Chapter One: S4

Question 1

How was Tsarsist autocracy threatened by ethnic minorities in the 1800’s

Answer 1

• polish nationalism had surfaced and brought rebellion in 1830
• in the 1840’s - a Finnish language pressure group was set up
• this spread of diversity threatened autocracy

Question 2

How did Alexander II handle ethnic minorities

Answer 2

• he reacted swiftly and strongly when a polish rebellion broke out in 1863 - sending his brother to deal with the rebels
• however, he did not engage in systematic persecution of racial minority and he also used concessions to keep control
• he allowed the Finns to have their own diet as well however the period of increased reaction towards the end of his reign heightened intolerance of national differences

Question 3

Outline the policy of Russification under Alex III

Answer 3

• Alex III and his ministers (particularly pobedonostev) engaged In a policy of Russification, seeking to merge all tsar’s subjects into a single national with a feeling of shared identity

Question 4

What changes were made in Finland in relation to the new policy of Russification

Answer 4

• the diet (Parliament) was reorganised in 1892 - to weaken its political infleunce
• the use of the Russian language was increasingly demanded

Question 5

What changes were made in Poland in relation to the new policy of Russification

Answer 5

• 1885 - polish national bank closed
• polish literature had to be studied in a Russian translation
• the administration of Poland was also changed to curb any independence

Question 6

What changes were made to the Baltic Germans in relation to the new policy of Russification

Answer 6

• they had previously enjoyed special protection from Alex III’s predecessors
• 1885-98 - measures introduced to enforce the use of the Russian language in all state offices, elementary and secondary education

Question 7

What changes were made in Ukraine in relation to the new policy of Russification

Answer 7

• 1884 - all the theatres in the 5 Ukrainian provinces closed
• further laws also limited use of the Ukrainian language

Question 8

What was the churches involvement in Russification

Answer 8

• adherence to the Orthodox Church encouraged everywhere
• in the Baltic region - 37,000 lutherans converted to orthodoxy to take advantage of the special measures of support
• in Asia, the all Russian orthodox missionary society worked to convert ‘heathens and Muslims’ which included forced mass baptisms

Question 9

What were the results of Russification

Answer 9

• June 1888 - estimated 332 cases of mass disturbances in 61/92 provinces and districts
• although these troubles were swiftly dealt with
• caused resentment among the more educated and wealthy Finns, poles and Baltic Germans
• supporters for Russification genuinely believed they were acting for the good of Russia, they believed it necessary to ‘unite; the country in order to improve efficiency

Question 10

Which group suffered the most from Russification

Answer 10

• Jews were the racial group that suffered the most
• there were around 5 million Jews in the Russian empire, most were confined to the pale of settlement

Question 11

How were the Jews treated under Alex II

Answer 11

• anti semitism had existed among the poorer areas of society during his reign
• however, Alex II had allowed the wealthier Jews to settle outside the pale of settlement, until the polish revolt frightened him and he withdrew these concessions

Question 12

How were the Jews treated under Alex III

Answer 12

• anti semitism was encouraged under the rule of Alex III, especially by his tutor pobedonostev who used slogans such as ‘beat the yids…save Russia’
• Alex III himself was anti Semitic, mostly off religious grounds but he also had political concerns, there were rumours it was the Jews who had orchestrated Alex II’s assassination

Question 13

Outline the Jewish pogroms of 1881-84

Answer 13

• initially broke out in April 1881 in Ukraine
• the local governing authorities did little to curb the violence, the ‘holy league’ organisation (coordinated by pobedonostev) helped coordinate the early attacks
• the riots spread to Kiev and further on to Warsaw etc
• 16 major cities affected, Jewish property burned etc

Question 14

Outline anti semitic legislation introduced from 1882-94

Answer 14

• 1886 - Jews engaged in sale of alcohol can only do so from their own home
• 1891 - non Christian’s are forbidden from buying property in some provinces

Question 15

What was the impact of anti semitism

Answer 15

• following the pogroms, many jews left the country
• Alex III’s brother forced around 20,000 jews from a city during the Passover
• this drove a number of jews left in Russia to revolutionary groups