Chapter 3- The Autocracy Of Alexander II and III Flashcards
What key event occurred in 1866?
The first assassination attempt on the Tsar’s life
Which modern historian believes that Russia fell into repression due to failure to establish ‘rule of law’ or ‘institutions of civil society’
Hosking
Who was responsible for the first assassination attempt of Alexander II?
What happened?
A noble and former student, Dmitri Karakozov shot at the tsar but missed.
How many assassination attempts were there in total?
Approximately eight
Describe two other assassination attempts
In 1879,a bomb was intended to explode under the Tsar’s carriage but was planted under the wrong train.
In 1880 a bomb was planted under the dining room in the Winter Palace but the tsar was running late
What did Alexander do in 1866 in his personal life after his eldest son and wife both died?
Marry his mistress, Catherine Mikhailovna Dolgorukova
How many children did Alexander II have with his new wife?
4
Why did Alexander II become less inclined to resist conservative revolutionaries?
His new wife distanced his from his brother and aunt, the reforming elements in his family
The assassination attempts reduced his confidence
Which ministers were newly appointed because of their conservative beliefs?
Dmitry Tolstoy (minister of education) replaced Golovnin Shuvalov (head of the Third Section)
Why did Dmitry Tolstoy have so much power?
He held many titles including Minister of Internal Affairs, Over-Procurator, Chief of Gendarmerie and Minister of Education
How did zemstva’s powers change?
They did not have as much authority over education, instead the Church’s control increased due to power of Tolstoy
How did education change?
Gimnaziya schools had to follow a strict curriculum
From 1871 only students from these schools could go to university
Universities also had strict curriculums and any subjects which encouraged critical thought were banned.
Censorship over student activity increased
State teacher training colleges set up to increase tsarist control
How did Shuvalov ‘strengthen’ the police / Third Section?
Increased persecution of ethnic minorities
Who controlled the judiciary system?
Konstantin Pahlen
How did Pahlen make the judiciary system more conservative?
Those accused of political agitation faced consequences
Searches and arrests increased
Governor-generals introduced to exile and prosecute
Radicals who fled were tracked down
Show trials introduced
What were show trials?
Public prosecution of offenders in order to create propaganda
How did Pahlen’s idea of trials backfire on the government?
At the ‘trial of 193’ 153 defendants were acquitted and the rest given light sentences
Vera Zasulich shot the governor of St. Petersburg, Trepov, and was found not guilty which showed propaganda was not working
When was Lors-Melikov appointed Minister of the Interior?
1880
How did Loris-Melikov improve Russia in this time of crisis?
Released political prisoners Relaxed censorship Removed salt tax Removed limitations of zemstva Abolished Third Section Created the Okhrana (who unfortunately became just as oppressive)
What was the Loris-Melikov Constitution?
State decrees Loris-Melikov drafted and suggested the tsar accept opinions of elected representatives. These were signed by the Tsar on the same day of his death.
Which opposition group were successful in assassinating Tsar Alexander II?
The People’s Will
What actions did Alexander III take when he got to the throne?
Organised the public hanging of the conspirators of his father’s death
1881 ‘Manifesto of Unshakable Autocracy’
Law on Exceptional Measures (Commnader in Chief could control a locality if necessary)
Who was Alexander III’s tutor?
Konstantin Pobedonostsev
How did Pobedonostsev influence Alexander III?
The new tsar had a strong sense of commitment to the traditional tsarist autocracy
it is probable he wrote the ‘Manifesto of Unshakable Autocracy’
He was Over-Procurator from 1880 and so spoke out for anti Semitism and nationalism
