Russia in 1856

Task

• Read the handout and complete the handout

A Brief Summary of Russia

Politically

• Led by an autocratic Tsar (Alexander II)
• Main principles = Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality
• Position strengthened by the Russian Orthodox Church

Socially

• Only 50% of Russians = ethnic Russians
• 20-25% of the 69m population = Muslims, 8% = Jews
• 94% of the population worked in agruculture

Economically

• Hadn't industrialised
• Falling significantly behind the rest of Europe
• But, had huge potential due to vast national resources
• The critics of serfdom were intensifying

Alexander II inherited this Empire in March 1856. What problems would you envisage his reign encountering?