2. Study the information carefully. You have 1 minute to memorise as
much information as you can.
The Russian
empire
spanned two
continents. It
stretched
4,000 miles
West to East
& 2,000
miles North
to South
Over 130 million people
lived across the Russian
Empire
The ruling family was the
Romanov – ruling from
1613 to 1917
Tsar Nicholas II was the cousin
of George V and a descendant
of Queen Victoria
The Trans-Siberian
railway opened in 1904.
It took over a week to
cross the country by
train
3. ???
1. How many people lived in Russia at this time?
2. Nicholas II was cousin to which British king?
3. How wide was the Russian Empire?
4. When did the Romanov dynasty end?
5. Which railway crosses Russia West to East?
6. How many Russian dolls could you see?
7. Who was taller in the photo – Tsar Nicholas or
George V?
4. 1. How many people lived in Russia at this time?
130 m
2. Nicholas II was cousin to which British king?
George V
3. How wide was the Russian Empire?
4000 miles
4. When did the Romanov dynasty end?
1917
5. Which railway crosses Russia West to East?
Trans-Siberian Railway
6. How many Russian dolls could you see?
Four
7. Who was taller in the photo – Tsar Nicholas or George V?
Tsar Nicholas II
6. A Communist cartoon
depicting the government
of Russia under the Tsars.
1. Which group does
each tier represent?
(Label)
2. What is the
message of the
cartoon?
3. How useful is this
cartoon in
understanding the way
in which Russia was
governed?
7. An picture of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Emperor and Autocrat of All the
Russias; Tsar of
Moscow, Kiev, Vladimir, Novgorod, Kazan, Astrakhan, Poland, Siberia, the
Tauric Chersonese and Georgia; Lord of Pskov (and over 40 other titles!)
What
impression
do you gain
of the Tsar
from this
picture?
Why
would you
wish to be
seen in
this way?
8. • Use your smartphones/laptops to find a
definition of the term AUTOCRACY.
• Find further definitions for FEUDAL and
SERFDOM.
• Add these definitions to your glossary.
9.
10.
11. Introduction to Russia
THE LANDS OF RUSSIA
• In 1855 Russia was even larger
than it is today.
• 6000 miles from the Baltic Sea to
the Pacific Ocean.
• Enormous diversity in
climate, vegetation and physical
features
• Extreme heat and extreme cold
• Only 1/10 of modern Russia is
farmed – most not farmed at all
• Most of population live West of the
Ural Mountains
• Only 1.6% lived in towns and cities
in 1855.
12. THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA
• Population rose rapidly in second half of the
nineteenth century
• 1897 census – 126 million people
– 55.6m were ‘Great Russians’
– 22.4m Ukrainians
– 7.9m Poles
– 5.0m Jews
• All had their own language, culture and
traditions – a challenge to govern.
• Largest Jewish community in the world – treated
harshly (only allowed to live in Poland/Ukraine)
• Many of the nationalities wished to govern
themselves.
• Govt. tried to stamp out nationalism – enforced
the Russia language, the Orthodox church and
nobles were given land to settle on.
Tsar Nicholas I said in 1843 – “There is diversity of
race, manners, religion and mind. Unity is only on the
surface.”
13. HOW WAS RUSSIA RULED?
• By 1855 in western Europe, constitutional
government had become the norm.
• Tsars demanded total authority and total
loyalty
• The Romanov dynasty had ruled Russia for
almost 300 years.
• The nobility supported autocracy.
• The Imperial Council of State met to
advise the Tsar but was often ignored.
• All ministers were appointed by the Tsar
• The Senate dealt with serious political
offences.
• Provincial Governors ran the 50 provinces.
• Each province had local assemblies that
appointed judges and chiefs of police.
Constitutional
Government – powers
of the monarch
constrained by the law
(Parliament)
“The Emperor of all the
Russias is an autocratic
and unlimited monarch:
God himself ordains
that all must bow to his
supreme power, not
only out of fear but also
out of conscience.”
Tsar Nicholas I 1832
Fundamental Laws
P. Oxley p. 13
14. HOW WAS RUSSIA RULED?
• The nobility/aristocracy/gentry (all
mean the name thing) made up the local
officials and governors.
• Difficult to control and keep on top of
the entire government in Russia
• 31 million official papers filed in 1849!!!
• Poor communications meant decision
making was slow.
• Lack of political freedom led to
violence – 1400 peasant revolts (1800-
1860)
• Secret Police force set up.
• Army key to maintaining autocracy.
WHY?
• Officers – Nobility Privates – Forced
conscripts/serfs (25 years of service).
15. RELIGION IN RUSSIA
• The Russian Orthodox Church was
the state religion.
• Huge part of national life.
• Controlled by the Holy Synod (led by
govt. minister)
• Tsar had absolute power over
church and church appointments.
• The Church was a strong pillar
supporting the govt.
• Emphasised the importance of
obedience to authority – political or
religious.
• No other religious groups treated
fairly by state.
• Jews restricted on employment and
education.
• Pogroms – random murderous
attacks by Christians against Jews
17. RUSSIAN SOCIETY
• 1855 – 50 million were peasant serfs.
• Privately owned people by the gentry or the state – slaves in all but name.
• Worked for landlord and got house and share of crops in return.
• Could be sold or flogged by masters.
• Houses little better than huts (shared with animals)
• Needed permission to get married or leave the village.
• The mir collected poll tax and organised the farms.
• Little incentive to innovate and try new methods in agriculture.
• No incentive for serfs to produce more and prosper.
• Life expectancy – 35 years. Most were illiterate.
• Serfdom supported by upper classes. WHY?
• Russia had a small middle class – doctors, teachers, lawyers (bourgeoisie)
• Some had begun to travel and take an interest in Western European
art, culture and politics – started to criticise Russia’s backwardness.
• Tsar Nicholas I – restricted passports and education (only 1% in schools)
• 3500 people in Russia’s 6 universities.
• Increased censorship and use of the secret police.
• Standing army of 1 million even in peace time. What does that tell us?
18. ROYAL FAMILY
• Social life for the upper
classes revolved around the
royal court.
• Great banquets and balls
were held in the royal
palaces.
• The Tsar lived mainly in the
Winter Palace, St
Petersburg
• Royal family educated to
believe they had a divine
right to rule Russia.
• Romanovs were very
wealthy – Tsar Nicholas II
had $1 billion of gold and
150million acres of land.
19. RUSSIAN ECONOMY
• Huge growth in population put a strain on Russia’s
resources
• PROBLEMS - Harsh winters, short-growing
periods, backward farming methods, poor soil.
• Grain made up 40% of all exports
• Russia did not have an all-year-round ice-free port.
• 1855 – Britain produced 10 times more pig iron
than Russia.
• Had underdeveloped banking system and lacked
surplus labour – most working as serfs.
• Russians were very poor – little demand for
industrial products.
• Communication/transport problems prevented
industrial development.
• 1860 - 1600km of railway compared to 15,000km
in Britain.
• Transport of raw materials and goods almost
impossible at certain times of year – even rivers
were frozen for many months.
• Some industrialisation occurred due to high tariffs
placed on foreign imports – encouraged overseas
investment in Russia.
Average
income per
head p/a (in
roubles) 1861
Russia 71
Britain 323
USA 450
Germany 175
20. Create a key that
organises all the
problems/difficulties
Some points may fall
into more than one
category
Military
Difficulties preventing
Russian military success
Political
Difficulties in the way
Russia was governed
Economic
Problems facing Russian
industry and agriculture
Social
Difficulties in the way the
Russian people lived
together in society
21. Read the final paragraph on P. 21 (hand-out)
and compile two short lists.
Also use your notes/key to help.
“Tsarist Russia was a success”
AGREE or DISAGREE
Discuss ideas as a class.
22. Plenary
1. Why was Russia so difficult to govern?
Think from the Tsar’s point of view;
2. Why would autocracy be a good way to rule Russia?
3. Summarise in 140 characters the main
problems/issues facing Russia in 1850s.
4. Without using notes, define FEUDAL, SERFDOM and
AUTOCRACY.
23. Homework
• Read Hosking p. 56-59 on the Crimean War
• Think – why did Russia lose the Crimean
War?
