Owners could punish serfs

Question 21

What did serfs do ?

Answer 21

-Cultivated land for their owners
-Fought in the army due to conscription

Question 22

What was the economic state of Russia in 1855 ?

Answer 22

-Was sluggish
-Roads were deplorable
-far behind other countries

Question 23

The Impact of the Crimean war ?

Answer 23

-Russia was humiliated as it suffered multiple defeats (battle of baklava)
-Sers mostly made up the army and were poorly trained

Question 24

How many serfs were there ?

Answer 24

23million