Change and Continuity in Russia
Imperialism |
Imperialism is the take-over (usually by military means) and rule by one country over another country or territory that is substantially different to it in history and culture and is often geographically distant from it. The aims of imperialism may be economic profit, geopolitical advantage and in some cases settlement. Imperialism is usually justified by perceived strategic need and the spread of civilisation. This leads to the subjection of local populations to foreign government and substantial economic, political, social and cultural changes in the colonised country which provoke resistance and eventually anticolonial nationalism.
As can be seen from the source below, the Russian empire encompassed a large land mass. It is estimated that around 132 million people fell under the Russian empire, with 60% of these people of non-Russian heritage. With the majority of people having a cultural heritage different to that of the Tsar and those in leadership positions, one can see the difficulties faced by Tsar in connecting with the people and addressing the problems of society. We will soon see the significance of Imperialist ideas with the Russo-Japanese War and the problems of governing such a diverse and large empire. |
The class system |
While the numbers of Industrial workers began to grow in the second half of the 19th Century, industrialisation was slow. As a result, there was little change in the class system, with the overwhelming majority of the population still classed as agrarian peasantry.
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A socialist cartoon, published in Switzerland in 1900 by exiled opponents of Tsarism. It shows the social pyramid in imperial Russia.
Level 1: The Monarchy
Level 2: The Court (governing bodies)
Level 3: The Church
Level 4: The Army
Level 5: The middle class capitalists
Level 6: The peasants and the workers
Level 1: The Monarchy
Level 2: The Court (governing bodies)
Level 3: The Church
Level 4: The Army
Level 5: The middle class capitalists
Level 6: The peasants and the workers
The distribution of the population among these classes from the 1897 Census is shown the figure below.
References for this page
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Digitial History Reader (n.d.). Caricature of Class Exploitation in Russian Society, circa 1900. Retrieved from http://www.dhr.history.vt.edu/modules/eu/mod03_1917/images/ev_img03.jpg
Doyle, M. (1986). Empires. London: Cornell University Press.
Lynch, M. (1992). Access to History: Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894-1924 Fourth Edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton Educational.
Anderson, M., Low, A. & I. Keese (2007). Retrospective: Year 11 Modern History. Queensland: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
Digitial History Reader (n.d.). Caricature of Class Exploitation in Russian Society, circa 1900. Retrieved from http://www.dhr.history.vt.edu/modules/eu/mod03_1917/images/ev_img03.jpg
Doyle, M. (1986). Empires. London: Cornell University Press.
Lynch, M. (1992). Access to History: Reaction and Revolution: Russia 1894-1924 Fourth Edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton Educational.
Imperialism extended reading
Imperialism and Missionaries
- Sometimes missionaries supported empire through the protection it gave local peoples from traders EG. Missionaries supported British intrusion in New Zealand as it offered the native people protection from the immoral actions and ideas of the traders.
- In other cases, missionaries worked against the imperial state EG. Missionaries distanced themselves from the British state in China as a result of their association with Opium trade.
- Missionaries may have involved themselves in other nations, before, in conjunction with or after the imperial state’s invasion.
- One of the most famous instances of imperial atrocities is that of King Leopold (Belgium) in the Congo. The working conditions in the rubber plantations and penalties for not meeting quota or misbehaving were extremely harsh. These atrocities were so bad that it got human rights group’s interest. Eventually King Leopold had to cede the territory to the state of Belgium.
- New and increased interactions with other cultures through imperialism were bound to influence society. However, most think about changes to society in terms of the subjugated nation as a result of assimilation style policies and the introduction of new technology among other commodities. Many in the western world do not think to think critically about the legacy of imperialism within the imperial power’s society.
- The British Empire was one of the biggest of its time, largely due to its superior naval capacities. British society underwent significant changes in the age of imperialism including medicines and religious sites built for visiting soldier. However, if we look closer, one of the most stereotypical aspects of British society, that is tea, originated from British imperial nations like Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka).
- Imperialism also affects society today, in the cultural diversity of the state, the interactions with other nations and the legacies of various policies (as in Australia). For example, Russian imperialist actions influence the conflicts with Chechnya and the Ukraine in contemporary society.
- The treatment of the native culture varies depending on the imperial power, the time period (which would have been influenced by the dominant discourse and ideas in society) and must be analysed on a case by case basis.
- For example, Britain liked to showcase cultural differences and discoveries in Museums and film. One can see the obvious propagandistic purposes of such actions, which supported the idea within Britain that it was the “white man’s burden”, a moral mission to help these primitive people.
- Another example is that of the French in Vietnam, whereby a sort of war of attrition against culture was conducted (assimilation policies). This type of action was not limited to the French empire, as many are aware of the British treatment of indigenous peoples in Australia.
- Science and exploration went hand in hand with imperialism. Plant biodiversity in different countries led to the experimentation and creation of new medicines that we rely on today.
- The introduction of contact between different peoples inevitably meant the introduction of sickness and disease. European sicknesses such as small pox wiped out mass amounts of native peoples, while tropical diseases such as yellow fever significantly affected those who were new to the country.
References for the extended reading
Aldrich, R. & McKenzie, K. (2013). The Routledge History Of Western Empires. London: Routledge.
Aldrich, R. & McKenzie, K. (2013). The Routledge History Of Western Empires. London: Routledge.