Describe the political situation in 1855

Tsar
1. Unlimited monarch
2. Head of Orthodox Church as embodiment of god on earth
3. Little Father- unity
4. Had advisors, chosen by him
  1. Imperial Council
    1. 60 nobles/rich landowners
  2. Council of Ministers
    1. 8-14 nobles
  3. If they spoke against the Tsar, they lost power, status and wealth
5. Based in St Petersburg Capital
6. Alexander II
  1. Petrine Tsar
    1. Tsar to make, then obey his own laws
    2. Power is not from divine tsar, but from autocratic state
      1. Allowing for reform
Military and Coercion
1. Largest army in world
  1. 1.5m serfs
    1. Lived in military colonies
2. Conscription 25 years
3. 45% of budget spent on army
  1. So less spent on society
4. Police state
  1. No free speech, free press, travelling abroad/inside Russia
  2. Third Section PLUS informers
Other features
1. Aristocracy made up 1% of population
2. Lack of national consciousness
3. Lots of internal corruption
4. Imperial bureaucracy was an elite caste set above the rest of society
Systems and management
1. Civil Service system-i.e. the way to become nobility
  1. Tsar promoted top four ranks- usually by age 1800-1900. Inefficient management of kingdom
2. Provincial governors: personification of tsarist oppression and despotism
  1. Could resist ministers demands
  2. In charge of local police
  3. Chairman of boards Justice/Finance/Transportation

Resource summary

	Created by Declan Wiseman over 7 years ago