Class 4: Tsar and Nobility · Very small segment of the Russian population but play an important role in society, they project authority, and see themselves in a special way · Formal association and organisation in a special hierarchy, usually gained through birth - special rights and privileges o System set around the principle of universal service Peasants and townspeople played a protective role System fell apart in 1861 when serfs were set free (but they were still tied to the towns) · Different categories of landed gentry - all amalgamated into one class . Peter deduced a table of ranks (8th rank upwards had a hereditary mobility) - you could make a career and move up the ranks . Many nobles continued as bureaucrats as this is where the power in society lay - aspirations in St Petersburg and Moscow · Certain uprootedness came with the state service - a local group could challenge one's position as nobles were sent back and forth o Peasants could misbehave as communication between nobles and peasantry was poor . By the end of the c. 19th, nobility made up 1.5% of the population and had huge economic and cultural differences (compared to the peasantry) o Dressed in Western fashion and spoke many languages e.g. French; very cultured Lower-class nobility faced severe debt and foreclosures · Attempted to avoid foreclosure by renting out their land o The nobility was in decline, living in ramshackle estates . New emerging industries from the second half of the c.19th - nobles were hardly entrepreneurs, but freed peasants . Nikolai Karamzin promoted the concept that the tsar was seen as a father figure and the nobles were his children - a special relation between the two · What is an autocracy? An absolute authority - tsar can do as he wishes, and against the nobles if he wants to o Difference to Western Europe - tsar had no legal constraints on his power Russia was an autocracy tempered by assassination !!
Traditions were reinforced under Alexander III after the assassination of Alexander II (who liberated the serfs) - he like old Russian traditions about strong knights, nationalism (Russian ethnic nationalism) . Alexander III: Changed his appearance when he came to the throne; grew a beard during wartime - sign of virility, Moscow's strength and power . He distrusted the new reforms . Dies unexpectedly in 1894 - succeeded by Nicholas II who was not prepared for the throne . Nicholas II admired his father's style of the strong man, but could not live up to it - insecure character, uncertain about state officials and institutions, distrusted laws that constrained his power and decision-making o Both Nicholas and his wife, Alexandre, preferred a private family life and did not feel at ease amongst high society When Nicholas was met with demands by the nobility, he reacted rather dismissively and called them 'senseless dreams' - foreshadowed what his rule would be about · Astonished merchants, nobles, and other officials