An assessment of the security of the Tsarist State before 1905

The Tsarist state was an autocracy - the Tsar had absolute power and all decisions were made by him.
Tsar Nicholas II believed in the divine right of Tsars to rule the kingdom, propagating an undemocratic and authoritarian style.
Orthodox Church supported the power of the Tsar, reinforcing the perception of his rule as divinely ordained.
There was a strong bureaucratic structure with a responsible cabinet and government ministers to carry out the Tsar’s commands.
Censorship was prevalent. Printed materials had to be approved by the state, leading to an information blackout and preventing criticism of the Tsarist autocracy.

The Okhrana, or the Tsar’s Secret Police, were used to detect, infiltrate and arrest political dissidents to maintain security.
Large army and navy were instrumental in maintaining internal order and dealing with any signs of rebellion.

Peasants formed the majority of the population but struggled with poverty and land shortage.
There were some concessions to the peasantry by the Tsars through land reforms and loan packages as part of the Peasant Land Bank.
Industrialisation had led to a growing urban proletariat working in poor conditions with little financial compensation.
Trade unions were illegal hence limiting the rights of workers to complain over working conditions or demand better wages.
New industrial towns faced significant problems including overcrowding, poor sanitation, and high death rates due to disease.

There were several political groups opposed to the Tsar, including the Social Revolutionaries, the Social Democrats, and the Liberals.
These groups had very different aims, but they all sought reformation or overthrow of the Tsarist state, thus posing a threat to its security.
However, these groups had varying degrees of support and influence among the masses, and hence, their ability to pose a serious challenge to the Tsarist system was limited.

By 1905, the Tsarist state was secure in its power and control. It had a large, loyal army, a strong system of internal security through the Okhrana, and held strong control over information through censorship.
However, it faced pressures from a dissatisfied peasantry, a growing industrial proletariat, and opposition from various political groups. These dynamics presented cracks in the facade of the Tsarist security and would become more evident in the years leading up to the 1905 Revolution.