Alexander II

the russian autocracy by 1855

the political context

the tsar

• 1855- russia was an autocratic empire
• at its head was a Tsar- took the title of 'Emperor and Autocrat of all Russia
• 'Collected Laws of the Russian Empire', Tsar Nicholas I, 1832- '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'

the church

• the Tsar was in name only the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church
• was regarded by Orthodox believers as the embodiment of God on Earth
• the vast lands of the Russian Empire were his private property
• the Russian people were his childrne
• Russians were taught to show devotion to their Tsar and accept their conditions on Earth as the will of God
• the Patriarch of Moscow provided spiritual guidance
• the Over-Procurator of the Holy Synod- government minister appointed by the Tsar to run church affairs
• the structures of Church and State were entwined
• archbishops and bishops at the head of the church hierarchy were subject to tsarist control over appointments, religious education, finances and issues of administration

the government

• the Tsar's imperial edicts were the law of the land
• the Tsar did have advisors and ministers- these were all chosen by the Tsar; no-one could do anything without the Tsar's approval
• the Imperial Council, Chancellery- body of 35-60 nobles specially picked by the Tsar to advise him personally and provide their 'expert' opinion
• council of ministers- body of 8-14 ministers in charge of different government departments
• senate- supposed to oversee all the workings of government; largely redundant by 1855

• Tsar and central government were based in the Imperial capital St Petersburg
• regime depended on the provincial nobility for support
• nobles hadn't been obliged to serve the State since 1785
• many continued to do so
• sense of obligation remained strong
• all landowners were expected to keep order on their estates
• tsars might choose to appoint a special committee to carry out an investigation or prepare a report
• usually headed by trusted nobles
• no need for the tsar to take any notice of their findings

the civil service

• civil servants who made up the bureaucracy were paid noble officials selected from a table of ranks that laid down the requirements for office
• 14 levels
• rank 1- members of the Council of Minsiters
• rank 14- covered the minor state positons e.g. collecting taxes
• each rank had its own uniform, form of address and status
• riddled by internal corruption and incompetence
• orders were passed downwards from the central government to the provincial governors and to district governers and town commandants
• one way operation
• no provision for suggestions to travel upwards from the lower ranks

army

• Tsar had the world's largest army at his disposal- 1.5 million conscripted serfs; forced into service for 25 years; made to live in a military colony
• much smaller navy
• absorbed 45% of the government's annual spending
• higher ranks of the miltary were…