3. Alexander III

Question 1

Who was Alexander III’s tutor?

Answer 1

Konstantin Podedonostsev. Very conservative. Known as the ‘Black Tsar’.

Question 2

What was the Manifesto of Unshakeable Autocracy?

Answer 2

• Issued by Alex III in 1881
• Law on exceptional measures: A commander-in-chief can be appointed ruler of any locality and martial law imposed, with military courts.

Question 3

Who was hanged publicly at the start of Alexander III’s reign?

Answer 3

Those who’d tried to kill his father.

Question 4

What were Alexander III’s changes to local govt?

Answer 4

• 1889: Land Captains introduced. Appointed by central govt. Could overturn zemstvo decisions.
• 1890: Peasants’ proportion of vote in zemstva elections further reduced.

Question 5

What were Alexander III’s changes to policing?

Answer 5

• Okhrana replaced Third Section as secret police. Led by von Plehve (1881-84).
• More spies, agents provocateurs and general police presence.
• 1883: any area of the empire could be deemed an Area of Subversion. Police could go in and arrest + punish anyone they wanted to.

Question 6

What were Alexander III’s changes to the judiciary?

Answer 6

• 1889: Ministry of Justice responsible for appointing town judges.
• Also 1889: Volost courts put under control of Land Captains.

Question 7

What were Alexander III’s changes to education?

Answer 7

• 1884: Appointments of uni professors overseen by Ministry of Education
• Working class and peasant children restricted to only primary education

Question 8

What were Alexander III’s changes to censorship?

Answer 8

• Journalists could be given a life ban.
• Govt could shut down publishers.

Question 9

What was the literacy rate in 1897 census?

Answer 9

21%