Autocracy In 19th Century Russia

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The government of 19th century Russia was an absolute monarchy autocracy controlled by the tsar. In this system the tsar had power that was only limited by the Pauline Laws. He ruled by divine mandate and him and the aristocracy used fear to control the peasants. According to the history of Russia by idk, Catherine the Great’s autocracy system “was always a theoretical construct that in practice never worked the way she would [have liked] to believe” (69). The autocracy, contrary to Catherine’s belief, was in place not for the benefit of society, but only so that the elite wouldn’t lose their position in society. This system was almost replaced when Alexander I planned reform, but he suffered from bipolar disorder and changed his mind last…show more content…
It was quite similar to the modern American system. The courts are separated from the administrative powers of government, more commonly known as the judicial branch being separate from the executive branch, and the systems include two parts of the system that meet, if necessary, at the highest court of the land. The first part of the Russian system was for smaller crimes, and it was based on English models of courts. The second part was for larger, more important crimes and was based on French models. It also USED the French and English VIRTUES of equality before law and public trials. Hearings were held before a judge and jury system. Concluding…show more content…
Prior to the Napoleonic Wars, the Russian army resembled ancient armies: there was no real power above the regimental level, their officers came almost exclusively from the aristocracy, the soldiers were beaten to instill obedience, and all the troops were poorly trained in combat. During the War of 1812, the army created a revolutionary strategy called “scorched earth” (Russian history 76) in which they kept retreating and burned everything, so that when Napoleon arrived there, would be no supplies for him (Napoleon's army used the resources available instead of bringing supplies because railroads were scarce in Russia at this time and because the supplies was not easily transported). After the Napoleonic Wars, the Imperial army was reorganized based on French armies. After the major disappointment of the Crimean War a series of reforms were established under Alexander II. Prior to these reforms the term of service was life, then decreased to twenty years plus five in reserve in 1834, and then to twelve years plus three in reserve in 1855. This service length was shortened even more to six years plus nine in reserve. Also military academies where children were forced to go if they misbehaved were abolished. An elementary education was also offered to draftees and volunteers. These three reforms were designed to strengthen the trust between the army and the people
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