History; Russia

Vast country with scattered population.

Poor communications.

Bad transport system.

200 different races - 60% were not Russian

Difficult to rule.

Most of area was Tundra (continuously frozen) - useless to farm.

Most people lived in 5% of the land.

Tsar:

believed he was chosen by God

autocracy not democracy

not believe in changing system of government

Autocrat - all power

no parliament = no elections

council of ministers gave advice

no trade unions/political parties

secret police - okhrana (spied on people)

troublemakers - arrested, exiled, no trail

AUTOCRACY:

no parliament

no limit to power

CIVIL SERVICE:

thousands: 4 ranks

help govern people

Okhrana:

censored books/newspapers

spied on groups

arrested people

COSSACKS:

fierce soldiers

break up mobs - used in riots

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH:

taught people to respect Tsar

maintain control over people/churchgoers

NICHOLAS & ALEXANDRA:

confident, strong, religious

Tsar took advice for Alexandra

ALEXIS:

only son

haemophilia