Extent of change in Russia, 1881-94 Flashcards
Who was Alex II?
Tsar of Russia from 1855-81
What was important about Alex II’s reign?
introduced important reforms: emancipation of the serfs in 1861
What were serfs?
Agricultural labourers bound under the feudal system to work on his lord’s estate in Russia
When was Alex II assassinated?
March 13th 1881
Who took over from Alex II?
Alex III
What was different about Alex III’s reign to his fathers?
Halted Alex II reforms and reversed many of the reforms.
Why did Alex III reverse many of the reforms?
He directly linked Alex II assassination to his reforms - he argued they encouraged radicalism, which threatened the existence of the Tsarist system - Alex launched campaign of repression - thousands arrested in 1881
Who was Alex III influenced by?
Konstantin Pobedonostev
What was Pobedonostev’s famous slogan?
‘Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality’
define Autocracy:
a system of government by one person with absolute power.
Why was Alex III very powerful?
he was closely tied with Pobedonostev was was Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod - gave him control over Russian Orthodox Church
How did Alex III secure his power? (7 points)
- reforming ministers e.g. Loris Melikov forced to resign
- Manifesto introduced - emphasised absolute political power for Tsar
- ‘Statute of State Security’ law passed
- Press Freedoms restricted - 14 major newspapers banned from 82-89
- Foreign books and newspapers censored
- Okhrana became powerful and feared
- University fees increased - prevent poor getting education
What was the ‘Statute of State Security’ law?
1881 - established government-controlled courts. Suspects could be put on trial without jury
What was the Okhrana?
was a secret police force of the Russian Empire, formed to combat political terrorism and left-wing revolutionary activity
Why did Repression increase yet again in 1887?
failed assassination in March 87 - makes him pissed off
What were introduced in 1889 to help rule Russia?
Land Captains
What were Land Captains?
- appointed directly by minister of interior
- they appointed land elders who had power to fine and arrest peasants
What was the Zemstva?
was a form of local government that was instituted during the great liberal reforms performed in Imperial Russia by Alexander II of Russia
How did Alex III reduce the Zemstva’s power?
- subordinating zemstva to the governors. Their consent was necessary for every decision
- only landed classes could vote people onto zemstva
What was russification?
Russification is a form of cultural assimilation process during which non-Russian communities give up (whether voluntarily or not) their culture and language in favor of the Russian one.
What were the reasons for Alex III strengthening Russification?
- 55% of Empires population that was made up of nationalities
- If you take away their culture, religion, language et. You take away their identity
- Have Homogenous population - population more in common - less likely to revolt
What was the main aim of Russification?
Cultural Hegemony - total control of culture - purpose of Russification - Russian Hegemony over all over cultures
define Hegemony:
leadership or dominance, esp. by one country or social group over others.
define Homogenous:
things of a similar kind
How did Alex III strengthen Russification?
- Made Russian official language of Empire in 1885
- all other languages banned in schools
- Jews were heavily persecuted - experienced vicious pogroms
define pogroms:
an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jews in Russia or eastern Europe.
How did Alex III economically modernize Russia?
- appointed Nikolai Bunge and Ivan Vyshnegradsy
What did Nikolai Bunge do?
- Became Finance Minister in 81
- 82 reduced taxes for peasants
- Established Peasant Land Bank - Provide financial support to the peasants - allow them to increase size of their farms and agricultural production
What did Ivan Vyshnegradsy do?
- Became Finance Minister in 87
- introduced incentives for peasants to move to Siberia - cheaper land
- encouraged other countries to loan Russia money for economic modernisation
What major event happened during 91-92?
major famine - 1.5-2m people died
