alexander III

Question 1

What event led to Alexander III’s ascension to the throne?

Answer 1

His father died at the hands of the People’s Will

Question 2

How was Alexander III described in terms of his personal attributes?

Answer 2

A man of great personal authority, with a commanding air and great physical strength

Question 3

What was the nature of Alexander III’s reign?

Answer 3

Extremely autocratic with a traditional view of his position as tsar

Question 4

What was Alexander III’s approach to political and social reforms?

Answer 4

Unwilling to introduce any political or social reforms in Russia

Question 5

What was the purpose of Alexander III’s reaction to his father’s reforms?

Answer 5

To undermine his father’s reforms and suppress opposition groups

Question 6

What powers did the Statute of State Security (1881) grant the government?

Answer 6

• Prohibit gatherings of more than 12 people
• Prosecute individuals for political crimes
• Introduce emergency police rule
• Set up special courts outside the legal system
• Close schools, universities, and newspapers

Question 7

What did the Zemstva Act (1890) do regarding local government?

Answer 7

Decreased the independence of local councils, allowing central government interference

Question 8

What was the role of ‘Land Captains’ created under Alexander III?

Answer 8

Reestablished power of landed nobility over the peasantry, overriding Zemstva election results and decisions

Question 9

What did the 1882 Statute on Police Surveillance allow?

Answer 9

Police could search, arrest, detain, and imprison not only criminals but anyone related to them

Question 10

Who led the Department of Police from 1881 to 1884?

Answer 10

Plehve

Question 11

What was the purpose of the special government courts created under the Statute of State Security?

Answer 11

To work outside the regular court system

Question 12

What restrictions were imposed on universities under Alexander III?

Answer 12

• Appointments subject to Education Ministry approval
• Closed to women
• Restricted education for lower class children

Question 13

What was the impact of censorship during Alexander III’s reign?

Answer 13

All literary publications needed approval, and censorship extended to theatre, art, and culture

Question 14

What ideology did Alexander III develop for his reign?

Answer 14

‘Autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationalism’

Question 15

What positive changes occurred despite Alexander III’s counter reforms?

Answer 15

• Reduced redemption fees for ex-serfs in 1881
• Abolished poll tax in 1885
• Introduced inheritance tax

Question 16

What was the goal of Russification under Alexander III?

Answer 16

To merge all subjects into a single nation with a shared identity

Question 17

What were the consequences of Russification in Finland?

Answer 17

Weakened political influence and imposed the Russian language

Question 18

How did Alexander III’s policies affect Jews in the Russian Empire?

Answer 18

Increased anti-Semitism and led to violent pogroms

Question 19

What triggered the Jewish pogroms between 1881-84?

Answer 19

Business competition or encouragement by the Okhrana linked to Alexander II’s assassination

Question 20

What were the May Laws of 1882?

Answer 20

Condemned Jews to live in ghettos in cities and towns

Question 21

What was the impact of anti-Semitism on the Jewish population?

Answer 21

• Many left the country
• Foreign Jews deported from Russia
• Expulsions from cities like Moscow

Question 22

What economic policies did Vyshnegradsky implement?

Answer 22

• Increased indirect taxes
• Reduced imports with tariffs
• Negotiated loans from France

Question 23

What was the outcome of Vyshnegradsky’s policies?

Answer 23

Led to famine in 1891 and his dismissal in 1892

Question 24

What was Witte’s main goal as appointed by Alexander III?

Answer 24

Economic modernization and improving living conditions

Question 25

What was the significance of the Trans-Siberian Railway?

Answer 25

Allowed transfer of raw materials across Russia

Question 26

How did industrial growth affect the Russian economy?

Answer 26

Annual economic growth rose to over 8% per year from 1894-1904

Question 27

What was the impact of industrialization on the social structure?

Answer 27

Established a new middle class and urban working class

Question 28

What characterized the living conditions of urban factory workers?

Answer 28

Overcrowded barracks, high rents, inadequate sanitation

Question 29

What were the main divides within the peasantry?

Answer 29

Divided into kulaks and poorer peasants

Question 30

How did the Orthodox Church influence Russian society?

Answer 30

Close bond with the tsarist regime and control over education

Question 31

What was the reaction to opposition groups after Alexander II's assassination?

Answer 31

Increased repression and clamp-down on opposition

Question 32

What shift occurred in opposition groups by the late 1880s?

Answer 32

Intelligentsia became more interested in Marxism

Question 33

What was the outcome of the assassination of Alexander II for opposition?

Answer 33

Led to increased repression, yielding no benefits for opponents

Question 34

What were the main opposition groups in Russia during the late 19th century?

Answer 34

Populism, Marxism, and Liberalism ## Footnote Populism was flagging by the late 1880s, while Marxism gained traction among the intelligentsia. Liberals sought reforms within autocracy.

Question 35

What led to the decline of Populism by the late 1880s?

Answer 35

Failure of tactics and lack of results ## Footnote Neither terrorist tactics nor 'going to the people' were effective.

Question 36

How did the assassination of Alexander II affect opposition groups?

Answer 36

Increased repression of opponents ## Footnote The assassination yielded no benefits and led to harsher measures against dissent.

Question 37

What was the response of Populism to the famine of 1890-1?

Answer 37

Revival of interest in Populism ## Footnote The government's incompetence during the famine highlighted issues and stirred renewed interest.

Question 38

What group was formed as the main traditional Marxist Party in Russia?

Answer 38

Social Democrats ## Footnote They emerged from small groups, with the Emancipation of Labour being a key organization.

Question 39

Who was a key figure in the formation of the Emancipation of Labour?

Answer 39

George Plekhanov ## Footnote He established the group in 1883 and advocated for long-term socialist revolution.

Question 40

What was the stance of Marxists towards the peasants in the 1880s according to Plekhanov?

Answer 40

Waste of time to convert them ## Footnote Plekhanov believed focus should be on spreading radical ideas for a socialist revolution.

Question 41

What factors contributed to the growth of Liberal opposition in the 1890s?

Answer 41

Great Famine, reduced zemstva powers, and need for educated middle class involvement ## Footnote The famine exposed government incompetence and sparked liberal beliefs in national governance.

Question 42

What was the primary belief of Liberals in Russia during this period?

Answer 42

Individual freedom and reforming autocracy ## Footnote They aimed to increase freedom through reforms rather than outright overthrow.

Question 43

True or False: The intelligentsia showed interest in Marxism due to Russia's economic conditions.

Answer 43

True ## Footnote Rapid industrialization made Marxism appealing to the educated elite.

Question 44

What was the impact of Alexander III's reaction on opposition groups?

Answer 44

Arrests, exile, and execution of leaders ## Footnote This reaction led to a significant decline in radical activities.

Question 45

Fill in the blank: The _______ was a more moderate side of Populism that continued on a smaller scale.

Answer 45

People’s Will ## Footnote The group was re-formed in 1887 despite the overall decline of Populism.

Question 46

What methods did Marxists use to spread their ideas in the 1890s?

Answer 46

Illegal trade unions and discussion circles ## Footnote These activities emerged as Marxist ideas began to proliferate during industrialization.

Question 47

Who was a notable liberal figure and novelist during this period?

Answer 47

Leo Tolstoy ## Footnote He was associated with the liberal opposition and advocated for reforms.