Question

Which was not a major cause of Russian weakness in the mid-1800s?

autocratic rule

serfdom

shortages of land

defeat in the Crimean War

Answer 1

"Shortages of land" was not a major cause of Russian weakness in the mid-1800s, since Russia actually had by far the most land and resources of any European country. 

Answer 2

The correct answer is shortages of land

As a matter of fact, it was quite the opposite. The largest part of the land was completely uninhabited because of the harsh living conditions in those areas. If someone wanted land they could literally just went anywhere westwards or north and procured land easily if they wanted to live there. The other reasons did however cause Russian weakness.