Russia in 1855 (1)
- Created by: MonsurAli
- Created on: 01-06-17 14:07
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- Russia in 1855
- Politically
- Autocratic with a Tsar at the head. He was also the head of the Orthodox Church, and seen as God chosen.
- Patriarch of Moscow & Over Procurator of the Holy Synod advised him
- His edicts (Ukazy) were the law of the land.
- The Imperial Council, Council of Ministers and the Senate (although hardly existed by 1855) were chosen by him.
- There were 1-14 ranks: each having their own dress code etc.
- Military and policing
- Tsar had world's largest army: 1.5 million serfs (due to 25 years conscription)
- Army and navy took 45% of govt expenditure.
- It was a police state: Cossacks were Tsar's private guards and the 'Third Section' ensured surveillance over the population.
- Economy
- Europe (Britain, France etc) were more industrialised.
- Russia remained mainly rural with 11:1 village to town dwellers
- Serf-based economy: 90% were serfs. There was also starvation in the winters.
- Most of the land inhospitable: potential of Russia was not uncovered.
- Serfs belonged to Mirs and markets existed and were growing
- Money was not used (barter economy), and landownders were forced to take out loans due to debts caused by inefficiency.
- Socially
- Extremely divided between land owning elite and serf majority.
- Urban artisans (skilled workers) existed, but no middle class or intelligentsia
- Serfs paid rent to masters and tax to the govt. However the nobility paid no direct taxes.
- 55.6% of people were Russian, 22.4% Ukrainian, 7.9% Polish.
- Crimean war (1853-56)
- Russia fought British, French and Turkish in Crimean Peninsula.
- There were a few early successes of destruction of Turkish fleet
- Faced later defeats in Battle of Balaclava and Inkerman.
- 1855: lost Sebastopol. Nicholas I died in the same year.
- Enteric fever killed 500,000 of 980,000 people. There was poor sanitation and no nurses.
- Highlighted Russian inefficiencies e.g. outdated technology and poor transport.
- The 25 years of conscription and 45% govt expenditure were not working.
- Resulted in peasant uprising and a middle class crying for reform.
- Treaty of Paris signed in 186: it was humiliating and showed backwardness.
- Politically
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