Russian history

1855- end of Crimean war

What perecent of population serfs

90%( roughly 59 million

What proportion of Russians ethnic minorities

50%

What was the tsars secret police called and what did they do

Third section, to limit free speech( also done through military) 

What was russias economy like? 

Based on agriculture, unorganised strip farming by peasants.

What were the main issues with Russia 1855

Majority of people dirt poor, Autocratic society, free speech severely limited, unindustiral, tiny middle class due to being uninfustrial, large yet unorganised military, serfs seems as property

What are the three types of serfs in Russia and a brief description

State serf, lived on an estate such as church, paid fixed cash sum to Orbok( state officials), estimated 1.9 million. privately owned who had to pay feudal dues with labour and whatever cash landlords wanted, in areas with profitable farming. and household serfs working jobs like butlers cooks and maids.

Causes of Crimean war?

Ottoman Empire weakening, Catholics and orthodox Christians dispute over control of holy land. ottoman died with France(as does Britain for strategical reasons) Russia wants to extend territory and influence

What are the key events of the war

:Oct 53 Ottoman declare war on Russia, March 1854 B+F declare war on Russia Ofc 54 Battle of balaclava  August 55 11 month siege of Sevastopol amends from France offensive, Russia start peace negotiations, March 56 treaty of paris

Russian consequences of Crimean war

Black Sea demilitarised, Russia globally humiliated and seen as weak, highlighted need for industrialisation and modernisation, 250,000 soldiers dead, Loss of Bassarabia

When was the emancipation of the serfs

1861

How did the peasants benefit?

More freedoms such as able to get married. Not peasant class called Kulak who sold excess grain for profit 

How did the peasnts not benefit 

50% of peasants still relied on subsistence farming. Had to pay redemption tax for 49 years and were tied to Mir until paid off. Peasants often had less land now so famine was still rife. 

In what way did nobles benefit from emancipation

Given compensation sometimes worth more then the land they had, could use this to pay off debts

In what may did nobles not benefit

Felt they had not been properly compensated for their lost status 

Consequences of emancipation

Alexander took more middle approach so no-one happy. Damaged relations between Tsar and nobles. Alexander had many assassination attempts

What military reforms did Alexander II make

Conscription nessacary for all 21 year old men( can pay your way out)- conscription to 15 year plus 10 in reserve. Modern artillery introduced( though took so long to introduced it was outdated) promotions given on merit

Government reforms?

Zemstva(district council) introduced- though by 1914 only 37 of 70 provinces had one-initially 19. Elected every 3 years b peasant + nobility( nobility had most power) responsible for health + ed. Roma introduced for towns. Nobles chosen by tsar bypass election. These areas become forum for political debate.

Judicial reforms?

Defendants innocent until proven guilty, Judges trained and appointed by tsar. Courts open to public. Not all courts changed- military and church courts eg. Independent courts challenged autocracy.

Education.

Universities allowed to govern themselves- number trebled by 1870. Education now controlled by zemstva instead of Orthodox Church, Education extended but only primary education was free. Primary education religious based and only taught basic skills.

Censorship reforms?

Relaxation of press censorship, restricted pulishign reduced, foreign population allowed with gov approval. Let to book publication from 100 in 1855 to 11,00 1894, books criticising regime get published

How did the tsars reforms lead to political opposition

Anti tsar books could be published, education reform created a generated of open minded thinkers and Zemstva created forums to criticise tsarist politics

Example of a radical thinker

Nikolai Chernushevsky wrote “what is to be done” said peasants should lead revolution- inspired Lenin

Examples of Alexander poorly handling foreign affairs?

Brutal handling of plush rebellion 1863, banning Ukrainian Language 76

How did Alexander go back on reforms

1871 university access limited and liberal courses replaced, 1878 political trials behind closed doors.