Alexander II - Political Authority 1885-1881 Flashcards
What was the secret police called?
The Third Section
How was Russia a police state?
- prevented people’s freedom of speech
- prevented freedom to press
- prevented freedom to travel abroad
How significant was the army?
- 1.5 million conscripted serfs
- absorbed 45% of government spending
Who were the Cossacks?
Ukrainian and southern Russian - skilled in horsemanship and military division
How long was military service?
25 years
What did the Cossacks do?
They acted as a personal bodyguard to the Tsar
Who was the Tsar?
The leader of Russia
What role did the Tsar also have?
Leader of Russian Orthodox Church
What was the Tsar’s nickname?
‘Little Father’
What was an ‘Edict’?
The law of the land
What was the bureaucracy?
Complied with civil servants, paid noble officials etc
When was the Emancipation Edict?
1861
How many serfs were freed?
51 million
What was Alexander II’s nickname?
‘Tsar Liberator’
What did Alexander II say about reforms?
‘Reform from above, rather than below’
What had Alexander II done between 1858-59?
Toured the countryside and made speeches about emancipation
What power was given to the Mir?
To distribute land and control the farming
Why was there a 2 year period?
This was a ‘temporary obligation’ before freedom
When were state serfs freed?
1866
How long were redemption payments to be made?
49 years
What was the Loris Melikov constitution?
1880 response to the demands of the Zemstva
Who was Loris Melikov?
Minister of Internal Affairs
When was the Third Section abolished?
1880
When was the Okhrana formed?
1881
When was the Loris Melikov constitution signed?
13 March 1881
When was Alexander II assassinated?
13 March 1881
