Threats to Tsar Alexei (pre-1676) Flashcards
Church
Threat 1: Nikon used the title Great Sovereign, and published a new law book in 1649 (same year as Alexis’ Law Code). This was an indirect threat to Alexis’ power because it undermined it especially since Church owned 20% of peasants so was a powerful institution.
Threat 2: Shortly after mid-July 1658 when a boyar struck one of Nikon’s officials, Nikon conducted mass in the Kremlin Dormition Cathedral, and denounced Alexis, before fleeing Moscow. This open resistance to the Tsar at the source of his power, hugely undermined his power and was a huge threat.
Not a threat: In December 1666, Nikon was tried and deposed and exiled to a distant monastery where he died in 1681, so overall not that much of a threat.
Not a threat 2: 1649 Law Code resulted in priests under the rank of Patriarch being able to be tried by secular courts - this reduced power of the Church and thus the overall threat to the Tsar from the underminining of his power.
Razin Revolt
Arose due to food shortages, in 1670 Razin’s group killed one of Alexei’s envoys which provoked Moscow.
Threat 1: The Razin revolt was obviously a threat to the Tsar since it was destabilising a part of his kingdom and, if successful, threatened to give more freedom to the peasants and lower classes – possibly destabilising Alexis’ entire regime. The revolt also would’ve been a significant financial burden. Furthermore the accelerating growth of the rebellion threatened to amplify these already severe impacts potentially making the consequences catastrophic.
Threat 2: In addition to this, the legacy of the Stenka Razin was also a threat since he symbolised resistance to the Russian leadership structure meaning he acted as an inspiration for those opposing the tsar, perhaps catalysing other forms of resistance. This is shown by his presence in some famous Russian folk songs.
Not a threat: This is firstly because the scale of the revolt meant that it was never going to triumph. This is because of their marginal location (Simbirsk was approximately 550 miles from Moscow), lack of coordination, their vastly inferior military skills and weaponry (such as their lack of artillery) which was no match for the entire military strength of Russia, and the tendency of such outbreaks to burn themselves out once the participants had vented their frustrations through pillaging and bloodletting.
Not a threat 2: Furthermore, the Razin revolt was never a serious threat to tsar Alexis since the rebellion was not anti-tsarist in nature. This is shown by the fact that in 1669 razin swore loyalty to the tsar and when he declared his intent on marching into Russia he only swore to march “against the traitorous boyars and advisors of the Tsar” – not tsar Alexis himself.
Not a Threat: Razin was brought to Moscow and tortured, and was executed by quartering in 1671
Urban Unrest (Copper Coin rebellion)
Copper Coin Rebellion, 1662:
Description: People angered by the counterfeiting of currency and high inflation as a result of Alexei making the coins out of copper instead of silver
Threat 1: July 1662, around 10000 rioters marched on the Tsar’s residence at Kolomenskoe - not just a direct threat, but also a threat since of the proximity to where his power was supposedly strongest
Threat 2: 1663, Russian officials were forced to abolish the copper coin to try and reduce the extent of Russia’s economic hardship
Not a Threat: Still quickly put to an end by military, with approximately 1000 supporters killed and 1000s more arrested
Urban Unrest (Moscow revolt)
Arose due to the government’s replacement of different taxes with a universal salt tax.
Threat 1: Moscow revolt of 1648 undermined his power - shown by the release of defamatory leaflets saying the sovereign was a “young fool”.
Threat 2: unlike other urban unrests, where the fury was aimed at the “traitorous boyars” and their “foreign accomplices”, the Moscow Revolt was aimed at the Tsar and his leadership therefore far more direct threat to his life.
Threat 3: The reason why this unrest was such a threat to Alexis was because of the proximity to where his power was supposedly strongest – this showed a vulnerability that Alexis did not want revealed.
