Alexander III Government 1881-1894 (Unit 2, Topic 2) Flashcards
What is the Manifesto of Unshakeable Autocracy?
It reaffirmed his autocratic rule in Russia under God’s divine will
What was the Law on Exceptional Measures?
Also known as the Statute of State Security it declared if necessary, a Commander-in-Chief could be appointed to take control of a locality, using military police courts and arbitrary powers of imprisonment
Who was the Holy Procurator of the Holy Synod?
Pobedonostev held this title since 1880 and Alexander III’s approach to government was because of Pobedonostev strong tutorial influence
What Changes to Education were Made?
Delyanov creates a new university charter that was passed by the Education Ministry based on ‘religion, moral, patriotic orientation’. Primary schools were shifted into the control of the church with the lowest classes and women not being allowed the privilege of education. University students were closely watched and couldn’t conjugate in groups more than 5
What Changes to Policing were Made?
Police increased new branches of their service into criminal investigation. There was a drive to recruit spies and counter spies for more operations. The Okhrana took responsibility for ‘security and investigation’ by intercepting and reading mail, checking on universities, the army and the State. Even resorting to detainment, torture and summary execution of victims.
What was the Statute on Policing?
1882, Statute on Police Surveillance created where any area of the Empire could be put under an ‘area of subversion’ police could search, detain, arrest, question, imprison or exile. Each person had no legal right for representation in court
What Changes to Judicial were Made?
The Minister of Justice given exercise to greater control. 1887, power granted for closed court sessions. 1887, qualifications needed to be a juror. 1889, town apartments became responsible. Justices of Peace abolished and Land Captains oversaw court proceedings
What Changes to Censorship were Made?
Life ban on editors or publishers enacted to prevent harmful material releasing to the pubic. Literacy publications had to be officially approved and libraries were restricted to the public. Censorship extended to theater, art and culture where ‘Russification’ was enforced
What Changes to Local Government were Made?
Land Captains created July 1889 with the power to override the zemstva and village assemblies. Responsible for law enforcement and countryside government. June 1892 members of towns became state employees subject to central government direction
What is Russification?
Heavily influenced by Pobedonostev, Alexander III implements Russification. Russification is the destruction of all non-Russian culture and the enforcing of Russian culture, including Russian Orthodoxy. It would unite the empire into a single identity nation following the 3 tsardom pillars of Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality
How was Russification Accepted by Ethnic Minorities and Russification?
The process of Russification was not accepted without resistance. It infuriated the nationalities who saw Russification as a fundamental attack on their way of life, their nationality and culture. June 1888, the Department of Police estimated 332 cases of mass disturbance in 61 of Russia’s 92 provinces and districts. In 51 of these cases the military was deployed
How was Russification Resented?
Russification caused particular resentment among the more educated and wealthy Finns, Poles and Baltic Germans in the Empire. They petitioned for more liberties, and kept secret publication of local books. Some ethnics schools survived and fanned the flames of resentment against tsarist impositions
How were the Jews Effected by Russification?
Russification drove the remaining Jews in the Empire into revolutionary groups, in particular Marxist Socialist Organisations. With future movements containing lots of these disproportionate Jews
