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# Russia in 1855: Autocracy and the Need for Change ## Part 1: Trying to Preserve Autocracy (1855-1894) ### 1 The Russian Autocracy in 1855 In 1855, Russia was a vast empire covering approximately 21 million square kilometers. It comprised diverse ethnic groups with different cultures, customs,...

# Russia in 1855: Autocracy and the Need for Change ## Part 1: Trying to Preserve Autocracy (1855-1894) ### 1 The Russian Autocracy in 1855 In 1855, Russia was a vast empire covering approximately 21 million square kilometers. It comprised diverse ethnic groups with different cultures, customs, languages, and religions. The empire's unity was primarily maintained through the power of the Tsar and the Russian Orthodox Church. **Key aspects of the Russian Autocracy:** * **The Nobility:** Maintained order on their estates and played roles as provincial governors or in Tsar-appointed committees. * **The Bureaucracy:** Paid civil servants (noble officials) who held ranks within a system that carried orders from the central government throughout the provinces and districts. Corruption and inefficiency were common issues. * **The Army:** Conscripted serfs comprised this large force, with service lasting 25 years and a significant portion (45%) of the annual budget. The military was useful for war and maintaining order. However, the structure and technology were outdated. * **The Police State:** Russia was a police state. Freedom of speech, press, and travel was severely limited. Political meetings and strikes were banned. Censorship and secret surveillance via the "Third Section" were pervasive. * **Serfdom:** More than 50% of the population consisted of peasant serfs, considered property of their owners. Nearly half were privately owned, while others were 'state serfs' and paid taxes/rent. Serfs were often illiterate and hostile to change due to their poor living conditions. ### The Economic and Social Context **Economic Situation:** Russia in 1855 was largely agrarian and lagged behind industrialized countries like Britain, France, and the German states. The harsh climate and vast territory limited economic development. The serf-based economy hindered the growth of a wage-earning class and entrepreneurship. Internal market demand was also relatively weak. **Social Situation:** Societal divisions existed between the privileged landowning elite, and the serf majority (the productive class). * **Wage-earners:** Serfs were largely impoverished, relying on subsistence farming with little hope of economic advancement.  * **Entrepreneurs:** The landowning elite could acquire resources by exploiting serfs, but there were few incentives or avenues for entrepreneurship. * **Internal Market Demand:** Limited. Goods were often exchanged rather than bought or sold in markets. **Impact of the Crimean War** (1853 - 1856) The Crimean War, a conflict with the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire across the Black Sea, highlighted Russia's military and administrative vulnerabilities. Russia experienced several defeats and the Treaty of Paris (1856) severely restricted Russian naval power in the Black Sea. The failure highlighted the need for significant reforms in Russia. ### Political Developments By the 19th century, liberal ideas spread from the West, and many Russian intellectuals advocated for a civil society based on the rule of law. However, Tsar Nicholas I (reigned 1825-1855) enforced repression in an attempt to maintain autocracy. This ultimately culminated in the Crimean War defeat, leading to the need for change, and the rise of Alexander II. **(Note:** The provided text contains tables and diagrams that cannot currently be displayed in markdown format. However, descriptions have been integrated into the summary.)