The State Of Russia In 1855

Question 1

What problems did Russia’s size present it with?

Answer 1

Communication and control.

Question 2

What happened to Russia’s population between 1815-1914?

Answer 2

Quadrupled from 40 million to 165 million.

Question 3

How many different nationalities made up Russia?

Answer 3

Over 100.

Question 4

Which dynasty was Alexander II part of?

Answer 4

Romanov.

Question 5

Which laws did Nicholas I issue that cemented the Tsar’s power?

Answer 5

• The Fundamental Laws 1832 which stated that the Tsar was an ‘autocratic and unlimited monarch’.

Question 6

What was the extent of censorship?

Answer 6

• No free press.
• All books and journals subject to censorship.

Question 7

What was a crucial means of controlling the peasants for the Tsar?

Answer 7

The army and navy.

Question 8

How long were conscripted soldiers expected to serve?

Answer 8

• 25 years, reduced to 15 for good service.

Question 9

How many soldiers died during peacetime between 1825-1855?

Answer 9

1 million. Poor conditions.

Question 10

How many soldiers made up Russia’s army?

Answer 10

~1.5 million.

Question 11

What % of state spending was on the army? How did this compare to education?

Answer 11

45% on army, 4% on education.

Question 12

What role did the aristocracy play in the army (1855)?

Answer 12

They made up a large proportion of the officers roles, often had little experience.

Question 13

What % of the population of Russia were peasants in the mid-1800s?

Answer 13

90%.

Question 14

What are some examples of the limited industry in Russia in the mid-1800s?

Answer 14

• Iron works in the Urals.
• Textile factories in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Question 15

What factors limited the development of an industrial economy in the mid-1800s?

Answer 15

• Huge country but poor transport (e.g railways) and communication.
• Poor banking.

Question 16

Where was the majority of arable land?

Answer 16

The ‘black earth’ region near Ukraine.

Question 17

What % of the Russian population were part of the Orthodox Church in the mid-1800s?

Answer 17

• 70%. There were over 100,000 clerics who had huge day-to-day power over the peasants especially.

Question 18

What were the problems within the civil service?

Answer 18

• Nepotism.
• Corruption.
• Top jobs reserved for the nobility, who made up ~10% of the population.
• People often put their own interests ahead of those of other people.