Late Imperial Russia 1894-1905
The Land, the People and the Tsardom:
• Imperial Russia covered 8 million square miles
• The population quadrupled to 160 million between 1815 and 1914
• The Romanov family had been in charge of Russia since 1613, with Nicholas II as the Tsar
of Russia, the absolute ruler
• The Orthodox Church was a prominent part of Russian culture, one of the five pillars of
Russia, promoted total obedience to the Tsar
• They had one of the largest armies with half a million people, most of which were
conscripted peasants that were in the army as a punishment
• The leaders of the country and the army were members of the aristocracy who had gained
they positions from familial connections, meaning that the system was corrupt and the
leaders were inexperienced and under qualified
• While other European countries were democratic states, Russia was not, preventing liberal
ideas from leading to revolution of secret liberal societies by oppression from the Okhrana
• 82% of the population were peasants, known as the dangerous dark masses
• A lack of workers and merchants led to an underdeveloped underdeveloped economy, with
most industries being cottage industries within families
The Problem of Reform:
• Westeners believed that reform could only be brought on through adopting policies from
Western Europe
• Slavophiles believed that Russia should maintain its traditional culture
• Reform could only come from the Tsar, however he would not decrease his power and
influence
• Alexander II decreased control over the press and universities, introduced local councils
called Zemstra and legal reforms, as he hoped this would decrease opposition to the Tsar
• Alexander III reversed this, setting up government controlled courts, removing liberal
politicians, increased the power of the Okhrana and decreased the power of local councils
• Nicholas II inherited these policies, with many believing he did not understand Russia’s
problems
• Pobedenostev was Nicholas II’s tutor and advisor, and was chief minister until 1905
• He was very conservative, introducing russification, the controlling of minorities to
maintain Russian culture, and pogroms, the persecution of Jews
Economic Reform Under Witte:
• Believed that the only way to advance Russia was to adopt policies of Western European
countries, he advocated state capitalism
• Imported engineers and technicians from Western Europe to aid with this
• Was responsible for the great spurt, where the economy was boosted rapidly
• Began the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, which hoped to connect remote parts
of Russia to the capitals and boost trade and export while also promoting migration to the
remote parts
The Land, the People and the Tsardom:
• Imperial Russia covered 8 million square miles
• The population quadrupled to 160 million between 1815 and 1914
• The Romanov family had been in charge of Russia since 1613, with Nicholas II as the Tsar
of Russia, the absolute ruler
• The Orthodox Church was a prominent part of Russian culture, one of the five pillars of
Russia, promoted total obedience to the Tsar
• They had one of the largest armies with half a million people, most of which were
conscripted peasants that were in the army as a punishment
• The leaders of the country and the army were members of the aristocracy who had gained
they positions from familial connections, meaning that the system was corrupt and the
leaders were inexperienced and under qualified
• While other European countries were democratic states, Russia was not, preventing liberal
ideas from leading to revolution of secret liberal societies by oppression from the Okhrana
• 82% of the population were peasants, known as the dangerous dark masses
• A lack of workers and merchants led to an underdeveloped underdeveloped economy, with
most industries being cottage industries within families
The Problem of Reform:
• Westeners believed that reform could only be brought on through adopting policies from
Western Europe
• Slavophiles believed that Russia should maintain its traditional culture
• Reform could only come from the Tsar, however he would not decrease his power and
influence
• Alexander II decreased control over the press and universities, introduced local councils
called Zemstra and legal reforms, as he hoped this would decrease opposition to the Tsar
• Alexander III reversed this, setting up government controlled courts, removing liberal
politicians, increased the power of the Okhrana and decreased the power of local councils
• Nicholas II inherited these policies, with many believing he did not understand Russia’s
problems
• Pobedenostev was Nicholas II’s tutor and advisor, and was chief minister until 1905
• He was very conservative, introducing russification, the controlling of minorities to
maintain Russian culture, and pogroms, the persecution of Jews
Economic Reform Under Witte:
• Believed that the only way to advance Russia was to adopt policies of Western European
countries, he advocated state capitalism
• Imported engineers and technicians from Western Europe to aid with this
• Was responsible for the great spurt, where the economy was boosted rapidly
• Began the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, which hoped to connect remote parts
of Russia to the capitals and boost trade and export while also promoting migration to the
remote parts
