Impacts on the Russian System of Government

Impacts on the Russian System of Government

The Russian Tsarist system under the Rumanovs was extremely resistant

to change in all forms. Reforms were brought in only to preserve and

little improvement resulted from these reforms. In this essay I will

attempt to examine whether or not war had any impact upon the Tsarist

system of government, and whether or not war brought about any changes

to the system.

First, the war with Napoleon that ended in 1815 with the Vienna

settlement. Tsar Alexander I, Tsar at this time, had a genuine wish to

reform, but because of the desire for order instilled in him by his

Father Tsar Paul, his good intentions came to nothing. His military

victories against Napoleon played a vital role in the eventual defeat

of Napoleon's forces. Consequently, these victories brought power and

prestige to Russia and increased her standing as a great power. La

Harpe, a French liberal, had tutored Alexander and this had resulted

in him having some very liberal ideas. However, despite his positive

attitude towards reform in other European countries, its

implementation of these reforming tendencies in Russia was limited.

This was due to his desire for order. Alexander was petrified of

losing control and consequently, when reform and improvement was

presented to him, he often turned his back on it, because of the chaos

he feared might accompany it. In a sense the victory against Napoleon

was probably not particularly beneficial for Russia. Even at this

stage, Russia was behind other European powers in its industrial and

economic development, and unlike Prussia, and even to some extent

Austria-Hungary, Russia learnt ...

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and assumptions in that after Nicholas II's abdication, and his

brother's refusal to become Tsar and given Alexi's unsuitability,

Russia was left without a Tsar. This situation could and should have

been averted had the Tsar been will to give up part of his absolute

autocratic power for a more reasonable, rational and diverse system of

government. In my opinion, it was necessary for the Tsar to give some

form of constitutional Monarchy, and consequently increase reform

within Russia to improve the country in economic and military terms so

that it was up to date with the rest of Europe. However, whilst the

Tsar maintained absolute power improvement was near impossible. Even

war had no impact on the Tsars intent to preserve the Tsarist system

and, ultimately it was Russia and the Russian people who suffered.