Chapter 1- The Russian Autocracy In 1855 Flashcards
(34 cards)
How much of the earth’s surface did the Russian empire cover?
1/6
How did the people of Russia refer to the Tsar?
‘Our little father’
Why was the Russian Orthodox Church subject to tsarist control?
The tsar appointed the Over-Procurator of the Holy Synod
Who were the Tsar’s main advisory body?
Members of the Imperial Council (these were always nobles)
Who made the most significant decisions?
Central government
Which social group made up the majority of the population?
Conscripted serfs
How did serfs contribute to the military?
They were conscripted to the army for 25 years and had to live in military colonies.
Due to serfs, what made the Russian army special?
It was the largest in the world
What percentage of government expenditure went towards the army?
45%
Who acted as personal bodyguards to the Tsar / police reinforcements?
Cossacks
How were Cossacks different from serfs?
They were armed by the government and rode trained horses
As a result they held a higher military rank and had social privileges
How was Russia governed?
As a police state.
How was the police state maintained?
The Third Section
Censorship
Banning political freedom
When did Tsar Nicholas I rule?
1825-1855
Why did Nicholas I choose repression over liberation?
There had been a military uprising against him becoming Tsar
How did Russia compare to Western countries?
It was very backward
Economy remained rural
Most of the population lived in the countryside
How was Russia useful to Europe?
Large reserve of precious metals
Main exporter of agricultural goods
Why was Russia backward?
Rural economy Reliance on serfdom-- lack of middle class and working class Poor communication throughout the country due to its size and lack of technology
What did Russia have instead of factories?
Cottage industry
Who established the rules that serfs followed?
The Mir
How did most people live?
Self-sufficiently
How were most payments made?
‘In kind’ - through the exchange of goods or services rather than physical money
What problems did serfdom cause?
Little reason for landowners to save money to invest
Many serfs starved as they were poor
Economy was weak
Lack of classes (social polarisation)
Which people formed what was a barely existent entrepreneurial class?
Merchants
Urban artisans
