MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF RUSSIA
tsarists
state infrasturcture
the tsar's system had several features called "Pillars of Autocracy"
It was backwards
Socially
Economically
Politically
autocratic government
nobility
Causes:
many people who governed like autocrats meaning only Tsar governed Russia: They believed they had divine power to rule.
Little industry
mayority of the population were farmers
Agricultural system
Had changed since middle ages
Most of the population were illiterate
upper class (10% of population) who owned lands and depended on the Tsar. They also controlled the army and cilvil service:
slaves under the control of wealthy landowners
The law
Tsarist legal system
Support autocracy
Tsarists authority
the civil service helped the Tsar run the Russian Empire
administrators and officials carried out the instructions of the Tsar and his ministers
they were appointed and paid by the Tsar
they owed their position to the Tsar and were very loyal to him
to oppose him would mean losing power and position
suppress opposition
the okhrana
increase fear amog population
Tsar's will was enforced by a large police system to report suspicious behaviour subversive groups:
The Empire did not have an elected parliament and there were no elections for positions in the government.
The army
The Tsar had a large army that became a very effective means of enforcing his power
The Tsar was the supreme commander of the army and could deploy units at will
the secret police had a vital role in identifying and spying on enemies
they had the power to arrest potential threats as required.
agents of the Okhrana worked undercover, infiltrating ogroups that might present a danger to the Tsar
they acted on the Tsar’s behalf, treating citizens how they saw fit
their methods included torture and murder
The church
The tsar was the head of the church
It was very influential to people.