A2 Reactionary

Question 1

Who tried to assassinate the Tsar?

Answer 1

Dmitry Karakozov.

Question 2

What event encouraged assassination attempts?

Answer 2

• Polish revolution 1863.

Question 3

Who took advantage of A2’s fear of assassination to secure his conversion to conservatism?

Answer 3

• Pyotr Shuvalov, the head of the secret police.

Question 4

How were the educational reforms changed post-1866?

Answer 4

• Reduced power of zemstva over schools.
• Replaced more liberal Golovin with conservative Tolstoy.
• Traditional curriculums mandated in high schools.
• Only students from traditional schools could attend university from 1871.
• Stricter curriculums at universities.
• Banned extra-curricular student organisations.
• In 1873, the ministry of internal affairs was given the right to forbid certain topics of discussion.

Question 5

What factors were used to persuade the Tsar of the need for reactionary policies?

Answer 5

• Multiple further assassination attempts in ‘79 and ‘80.
• Russo-Turkish war was not a swift victory as promised (‘77-‘78), industrial recession and famine (1879-‘80). All fuelled discontent.
• Polish rebellion 1863.
• His wife had grown ill. His mistress, with whom he had a child, was publicly recognised. This proved scandalous.
• Fear of westernisation.

Question 6

What reactionary changes were made to the law courts post-1866?

Answer 6

• Pahlen promoted to minister of justice. Made an example of people.
• The failure of the trials of the 193 & and the 50 led to the introduction of jury-less political courts.

Question 7

What changes were made to police control post-1866?

Answer 7

• Pyotr Shuvalov appointed head of the 3rd section. Strengthened the police’s powers and increased observation.
• Increased number of searches and arrests.
• Okhrana created, massively feared and oppressive.

Question 8

Why did conservative ministers fear ‘Western ideas’?

Answer 8

• They feared that the peasantry would become empowered and overthrow them.

Question 9

How did attitudes to ethnic minorities change post-1866?

Answer 9

Groups such as Poles, Finns and Jews were treated with far more hostility.

Question 10

What reforms did A2 continue post-1866?

Answer 10

• Extension in public education throughout the period.
• More teacher training colleges set up (under state control).
• No major changes made to Reuters’s economic reforms or Milyutin’s of the army. They continued in their positions as these reforms were seen as essential to the development of a prosperous state in the future.
• Demonstrations of disloyalty led to Alexander setting up a commission under General Loris-Melikov. He made immediate ministerial changes and a series of tax concessions. Released political prisoners, relaxed censorship, abolished Third Section.
• It was never signed.