Empire and nationalities: Alexander II Flashcards
What was the russian empire like in 1855?
Only 55% of the population was ethnic Russian, there were poles, fins, Jews, Ukrainians and people from the Baltic provinces.
What was the situation like in Poland when Alexander II took over?
Poland was firmly under Russia control, with oppressive measures in place to keep the poles under control. Alexander’s reforms to Russia fueled hopes that poles would be granted more freedoms.
Who was Wielopolski?
Polish prime minister 1862-63, he was seen by many as a tsarist lapdog and did not support total polish independence.
What happened in 1862?
There was an assassination attempt on grand duke Constantine and wielopolski. Wielopolski reacted by introducing forced conscription for polish youths into the Russian army, instead of joining, the young recruits fled to the woods and created bands of renegade rebels.
When was the polish revolt?
January 1863-spring 1864. There was significant disruption and destruction. Eventually, the revolt was put down when the Russian army intervened in 1864.
What did Milyutin do after the polish revolt had been defeated?
Poland was put in his hands, he purged the polish nobility and gave their estates to Russians, he emancipated the peasants and set up a Polish form of the zemstva.
What were three consequences of the Milyutin plan on Poland?
- Nationalism decreased and Poland became the Vistula region of Russia. 2. Russian was made the official language of administration. 3. The Catholic Church had its powers decreased as it had been seen to be sympathetic to the rebels.
How did Alexander treat the Fins?
They were permitted their own diet in 1863 and were given their own constitution in 1865.
How did Alexander treat the Ukrainians?
In 1875 the publication and import of Ukrainian books was banned.
How did Alexander treat the Jews?
They were permitted to move outside of the allotted Pale of Settlement and were allowed to vote in the zemstva.
