Chapter 4- Political Authority In Action Flashcards
How many different ethnic groups inhabited tsarist Russia?
Over 100
What ethnicities existed largely in Russia?
Ukrainians Latvians Catholic Poles Fins Estonians Romanians Etc.
What were the main religious minorities?
Jews!!!!!!
Muslims (due to Imperial expansion in Asia)
Catholics
Why were different ethnic groups supposedly a problem in Russia?
They challenged national ideology (belief Russia was a powerful nation) Especially Polish (Polish nationalism had surfaced)
What event occurred in 1863 in which Polish used guerilla warfare against their masters?
The Polish Rebellion 1863
How did Alexander II control ethnic minorities?
Concessions (e.g. Finns were allowed their own diet/ parliament )
What evidence could be used to show that Alexander II’s attitude towards ethnic minorities was forced to become more hostile?
Ukrainian language was banned in performers and literary publications from 1876
What was the aim of Russification?
To bring all the Tsar’s subjects together to share a feeling of national pride, strength and identity
Also to challenge the strong Germanisation which was occurring in border areas
What was the official creed of Pobedonostsev?
‘Autocracy, Orthodoxy, Nationality’
In which parts of the empire was the destruction of culture focused?
Finland and Poland
How was Russification enforced in Finland?
Parliament (diet) reorganised in 1892
Russian language demanded
Independent postal service abolished
Russian currency enforced
How was Russification enforced in Poland?
Polish National Bank closed 1885
All schooling had to be done in Russian language apart from Polish and religious education
How did Russification target Baltic Germans?
1885-1889:
Russian language enforced in all schools, the police force, state offices and judicial system
German University of Dorpar became Iurev University (1889-93)
How was Ukraine affected by Russification?
Limited use of Ukrainian language
1884- all theatres in Ukrainian provinces shut down
Conscripts from national areas were separated to prevent national groups forming in the military
How did religion change through Russification?
Many people converted to Orthodoxy to receive more support
In Poland monasteries were closed
Influence of Catholic priests repressed
All-Russian Orthodox Missionary worked to convert Muslims
Mass forced baptisms
Members of non-Orthodox churches couldn’t build places of worship
Anyone converting to non-Orthodoxy or attempting to convert others would be exiled to Siberia
How was Russification opposed?
Constant uprisings and rebellions
Petitions (by educated nobles) for the tsar to allow more freedom
Secret publications
Some ethnic schools survived
Why did Russification fail in some ways?
Arguably it increased national pride in non-Russians
Wealthier citizens emigrated
Some citizens who would have otherwise remained loyal joined political opposition groups.
Which racial group suffered the most?
Jews
Approximately how many Jews were living in the Eussian empire during Alex III’s reign?
5 million
Where in the Russian Empire had Jews been living since 1736
Western Russia (Pale of the Settlement)
Why were Jews confined to Pale of the Settlement?
Legally they could not leave without a special licence.
Only a limited number of Jews were allowed to live outside of this area
Why were Jews hated by mostly poorer areas during Alex II’s reign?
Resented their personal riches/money lending
Disagreed with beliefs in contrast to strict Orthodoxy
Why did Alexander II withdraw his concessions and reduce Jewish involvement in government?
The Polish revolt made him lose confidence
What was Pobedonostsev’s suggestion surrounding anti-Semitism?
‘One third should emigrate, one third die and one third convert’
