4.1 Russification

Question 1

Give an example of problems caused by ethnic minorities (3)

Answer 1

• Polish nationalisation caused a rebellion in 1830
• 1840’s Finnish language pressure group set up
• Ukraine had a secret group which provoked national consciousness aimed at separating Ukrainian Slavs from their Russian counterparts

Question 2

How many ethnic groups were there in Russia

Answer 2

100

Question 3

What was Alexander II’s stance towards ethnic minorities?

Answer 3

Alexander II was more concerned about control rather than racial superiority

• He dealt quickly with the polish rebellion crushing the 200,000 supporters

Question 4

What religion was encouraged under Alexander II?

Answer 4

Trick question! Alexander II allowed Latvians and Estonians to revert back to Lutheranism where previously Orthodoxy had been allowed

Question 5

What was Alexander III’s stance towards ethnic minorities?

Answer 5

Alexander III was a keen proponent of Russification

Question 6

What was the Official creed of Pobedonostsev and what was suggested by Pares from this?

Answer 6

‘Autocracy, Orthodoxy, Nationality’,

• a theory of Russia’s apartness from the rest of the world

Question 7

What was a change to Baltic Germans from Alexander II to Alexander III?

Answer 7

Baltic Germans had been under Alexander II’s protection now faced russification

Question 8

What religion was encouraged under Alexander III?

• How did he impose this from 1883?

Answer 8

Orthodox church encouraged everywhere. 37,000 Lutherans converted

• 1883 non-Orthodox Churches were not allowed to build new places of worship, wear religious dress or spread propaganda

Question 9

What were the results of Russification? (4)

Answer 9

• Some wealthier citizens emigrated
• Some were persuaded to join political opposition groups
• June 1888 332 cases of mass disruption, in 51 of these cases the military employed
• Russification caused resentment among the more educated minorities