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What was Russia like in 1855? - Coggle Diagram
What was Russia like in 1855?
Army: conditions of service and effectiveness
They had to be in the army for 25 years
Russians were defeated at home
Equipment was out dated- British fire arms could shot longer distances than Russian canons
the army was NOT effective
Autocrasy: system of government
Nicholas I motto was: "autocracy, orthodoxy, nationality."
all political decisions were lay by the tsar- who had ultimate power
anyone wanting to make a political or social change in Russia needed the tsars' support
autocracy was supported by serfdom because peasants were kept in a state of ignorance.
peasants believed the tsar had been appointed by God
the tsar was on their side
the tsar new very detail of peasant life
A visit to Winter Palace would bring justice to any dispute
There were 13 government departments run by ministries that were drawn from the nobility- tsar decided who were appointed
Serfs: condition and status
Vast majority of the russian population were peasant serfs
60M people in European Russia, from which 50M were serfs
The serfs were at the bottom of Russian society- they were treated like slaves
serfdom prevented a source of workers for new industries
very low education
deeply exploited
The Church: influence
he Church played an important role in upholding the social hierarchy
Orthodox Church was a major supporter of the Tsarist regime
the Church was not independent of the state, it was controlled by the Tsar
70% of population followed the orthodox religion
Bureaucracy: structure and effectiveness
Nobility: role and wealth
Many nobles use government service as a way to increase their incomes through over-taxing and bribery
Had most privileges
were a major pillar of support of the tsar
second highest ranking in the social hierarchy
Taxation
By 1855 Britain was producing 10 times as much pig/iron as Russia.
opened to corruption- no national budget
Middle Class: who
Russia had a small middle class.
i.e: doctors, lawyers, university teachers
Police and judiciary: structure and effectiveness
Lack of political freedom for the population meant the only available means of opposition were violence (terrorism/ revolt)
Nicholas I set up a secret police force to work against opponents
Judiciary was not independant