The Russian Autocracy 1855 Flashcards
What is meant my localism
Loyalty to the local community or a local area.
What is autocratic
Autocracy means having no limits on a rulers power such as rule was called a autocrat
When years did Alexander the second rule Russia
1855-1881
What problems did Alexander || face in 1855 Russia? (7)
- Religion- tsar needed the church for funding and to support his moral image
- The tsar couldn’t change problems in the country without changing everything. For example the social issues- 82% were peasants and they couldn’t be changed until the industry Improved and produced more industrial products.
- Size of the industry meant it was hard to transport goods
4 the cold climate meant that cold areas of Russia can’t produce goods
5 the large amount of nationalities meant the tsar was confused who he was representing. - The industry had 400 years of catching up
- All the different nationalities made it had to communicate to improve the industry
Who was Robert service and what where his views on the idea of localism
Robert service was a well represented modern historian who painted a picture of tsarist Russia. He believed strongly in localism of Russia which meant loyalty to the local community or local areas.
What is believed to be the role of the tsar
Emperor and autocrat of all Russia. Regarded by the Orthodox Church “God on earth”
What where the potential areas for success in the Russia economy
They possessed vast amounts of timber, coal, oils, gold and other precious metals
What where problems from the Russia economy in 1855
Rural economy
Other countries eg Britain and France where we’ll advanced industrially
Climate placed strains on economic development
Communication between the empire was poor
Little opportunity to develop into wage earners
What is serfdom
Russian peasants. Classified as the property of their owners rather than as citizens, they could be bought and sold, Beaten and not allowed to marry without permission. They worked on village communes run by strict rule. Money was irrelevant, they where regarded in kindness.
Who are the edicts
The law of the land. All edicts where chosen by the tsar
Despite all the problems in 1855 why where Russia still considered a super power
As they had the biggest empire.
What was the class distribution of the Russian population in 1855
82% serfs 4% working class 1.5% commercial class (factory workers) 12% upper class 0.5% ruling class
How many calories where produced per male in agricultural worker in Russia compared to Belgium
Russia - 7.5 million
Belgium - 11.0 million
Showing how behind they where industrially
Why might the many nationalities in Russia be a problem to Russia
The many different nationalities show how the tsar had to try appease and provide for many different cultures and languages.
The fact that the orthodox dominated in the east and the Christian beliefs dominated in the west Made it harder for the tsar have an influence over the Christians.
Outline the political problems in 1855 Russia. (4)
- High percentage of nationalities made it difficult to make rules to suit everyone
- One ruler means rules maybe imposed that are not necessarily right for Russia
- If they tsar doesn’t want to trade with one county then they can’t - affecting trading
- 0.5 % bourgeoisie are the only ones who have chance to change social structures but won’t find it necessary as it doesn’t affect them
What where the social issues in 1855 Russia (4)
- The cold climate made it hard to produce food leaving a high percentage of serfs starving causing a social split between the rich and the poor
- Only one tsar so freedom of speech was banned
- 0.5% ruling class meant that not all nationalities where represented in that percentage
- Orthodox Church and Christian church cause a social split
What where Economic issues in 1855 Russia
- 82% peasants no strive to achieve a better economy. There skills were low and it was hard to make improvements
- Cold climates make it hard o reproduce food meaning they can’t sell the food and the economy can’t make money through farming.
- Fell behind every other county when it came to having cotton, raw, coal and steam power. His made their image weaker and meant they had to buy products from other countries and folk out money to produce for their huge population.
- Serfdom prevented economic growth
- 2/3 of the land were inhabitable
- No form of transport - hard to trade
- State of economy can’t be improved because the elites are happy with there social position
What was the patriarch of Moscow
Worked in close harmony with the tsar and provided spiritual guidance
What were the “over procurator of the holy synod”
Created in 1971- government ministers appointed by the tsar to run church affairs
What made up the main advisory body and what was it known as
Imperial council
35-60 nobles chosen by the tsar and they advised him personally and provided their expert opinion
Who were the council of ministers
8-14 ministers in charge of different government departments
Who made up the bureaucracy
Civil servants
Selected from a “table of ranks”
14 levels
Rank 1- members of the council ministers
Rank 14- minor state positions eg- collecting tax
No position for suggestions to travel upwards
How many conscripted serfs were there
How much did the government spend on the army
1.5 million - made to serve for 25 years and live in military colony
45% of government spending
Who were the Cossacks
Personal body guard to the tsar
What was censorship like
No freedom of speech, freedom of the press and no travelling abroad
Political meetings and strikes were forbidden
Who ran the secret state security
What did they have the power to do
The third section of the emperors imperial council.
Carry out raids, arrest and imprison or exile anyone showing anti- tsarist behaviour
What were the two types of serfs
A little over half were privately owned- 30% of them paid rent and 70% provided labour
Others were state serfs who paid tax and rent
What was the most common purchase for serfs
Vodka, metal tools and salt
Why might the economy of been failing due to serfdom
No opportunity for capital accumulation and income was falling due to no rural population growth and the agricultural changes in Western Europe that increased the competitiveness and productivity of the European markets
What was society missing
A middle class
What kind of taxes were paid by society 1855
Main= poll tax ‘tax on heads’ introduced 1719 to cover the costs of the army made up 25% of Russian income
Indirect tax including tax on vodka and salt - 30% of the government income in 1855
Taxes hit peasants hard who with the urban workers and tradesman provided 90% of the imperial finance
