Russia in the 1950s

Russia in the 1850s:

• Russia appeared to be strong and dominant - land mass = ⅙ of the Earth

• Problems:

  • Population:

    • High population

    • Dispersed

    • Difficult to control

    • Different nationalities & languages

  • Weather/ Climate:

    • Cold winters

    • Inhospitable

    • Affected harvests & food supplies

  • Communication:

    • Difficult

    • Took a long time

• Russia regarded as backwards in 3 main areas:

  • Political:

    • No separation between Church and State

    • Tsar had absolute power over Church finance

    • Church supported gov. by preaching obedience

    • Tsar choose his ministers

  • Economic:

    • Low goods output - 300,000 tonnes of coal vs. GB’s 50,200,000 tonnes

    • Poor railways

  • Social:

    • Russian homes has ‘Red Corner’ for icons - very religious

    • Religious celebrations determined nations holidays

    • Russian Orthodox Church was main religion

    • Decembrist Revolt, 1825

    • Jewish Pale…