Political, Social & Economic Conditions and The Crimean War

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-QQz0HdApw

Autocracy - a system of government by one person with absolute power

Ruler of Russian Empire - Tsars - The Romanovs (300 YEARS)

No parliament and no elections

Tsar had a number of advisors, who were nobles, chosen by him

Pillars of Autocracy -

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH ~

Tsar head of church - very influential among peasants

Tsar appointed by God - “Little Father” to Russians

Disrespect Tsar, disrespect God

THE CIVIL SERVICE

Administrators and officials - carried out instructions of the Tsar

Appointed and paid by the Tsarist state

THE POLICE

Kept watch for enemies of the Tsar and arrested them

Okhrana - secret police. Worked undercover, infiltrated organisations who endangers the Tsar

CENSORSHIP

Books and newspapers censored

People not be influenced by liberal and socialist ideas

Dangerous material - banned

THE LAW

Legal system supported autocracy

Opponents exiled to labour camps in Siberia

THE ARMY

Had a huge army - used to control the peasants

Civil unrest - arrival of Cossacks (military unit) calmed things down

SIZE OF RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Bulk of population were peasant farmers (serfs) - illiterate, made it difficult to spread liberal ideas with books/pamphlets

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