The term AUTOCRATIC, AS OLD RUSSIA can be summarized as the Tsarist rule of Russia. Tsarism was a form of autocratic rule in which a Tsar, or emperor, held absolute power over the country. This system of government was in place in Russia from the 16th century until the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Tsar was seen as a divine figure and had complete control over the country's laws, economy, and military.