Correct spelling for the English word "tsarist" is [tsˈɑːɹɪst], [tsˈɑːɹɪst], [t_s_ˈɑː_ɹ_ɪ_s_t] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Tsarist refers to a political, social, and economic system that was prevalent in Russia before the Russian Revolution of 1917. The term is derived from the title of the ruler, known as the Tsar or Tsarina, which means emperor or empress in Russian. Tsarist Russia was characterized by autocracy, where the power was concentrated in the hands of the Tsar or Tsarina, who held absolute authority over the government and the people.
In the tsarist system, the rulers claimed to have divine right to rule, believing they were chosen by God. They exercised their authority through a centralized and bureaucratic administration, which maintained control over the vast Russian Empire. The society was highly hierarchical, with the ruling class consisting of the nobility and the clergy, while the majority of the population, including peasants and workers, were subject to their control.
Economically, tsarist Russia relied heavily on agriculture, particularly serfdom, where peasants worked on land owned by the nobles in exchange for protection. Industrialization and modernization were relatively limited in this era, with a large portion of the population living in poverty and facing harsh conditions.
The term tsarist is often used to describe the period and policies associated with the tsars, including their autocratic rule, suppression of political dissent, and resistance to social and political reforms. It is also used more broadly to refer to any political system that exhibits similar characteristics of autocracy and absolute monarchy.
The word "tsarist" is derived from the term "tsar", which was the title used for the rulers of Russia prior to the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. The word "tsar" itself has its origins in the Latin word "Caesar", which initially referred to the Roman emperors. Over time, the term "tsar" came to be used exclusively for the Russian rulers, emphasizing their autocratic power and authority. Therefore, "tsarist" relates to the characteristics, practices, or principles associated with the tsars or the tsarist regime in Russia.