Alexander III Knowledge Quiz

Question 1

Reactionary definition

Answer 1

A political philosophy that favours policies which are backward looking to restore the past

Question 2

Emancipation of Labour definition

Answer 2

The first Marxist group in Russia established by Georgi Plekhanov - ‘the father of Russian Marxism’

Question 3

Poll tax

Answer 3

A tax on the peasantry, nobles and clergy were exempt

Question 4

Russification definition

Answer 4

The process of merging all subjects in the Russian Empire into a single nation with a shared cultural identity

Question 5

Pogrom definition

Answer 5

An organised massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jewish people in Russia

Question 6

Land Captain definition

Answer 6

A state-appointed official with power to override elections to the local government and disregard their decisions

Question 7

Land bank definition

Answer 7

Assisted those who wanted to buy land with low interest loans

Question 8

Police state definition

Answer 8

All activities of the people are closely monitored and controlled for political reasons

Question 9

Okhrana definition

Answer 9

Secret police established in 1881

Question 10

Orthodox Church definition

Answer 10

The official state religion of tsarist Russia

Question 11

Civil rights definition

Answer 11

Personal, for example freedom of speech and religion

Question 12

1881

Answer 12

-Manifesto of Unshakeable Autocracy
-Statute of State Security

Question 13

1882

Answer 13

-May Laws
-Censorship counter-reform

Question 14

1883

Answer 14

-Peasants’ Land Bank created
-Emancipation of Labour founded

Question 15

1884

Answer 15

-Education counter-reform
-Church counter-reform

Question 16

1885

Answer 16

-Nobles’ Land Bank created Abolition of poll tax
-Beginning of Russification in borderlands

Question 17

1886

Answer 17

-Revival of The People’s Will by St Petersburg students

Question 18

1889

Answer 18

-Land Captains established

Question 19

1890-92

Answer 19

-Local government counter-reform

Question 20

1891-92

Answer 20

Famine

Question 21

How did Alexander III govern Russia?

Answer 21

Alexander III was terrified of revolutionary activity and a firm believer in absolutism, nationalism and antisemitism. He publicly hanged those responsible for his father’s assassination and brought in a series of counter-reforms to strengthen his autocracy. The number of police and their powers were increased.

Question 22

What were the effects of Russification and Antisemitic legislation

Answer 22

Alexander III adopted a policy of systematic ‘Russification’. The destruction of non-Russian national cultures was particularly marked in Poland and Finland but it affected the whole of the Empire. Russification served to weaken the Empire as it led to more opposition from the different nationalities in the empire. In 1881 there were a number of pogroms and a series of antisemitic laws were passed 1882-94.

Question 23

How far did the economy change under Alexander III?

Answer 23

Nikolai Bunge was Alexander III’s first finance minister. He tried to reduce the burden on the peasants to stimulate economic growth. Vyshengradsky replaced him in 1887 and took a very different approach. He wanted to export as much grain as much as possible so the profits could be used to fund industrialisation. This approach led to a catastrophic famine in 1891-92. Sergei Witte took over in 1892 and transformed industry.

Question 24

How effective was opposition under Alexander III?

Answer 24

Security and repression had been increased but opposition was not eliminated. Underground societies continued an interest in socialism and in 1886 a group of students of even tried to reform The People’s Will. The work Plekhanov and industrialisation saw the development of Marxist ideas during this period. Opposition had not been eradicated but it achieved little under Alexander III’s rule.

Question 25

How far did society and culture change under Alexander III?

Answer 25

Social structure had changed little and the extent of urbanisation shouldn’t be overstated. Yet an urban middle class was developing and the kulak class continued to grow. Russia was moving away from a land-based society but very slowly. Working and living conditions remained poor throughout the period and the Russian Orthodox continued to dominate.

Question 26

To what extent had Russia changed and developed 1855-94

Answer 26

You need to consider the period 1855-94 as a whole and look at the extent of and reasons for change in key areas: government and political authority, opposition, economy, society and culture, ideas and ideology, groups and individuals. You should be able to reach your own judgements.