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Trying to preserve autocracy, 1855–1894

Autocracy, Reform and Revolution: Russia, 1855–1917: Trying to preserve autocracy, 1855–1894

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90 min

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AqaA LevelHistory1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964

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Trying to preserve autocracy, 1855–18946 objectives

Political authority and the state of Russia: autocracy; the political, social and economic condition of Russia in 1855 and the impact of the Crimean War.
Political authority and attempts at reform: Alexander II; emancipation of the serfs and attempts at domestic and military reform.
Government and Tsars: Alexander II and Alexander III as rulers; attitudes to and imposition of autocracy; key developments.
Political authority in action: Russification; treatment of ethnic minorities and Jews.
Opposition: ideas and ideologies; individuals; liberals and radical groups and the Tsarist reaction.
Economic and social developments: industrial developments and the land issue; social divisions; nobles, landowners and position of the peasantry; the cultural influence of the Church.

SerfdomReformAutocracyNationalismLiberalism

Focus on cause and effect: When discussing reforms, clearly link them to the causes that necessitated them and their effects on autocracy.
Use specific examples: When discussing reforms, always include specific examples and their impacts to support your arguments.

Confusing the outcomes of the Crimean War: In reality, the war exposed weaknesses that undermined the Tsar's authority and prompted the need for reforms.
Overgeneralizing the impact of reforms: It's important to evaluate the mixed outcomes of the reforms, acknowledging both their successes in modernization and their failures in addressing social unrest.

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