Tsarist Russia overview 1825-1917

Nicholas I 1825-1855

Repressive following the attempted Decembrist revolution in attept to prevent him coming to power
Autocratic, wanted to control everything
held great personal control over domestic and foreign affairs
repressive period to maintan autocracy but led to unrest of intelligentsia.
"not in as good order as i would have wished" What he told Alexander II when passing over the government.

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Tsar liberator
Failed to provide long term solutions
Emancpation of the serfs 1861 - peasants were allowed to but land from redemption payments to the state for 49years
Established the zemstva; elected council, 40% voted by peasants
Extended primary and secondary education
Unversities became autonomous and reduced class bias
Increased criticism of Tsarism - peasants became indebted and led to rise of populist revolutionary mvements such as the Pople's Will
Zemztva led to a desire for democracy
Increased number of educated people
Provided the potential for an organised party - not established til 20th century
Assassinatd 1881 by People's Will

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Did not want to be Tsar
Unprepared
Autocratic
Believed in the Divine Right from tutor Pobedonstev
Saw reform as a "senseless dream"
Continued repression - extended Russification.
Could not maintain the regime
Zemstva grew in power and strikes increased
Peasant discontent grew from tax burden
Land hunger resulted from an increase in population
Loss of Russo-Japanese war
Disorganised 1905 revolution which was ended by the weakness of opposition and government concessions

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Reforming concessions under the influence of Witte
End of peasant debt
October manifesto - creation of Duma (parliament) which pulled the Liberal movements suit
Fundamental laws 1906 - limited legislative power of the Duma
Stolypin's restrctions made the Duma supportive of the Tsar
The first agrarian reforms created by Stolypin - the Stolypin system

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