Comparison of Russia and Britain, 1850-1900
“Make a comparison of Russia and Britain in the period 1850 – 1900. How true is it to say that Russia was a ‘backward country’?”
Countries develop at different rates at different times. While Britain had started to industrialise and modernise prior to 1850, is it true to say that Russia was as successful in trying to develop before the start of the 20th century or were they still considered a backward country by that time?
Prior to and during the period 1850 - 1900, Russia was controlled by a Tsarist autocracy where all power and wealth was controlled by the Tsar, and in 1855 Tsar Alexander II succeeded Nicholas I and started to initiate many monumental reforms in various areas. Though a conservative, Alexander II saw the need for change – a fact that suggested Russia might start to become a developed country under his reign. But this was not the case. The Tsar reformed local governments in 1864 to give locally elected self-governments called ‘zemstvos’ the responsibility for local schools, public health, roads, prisons, food and other concerns, and city councils called ‘duma’ were elected in 1870 to raise taxes. Despite this, the Tsar was the only governor of Russia – his power could not be challenged (only by violent rebellion) and there was no parliament to support him. This meant the country was politically backwards, as a modern democracy was out of the question for Russia and the Tsarist autocracy.
Contrastingly, Britain was taking the first steps towards a democracy during this time. The government was under stress because the working class felt underrepresented; the politicians were all upper class and elected by 7% of the population – upper class males only. Riots and marches took place in 1866 which led to Gladstone’s Third Reform Act, giving working class males the vote, and the Ballot Act which allowed voters to vote secretly for who they really wanted to choose. In comparison to Russia’s governmental system of the time, Britain’s was vastly more
Countries develop at different rates at different times. While Britain had started to industrialise and modernise prior to 1850, is it true to say that Russia was as successful in trying to develop before the start of the 20th century or were they still considered a backward country by that time?
Prior to and during the period 1850 - 1900, Russia was controlled by a Tsarist autocracy where all power and wealth was controlled by the Tsar, and in 1855 Tsar Alexander II succeeded Nicholas I and started to initiate many monumental reforms in various areas. Though a conservative, Alexander II saw the need for change – a fact that suggested Russia might start to become a developed country under his reign. But this was not the case. The Tsar reformed local governments in 1864 to give locally elected self-governments called ‘zemstvos’ the responsibility for local schools, public health, roads, prisons, food and other concerns, and city councils called ‘duma’ were elected in 1870 to raise taxes. Despite this, the Tsar was the only governor of Russia – his power could not be challenged (only by violent rebellion) and there was no parliament to support him. This meant the country was politically backwards, as a modern democracy was out of the question for Russia and the Tsarist autocracy.
Contrastingly, Britain was taking the first steps towards a democracy during this time. The government was under stress because the working class felt underrepresented; the politicians were all upper class and elected by 7% of the population – upper class males only. Riots and marches took place in 1866 which led to Gladstone’s Third Reform Act, giving working class males the vote, and the Ballot Act which allowed voters to vote secretly for who they really wanted to choose. In comparison to Russia’s governmental system of the time, Britain’s was vastly more