Russia Under the Tsars

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Serfdom
Role of Tsars in the lives of citizens
The leadership of Ivan the terrible & Peter the Great
The growth of the city of St. Petersburg
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

In 1547, Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) was officially crowned the first Tsar of Russia. Officially, from his time the rule of the Tsars commenced. With the monarchy, continuing history of Russia saw a drastic alteration. From a minor monarchical state, Russia emerged as a major world power owing to the visions of various tsars who ruled during that period.

Serfdom

The Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia was the predecessor and most significant of all moderate reforms affected during the supremacy of Alexander II of Russia. The transformation in concert with a correlated reform in 1866 led to the eradication of serf dependence experienced by Russian provincials until that time.

The Emancipation Manifesto decreed the liberation of the serfs on private estates and the domestic serfs. Owing to this proclamation, over twenty-three million were granted emancipation. Serfs were given the status of free citizens with the conformity of all civil rights, in the likes of the privileges to marry with no obligation to seek approval, to have possession of personal property, and to be the owner of a business. The policy laid down the decree that enabled peasants to procure the properties from the property owners in exchange for some form of payment.

However, the serfs employed for domestic purposes were the most affected. They were only liberated and were left with no property of their own. On the other hand, State-owned serfs were liberated in 1866 and benefited from superior and better plots and lands.

Role of Tsars in the lives of citizens

With the rise of Tsar Alexander I, the initiative of transforming Russia’s political structure using creating a constitution, which would assure citizens of their autonomy and civil emancipation, gained immense popularity. During the period of influence of reform-minded Tsar Alexander II, Russia saw extreme transformations and felt the proximity of an adopted constitution in favor of the common person. The obliteration of serfdom in 1861 and measures to institute a local administration system in the cities and the countryside paved the way for a constitution beneficial for the society. Intense restructuring set in with the reform programs initiated by Tsar Nicholas II. The “Manifesto on Improving the State Order” of October 17, 1905, proclaimed, “the foundations of civil liberties based on genuine personal inviolability, freedom of conscience, speech, meeting, and association”. However, the realization of reformist proposals in tsarist Russia that initiated substantial transformation was continuously deferred due to various internal and external factors, with the lack of accord in society concerning their requisite and feasibility is the foremost reason. With numerous noteworthy historical events occurring in Russia, the series of widespread revolutions throughout the realm, where peasants captured and reallocated lands, expressed the discontent of the society towards the tsars which ultimately led to their downfall.

The leadership of Ivan the terrible & Peter the Great

Ivan – “The Terrible”

Ivan IV of Russia was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533. Ivan having accomplished much by administering several alterations in the evolution from a simple medieval state to a small realm and budding regional power was recognized as the “Tsar of All Russia” in 1547. His long epoch on the throne witnessed the invasion of the numerous territories and rapid expansion of occupied land, converting Russia into a broad-based and multiethnic realm.

The defamatory name of “Grozny” is associated with his strength, authority, and severity rather than the unfortunate performance, dreadfulness, or cruelty.

Peter – “The Great”

Peter I, reigned over Russia and later on the Russian Empire from 1682 until his death. Peter the Great implemented a strategy of Westernization and extension that converted the Tsardom of Russia into a 3-billion acre kingdom and uplifted its status as one of the most important European powers. Peter put into practice extensive reforms, which intended to renovate Russia. Profoundly influenced by his western counselors, Peter restructured the Russian militia based on European conventions and had a vision of transforming Russia into a naval power. His final years were accentuated by additional developments in Russia.

The growth of the city of St. Petersburg

On 1 May 1703, Peter the Great occupied the Swedish fortress on the Neva River in Ingria. Subsequently, he established the Peter and Paul Fortress a few kilometers from there, which turned out to be the stepping-stone of the new city. The city was constructed by recruited serfs from all across the empire, along with Swedish captives under the administration of Alexander Menshikov. Later it was transpired into the heart of Saint Petersburg Governorate. The tsar shifted his capital to Saint Petersburg in 1712 from Moscow. All through the initial years of its subsistence, the city grew instinctively around the Trinity Square, near the Peter and Paul Fortress. Nevertheless, Saint Petersburg shortly thereafter began developing according to a pre-arranged plan. With the liberation of the serfs carried out by Alexander II in 1861 and the initiation of the industrial revolution, the arrival of peasants into the city amplified to a huge extent. Poor areas impulsively materialized on the periphery of the capital. Saint Petersburg exceeded Moscow in terms of several inhabitants and industrial development and emerged as one of the most significant industrial centers and cities of Europe.

Conclusion

Life in the Tsardom of Russia witnessed various difficulties under different tsars. While some of them were powerful rulers and revolutionized the state of affairs in the empire there were a few weak rulers who crippled the realm. Tsars had a huge impact on the Russian culture and shaped the future of Russia until they saw a downward phase, and were eventually wiped out. (Riasanovsky, 227-9)

Works Cited

Riasanovsky, Nicholas Valentine; A History of Russia; (Oxford University Press, 2003)

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