Russia by 1855 L/O: To evaluate Russia’s political, economic and military situation by Submission may cause you to believe there is uniformity among us, but I must undeceive you; there is no other country where is found such diversity of races, of manners, of religion, and of mind as in Russia. The diversity lies at the bottom, the uniformity appears on the surface, and the unity is only apparent. Tsar Nicholas I quoted by the Marquis de Custine in 1843 What point is Nicholas I making about the perceptions and realities of the situation in Russia?

What can you learn about the situation in Russia? Look at the sources on the following slides. Make notes to show what you can learn about the situation in Russia by What problems would Tsar Alexander II have faced when he came to power in 1855?

Information from the 1897 census.

Revolutions in Russia 1606 – 1607: Bolotnikovs rebellion 1667: Bashkirs rebellion 1698: Streltsy Uprising 1707 – 1709: Bulavin Rebellion 1773 – 1775: Pugachev’s Rebellion 1825: Decembrist Revolt 1834 – 1859: Iman Shamil’s Rebellion

Extent of the Russian Empire

Multi-Cultural Empire?

War!

Alexander II’s Problems Read through pages 12 – 13 from Wells. Identify the main problems that Alexander II would have faced when he became Tsar in 1855.

Was Alexander II up to the challenge? Based on what you learnt about Alexander II during the last lesson do you think he was up to the job of ruling Russia?