Alexander II’s Later Years

Question 1

What was a reason for his reactionary policies

Answer 1

-wife had TB + tsar sought consolidation in mistress Yekaterina
-this distracted him from reforming elements
-became more aloof due to this + assassination attempts
-became less inclined resist reactionary conservatives who believed reforming instincts gone too far

Question 2

What did the reactionaries fear + want

Answer 2

-feared spread ‘western’ ideas through liberal unis + freer press
-argued ethnic minorities with their different religions were diluting Russian strength

Question 3

Want liberal ministers did he replace with more conservative ones?

Answer 3

-Dimitry Tolstoy minister education replacing Golovin
-Timashev minister internal affairs replacing Valuev
-Shuvalov head of Third Section
-Konstantin Pahlen minster justice