alexander III Flashcards
What event led to Alexander III’s ascension to the throne?
His father died at the hands of the People’s Will
How was Alexander III described in terms of his personal attributes?
A man of great personal authority, with a commanding air and great physical strength
What was the nature of Alexander III’s reign?
Extremely autocratic with a traditional view of his position as tsar
What was Alexander III’s approach to political and social reforms?
Unwilling to introduce any political or social reforms in Russia
What was the purpose of Alexander III’s reaction to his father’s reforms?
To undermine his father’s reforms and suppress opposition groups
What powers did the Statute of State Security (1881) grant the government?
- 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
What did the Zemstva Act (1890) do regarding local government?
Decreased the independence of local councils, allowing central government interference
What was the role of ‘Land Captains’ created under Alexander III?
Reestablished power of landed nobility over the peasantry, overriding Zemstva election results and decisions
What did the 1882 Statute on Police Surveillance allow?
Police could search, arrest, detain, and imprison not only criminals but anyone related to them
Who led the Department of Police from 1881 to 1884?
Plehve
What was the purpose of the special government courts created under the Statute of State Security?
To work outside the regular court system
What restrictions were imposed on universities under Alexander III?
- Appointments subject to Education Ministry approval
- Closed to women
- Restricted education for lower class children
What was the impact of censorship during Alexander III’s reign?
All literary publications needed approval, and censorship extended to theatre, art, and culture
What ideology did Alexander III develop for his reign?
‘Autocracy, orthodoxy, and nationalism’
What positive changes occurred despite Alexander III’s counter reforms?
- Reduced redemption fees for ex-serfs in 1881
- Abolished poll tax in 1885
- Introduced inheritance tax
What was the goal of Russification under Alexander III?
To merge all subjects into a single nation with a shared identity
What were the consequences of Russification in Finland?
Weakened political influence and imposed the Russian language
How did Alexander III’s policies affect Jews in the Russian Empire?
Increased anti-Semitism and led to violent pogroms
What triggered the Jewish pogroms between 1881-84?
Business competition or encouragement by the Okhrana linked to Alexander II’s assassination
What were the May Laws of 1882?
Condemned Jews to live in ghettos in cities and towns
What was the impact of anti-Semitism on the Jewish population?
- Many left the country
- Foreign Jews deported from Russia
- Expulsions from cities like Moscow
What economic policies did Vyshnegradsky implement?
- Increased indirect taxes
- Reduced imports with tariffs
- Negotiated loans from France
What was the outcome of Vyshnegradsky’s policies?
Led to famine in 1891 and his dismissal in 1892
What was Witte’s main goal as appointed by Alexander III?
Economic modernization and improving living conditions
What was the significance of the Trans-Siberian Railway?
Allowed transfer of raw materials across Russia
How did industrial growth affect the Russian economy?
Annual economic growth rose to over 8% per year from 1894-1904
What was the impact of industrialization on the social structure?
Established a new middle class and urban working class
What characterized the living conditions of urban factory workers?
Overcrowded barracks, high rents, inadequate sanitation
What were the main divides within the peasantry?
Divided into kulaks and poorer peasants
How did the Orthodox Church influence Russian society?
Close bond with the tsarist regime and control over education
What was the reaction to opposition groups after Alexander II’s assassination?
Increased repression and clamp-down on opposition
What shift occurred in opposition groups by the late 1880s?
Intelligentsia became more interested in Marxism
What was the outcome of the assassination of Alexander II for opposition?
Led to increased repression, yielding no benefits for opponents
What were the main opposition groups in Russia during the late 19th century?
Populism, Marxism, and Liberalism
Populism was flagging by the late 1880s, while Marxism gained traction among the intelligentsia. Liberals sought reforms within autocracy.
What led to the decline of Populism by the late 1880s?
Failure of tactics and lack of results
Neither terrorist tactics nor ‘going to the people’ were effective.
How did the assassination of Alexander II affect opposition groups?
Increased repression of opponents
The assassination yielded no benefits and led to harsher measures against dissent.
What was the response of Populism to the famine of 1890-1?
Revival of interest in Populism
The government’s incompetence during the famine highlighted issues and stirred renewed interest.
What group was formed as the main traditional Marxist Party in Russia?
Social Democrats
They emerged from small groups, with the Emancipation of Labour being a key organization.
Who was a key figure in the formation of the Emancipation of Labour?
George Plekhanov
He established the group in 1883 and advocated for long-term socialist revolution.
What was the stance of Marxists towards the peasants in the 1880s according to Plekhanov?
Waste of time to convert them
Plekhanov believed focus should be on spreading radical ideas for a socialist revolution.
What factors contributed to the growth of Liberal opposition in the 1890s?
Great Famine, reduced zemstva powers, and need for educated middle class involvement
The famine exposed government incompetence and sparked liberal beliefs in national governance.
What was the primary belief of Liberals in Russia during this period?
Individual freedom and reforming autocracy
They aimed to increase freedom through reforms rather than outright overthrow.
True or False: The intelligentsia showed interest in Marxism due to Russia’s economic conditions.
True
Rapid industrialization made Marxism appealing to the educated elite.
What was the impact of Alexander III’s reaction on opposition groups?
Arrests, exile, and execution of leaders
This reaction led to a significant decline in radical activities.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a more moderate side of Populism that continued on a smaller scale.
People’s Will
The group was re-formed in 1887 despite the overall decline of Populism.
What methods did Marxists use to spread their ideas in the 1890s?
Illegal trade unions and discussion circles
These activities emerged as Marxist ideas began to proliferate during industrialization.
Who was a notable liberal figure and novelist during this period?
Leo Tolstoy
He was associated with the liberal opposition and advocated for reforms.
