Tsarism

Question 1

social structure

Answer 1

• 5 classes in Imperial Russia
• Ruling Class (0.5%)
• Upper Class (12%)
• Commercial Class (1.5%)
• Working Class (4%)
• Peasants (82%)
• Emancipation Act of 1861: freed all serfs
• 49 year mortgage meant peasants remained poor

Question 2

The Bureaucracy

Answer 2

• Reorganised all service in the military, Government, and Civil Service
• 14 ranks
• Ineffective system
• “Corruption.. [was an] important alternative to getting things done.” (Velychenko)

Question 3

The Church

Answer 3

• Tsar appointed the leader of the Holy Synod
• It was a government department
• Very important to many rural Russians
• In charge of education and welfare for the poor
• Owned 10% land (very rich)

Question 4

The Army

Answer 4

• Largest peacetime army in Europe of 1.5 million

- In charge of defence and Imperial matters

Question 5

The Okhrana

Answer 5

• 1881
• Designed to “protect the political interests of the state” (Perfect et al)
• Embedded against within society, read private correspondence, issued permits needed to travel
• 26,000 killed under the Okhrana (Thompson)