IMPERIAL RUSSIA Background to the period- What is “Russia to 1855?

Russia in 1853 Land of extreme contrasts- frozen plains, eastern forests and fertile steppes of Ukraine European Russia 75% population- sparsely populated Asiatic Russia Racial differences- less than half of Russia were ‘Russians’ by birth Lutheran Finns, Baltic Germans, Estonians, Latvians, Catholic Lithuanians, Poles, Orthodox Belorussian/Ukrainians, Muslims in the South, Greeks and Georgians and Christian Armenians Deep contrast of Russian myth and reality from foreign nations- “a Giant”

Russia 1853 Russia defeats Napoleon in Congress of Vienna they were held in high esteem- powerful and respectful Myth of superiority and invincibility- ruled by Nicholas I (Policeman of Europe) Nicholas believed whole heartedly in Divine Right- “Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia” Russia was home to a ruthless authoritarianism unlike anywhere else in Europe, the true autocrat, ruled through ukases (decrees) *father killed in a palace revolution, brother Alexander I died suspiciously in 1825, Decembrist revolt- feared conspiracy his whole life

Controlling Russia Constant challenge- biggest threat to its future was its industrial development- compared with Western Europe Up to 1853 Russia was totally reliant on serfs- forced labour and rent Serfs were also relied on for military conscripts for the ‘mighty’ Russian army Insanely big army but one that was only held together by fierce discipline of the conscripts- think about it, what were they fighting for?? Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality- guiding principles of the regime- hello secret police (Third Section) Minorities repressed, censorship, no freedom to travel abroad, and reaction

Controlling Russia All government departments were accountable to the Tsar- Tsar, Imperial Council of the State (Tsar appointed for legal and finance), Council of Ministers (appointed for legislation drafting), Senate (nobility- judges) Poorly administered government- gap between state income and expenditure- 45% Russian army Undeveloped transport systems, and serfdom based economy Russia was held back by its social structure- no middle class motivated by profit to invest- wealthy Russians were wealthy because of serfs Military service- 25 year conscripts, military colonies- reluctant army with periods of unrest there were 90 rebellions

Evidence YearAustriaFranceGermanyGreat BritainSwedenRussia ,5885,0377,82611,7441, ,471,00010,33119,35727,97023,36519,029

Slavophiles vs. Westernizers Intellectuals adopted one of two positions Westernizers- Russia could only remedy its situation by copying the West Slavophiles- Russia possessed superior traditional values and should follow its own path= Russian MIR was a positive alternative to western capitalism In reality this topic was for heated discussion for the nobles, never put into practice The real catalyst of change would not be Nicholas, it would Alexander II due to the Crimean War

The Crimean War List the reasons why Russia lost the Crimean War Organize Russia failures as the following: Political, Economic, Social, and Military