The 'Pillars of Autocracy' The Tsarist state system had developed over a long period. The Tsar's authority was supported by several features, which have become known as the 'Pillars of Autocracy'. The Orthodox Church The Tsar was the head of the Church. Accordingly, the Church reinforced his authority. the huge peasant population, the Church was very influential. Official Church doctrine stated that the Tsar was appointed by God, and that any challenge to the Tsar - the 'Little Father' - was an insult to God. The Church made sure that peasants kept on hearing this message. The Civil Service The Civil Service was made up of administrators and officials who carried out the instructions of the Tsar and his Ministers. They were appointed and paid by the Tsarist state and were very loyal to it. The Police In Tsarist Russia, the police had a vital role in keeping watch for enemies of the Tsar, and arresting them as required. Particularly important here was the the secret police. Agents of the Okhrana, Okhrana worked undercover, infiltrating organisations and groups which might present a danger to the Tsar. Censorship All books and newspapers in Russia were censored so that people would not be influenced by liberal or socialist ideas. Any material which was thought to be dangerous was banned. Any person trying to circulate banned books or newspapers ran the risk of being detected by the Okhrana. The Law The Tsarist legal system was designed to support autocracy and Tsarist authority. A standard punishment for opponents of the Tsar was exile to the remote region of Siberia. Many thousands of people seen to be enemies of the state were sent to Siberia where they were so far away that they had little chance of threatening Tsarist power. The Army The Tsar had a huge army, and it was a very effective of enforcing Tsarist power. At times of civil unrest, because of high food
The 'Pillars of Autocracy' The Tsarist state system had developed over a long period. The Tsar's authority was supported by several features, which have become known as the 'Pillars of Autocracy'. The Orthodox Church The Tsar was the head of the Church. Accordingly, the Church reinforced his authority. the huge peasant population, the Church was very influential. Official Church doctrine stated that the Tsar was appointed by God, and that any challenge to the Tsar - the 'Little Father' - was an insult to God. The Church made sure that peasants kept on hearing this message. The Civil Service The Civil Service was made up of administrators and officials who carried out the instructions of the Tsar and his Ministers. They were appointed and paid by the Tsarist state and were very loyal to it. The Police In Tsarist Russia, the police had a vital role in keeping watch for enemies of the Tsar, and arresting them as required. Particularly important here was the Okhrana, the secret police. Agents of the Okhrana worked undercover, infiltrating organisations and groups which might present a danger to the Tsar. Censorship All books and newspapers in Russia were censored so that people would not be influenced by liberal or socialist ideas. Any material which was thought to be dangerous was banned. Any person trying to circulate banned books or newspapers ran the risk of being detected by the Okhrana. The Law The Tsarist legal system was designed to support autocracy and Tsarist authority. A standard punishment for opponents of the Tsar was exile to the remote region of Siberia. Many thousands of people seen to be enemies of the state were sent to Siberia where they were so far away that they had little chance of threatening Tsarist power. The Army The Tsar had a huge army, and it was a very effective of enforcing Tsarist power. At times of civil unrest, because of high food
russian_revolution_and_civil_war_notes.docx