Chapter 4-Political authority in action Flashcards
What was Russia like (ethnic groups)?
Thewe were over 100 different ethnic groups with the Slavs, Ukraine and Belorussia comprising two thirds of the population. There were also Finns, Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians.
Why was the number of different ethnic groups a problem?
The different cultures and religions were causing problems as in Europe National idealogy was ensuring people used their own language and kept traditions, and Alexander II wanted control.
How did Alexander II control Russia?
He didn’t persecute ethnic minorities and instead used concessions to maintain control. For example he allowed Finns to have their own diet (Parliament). However, towards the end of his reign he faced more reaction and he had to limit Ukranian language in publications.
What was Alexander III’s belief on how to control the country?
He thought Russification would ensure everyone had the same beliefs and unite the country to assert Russian strength.
What did he do to Russify Russia?
He reorganised the diet to take away power, russian coinage replaced local currency and the Russian language was demanded more. In Poland the bank was closed and in the schools they had to teach in Russian. In Ukraine, laws limited the use of Ukrainian and all theatres were closed.
How did Alexander III change religious beliefs/
He encourages everyone to have Orthodox beliefs and in Poland Catholic monastries were closed down. In Asia they tried to convert heathens and Muslims. Members of non-Orthodox Churches weren’t allowed to build new places of worship, wear religious clothing or spread religious propoganda.
What were the results of Russification?
In June 1888 the police estimated 332 cases of mass discturbance and caused resentment among Finns, Poles and Baltic Germans who were petitioning for more liberties.
What was the treatment of Jews like?
There was a lot of anti-semitism and they were largely affected by the russification. Most of the 5 million Jews had been confined to an area called the Pale of Settlement where they could legally reside.
What happened in the Jewish pogroms of 1881-1884?
There were riots and attacks on Jews in 16 major cities and Jewish property was burnt along with shops and businesses.
What laws were there against Jews?
The May Laws of 1882 made Jews effectively condemned to ghettos. The number if Jews admitted to schools and universities was limited by quotas and the number of Jewish doctors permitted in the army was decreased.
What were the impacts of anti-semitism?
Many Jews left the country after the pogroms, some left through choice but others were forced out. During the winter of 1891-92 10,000 Jewish workers were expelled from Moscow. The Jews who remained in Russia were likely to join revolutionary groups to fight against the Tsar.
