Variety of nationalities, no sense
of national identity
Constant demands for
independence
The Country side
Peasants did not own land, and so they
were property of their Landowners
Peasants were subjected to
a form of salvery know as
"SERFDOM"
in 1861, serfs were freed and allowed to have some land
it was not enough land to make a decent living.
Village elders gained control
over the lives of individual
peasants
Russia could provide food but...
Bad harvests = Famine.
Also no crop rotation
Agriculture needed modernisation
population growing fast, not
enough land
Landowners
most important and influential
provided the local
government
acted as the link between
common people and the tsar
But their position was becoming less secure, as
tension increased between peasant and owner -
they wanted land for themselves
Many landowners ran their estates
inefficiently & fritted away their wealth.
local councils
(zemstvos), pressed
the Tsar for reforms
The Cities
Witte became Finance Minister in !892
Tsar Nicholas ll
Absolute Ruler
Russia's Ministry was chosen by
him, and only answerable to him
Local governement was also chosen by the
tsar, that way he could keep and eye on them
Ruled in a harsh and
repressive manner.
To prevent Russia from Falling into Anarchy.
Crushed any sign of dissent or
opposition
"What is going to happen to me and all of
Russia? I am not prepared to be a Tsar. I never
wanted to become one. I know nothing of the
businesss of ruling."
Reaction of Nicholas ll after his fathers death. _reluctant already.
Indecisive and found it
hard to concentrate
Unable to respond the
pressures for change
Saw Modernisation as a threat
The country needed a flexible and
imaginative leader
Russian Orthodox Church
Deeply Religious
Helped with upholding authority, in return they
gained political influence
Due to size and diverse population, not the
entire country belonged to the church