History Alexander III

Question 1

How did Alexander III’s early years affect his reign

Answer 1

Was not brought up as the Tsar elect as his older brother Nicholas died suddenly in 1865 - so received only a perfunctory and inadequate training

Question 2

Pobodonestev’s influence on Alexander III

Answer 2

He instilled in Alexander the belief that zeal for Russian orthodox thought was an essential factor in Russian patriotism and this was to be strictly cultivated by every Tsar.

Question 3

Who was Konstantin Pobedonstev

Answer 3

• Alexander III and Nicholas II tutor
• Made Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod in 1880
• Stressed the strong connection between Orthodoxy, nationality, and autocracy was the best form of government
• Misanthropist

Question 4

Alexander III overall approach to his reign

Answer 4

• Adopted an approach of uncompromising authoritarianism and conservatism - determined to re-establish the political authority his father had lost

Question 5

What reforms did Pobedonostsev condemn

Answer 5

Pobedonostsev condemned Alexander II great reforms in 1881, and denounced all forms of representative local governments

Question 6

Emergency measures put in place when Alexander II became Tsar

Answer 6

In 1881 the statue of state was passed giving the government emergency powers to
- Prohibit gatherings of more than 12 people
- Prosecute any individual for political crimes
- Introduce emergency police rule where public order was threatened
- Set up special courts outside the legal system
Most of these ‘temporary measures’ remained enforced until 1917

Question 7

How did the Tsar Alexander III control the Russian people

Answer 7

• In 1881 a new secret police - the Okhrana - was established
• A decree of March 1882 allowed the police to declare any citizen subject to surveillance
• Members of the gentry were chosen as land captains to control local areas
• Censorship was tightened even further, publications which critisised the regime were suspended and editors were banned from publishing anything else

Question 8

How did Alexander III affect education

Answer 8

• In 1884 the University Statute brought in strict controls on the universities, reducing their autonomy and freedom
• University staff were appointed by Minister of Education
• The church was given more control over primary school education
• Fees in secondary schools were raised to exclude students from lower ranks

Question 9

How did Alexander III affect local government

Answer 9

In 1890 the Zemstva act reduced the autonomy of the zemstva - control became more centralised and they were put under the ministry of interior
- Central government interfered with local initiatives
- The system to elect members of local zemstva was changed in favour of landowners and peasant representation was reduced
- In Moscow and St Petersburg only 0.7% of the population could vote for members of the Zemstva

Question 10

How did Alexander III affect the judiciary system

Answer 10

The Government reduced the scope of offences subject to the full rigours of the system as they found it difficult to reduce the influence of such an established system.
- Court martial were used to try sensitive cases to reduce publicity - for example crimes against the state
- Ministry of justice could order a trial to be held in private
- Judges lost their security of tenure and many were appointed directly from the ministry of justice
- JPs were abolished and judicial functions were passed over to land captains

Question 11

How did the Okhrana inhibit freedom of speech

Answer 11

After Alexander III death the Okhrana took form as an effective and sinister body - recruited thousands of informers and agents who infiltrated revolutionary groups to uncover terrorist conspiracies
- Thousands suspected of being a danger to the state were arrested and exiled despite many being innocent

Question 12

How did Alexander III help the economy

Answer 12

• Supported successful finance minister (Bunge) in laying down the basis for future development and creating the industrial spurt of the 1890s, encouraging foreign investment, building railways, tariff protection to protect and fledgling industries
• Bunge introduced a number of measures between 1882 and 1892 to help peasants and improve working conditions and living
• Abolished poll tax and lowered redemtion payments
• In 1883 the peasants land banks set up to help peasents buy land

Question 13

Main aims of Alexander III

Answer 13

• To return to a time when the Tsar held ultimate power
• To stabilise and preserve the autocracy
• Wants to restore the three pillars of autocracy

Question 14

Arguments for Alexander III’s reforms to be rationale

Answer 14

• Autocracy was believed to be the best way for everyone - the best form of Russia

Question 15

Failures of Vyshnegradsky’s economic policy

Answer 15

During a year of bad harvest peasants did not have enough goods to keep for themselves leading to a massive famine in the volga region - around 20 million people affected which led to the illness and death of 1.5 million to 2 million - attracted widespread liberal opposition

Question 16

Why were the emergency measures introduced

Answer 16

Measures implemented by Alexander III that he felt required immediate change to restore the stability of the autocracy

Question 17

Define the different elements of political authority

Answer 17

The control exerted over institutions ed. Judiciary, local government, education and secret police
The power that lies with the Tsar (has the ability to appoint and remove ministers, all elements report back to the tsar
People (nobility and peasants) - The people hold political authority as their veneration for the Tsar upholds his authority - the Tsar is seen as a paternalistic figure. Opposition groups

Question 18

Key continuities between Alex II and Alex III on economy

Answer 18

To preserve the autocratic system - neither wants to undermine the power of the Tsar
To maintain Russia’s great power status - both were influenced by unsuccessful wars
Both wanted economic modernisation
More continuity between the end of Alex II reign (counter reforms) and Alex III’s

Question 19

Key differences between Alex II and Alex III on economy

Answer 19

The content in which they reigned is very different which shapes outlook
Alex II was willing to adopt more liberal minded policies to achieve the same ends - strengthening autocracy
Alex III was more willing yo drive policy through government action taking a more proactive approach rather than just trying to facilitate it by emancipating the serfs as his dad had done.
Alexander III was more interventionist in terms of economic policy and more focussed on industrialisation

Question 20

How successful was Alex III?

Answer 20

• He stabilised autocracy when it had been undermined by Alexander II reforms, ruled at a time of increased political violence culminating in Alex II’s assassination.
• Updated the repressive apparatus of autocracy
• His reign saw very little active opposition although revolutionary groups did not go away
• He was a more successful economic moderniser than his father, he encouraged active intervention to promote industrialisation

Question 21

Alexander II’s economic policy

Answer 21

Emancipation of serfs driven by desire for economic modernisation
The serfs and peasants he made peasants more economically dynamic
Aim to increase agricultural productivity and economic modernisation
Doesn’t work well due to limitations of emancipation

Question 22

How did defeat in crimean war affect economic policy

Answer 22

Defeat in crimean war focussed attention on the slow progress of Russian industrialisation. Russia’s fleet of sailing ship was impotent against the steamships of England and France. Russian soldiers were ill-equipped compared to their opponents. Both saw modernisation as essential to the maintenance of Russia’s great power status.
Imperial expansionists rested on the ability to have the kind of modern army.

Question 23

Economic aims of Bunge

Answer 23

Aimed to modernise the Russian economy - some reforms aimed at reducing child labour and improving conditions for workers due to a fear of revolution

Question 24

Successes of Bunge

Answer 24

Reduced the tax burden on peasants by abolishing head tax and introducing inheritance tax
Founded the peasant’s land bank in 1833 which helped peasants to purchase land

Question 25

Failures of Bunge

Answer 25

Incompetent and failed to gain a budget surplus and therefore was removed from office

Question 26

Vyshnegradsky’s economic aim

Answer 26

Took a very nationalistic approach aiming to grow Russia’s economy as a whole
Focussed on industrial development

Question 27

Successes of Vyshnegradsky

Answer 27

His development of railways helped internal trade - encouraging economic development
Negotiated foreign loans from the French
Increased grain exports by 18% and by 1892 the Russian budget was in surplus

Question 28

Failures of Vyshnegradsky

Answer 28

He increased indirect taxes which placed a great burden on the peasants. It forced them to produce and sell more grain to pay the taxes but when a bad harvest came in 1891 they had no reserves to feed themselves contributing to the famine of 1892.

Question 29

Witte’s economic aim

Answer 29

Aimed to create a climate conducive to industrial development that gave Russian industry its impetus
Believed that iron, coal and steel industries would form the basis of industrial development

Question 30

Witte’s successes

Answer 30

New markets were found in Europe and raw materials for cotton exports were sourced in Asia
Railways helped open up the new oilfields in the caucasus and stimulated the metallurgical, engineering and coal industries
By the end of the 1890s nearly 60% of all iron and steel were consumed by the railways
Strong rouble, adoption of gold standard - there was more security in the currency therefore more investment

Question 31

Witte’s failures

Answer 31

The interest rates to service foreign debts were very high and a major drain on resources. By 1900 20% of the budget was used to pay off foreign debt, ten times as much as was spent on education
Neglected agriculture which suffered from under investment
Political turmoil as peasants felt neglected leading to strikes - the economy relied heavily on the productivity of the peasants so when they go on strike production falls
Fore gin investment/ debt was seen as shameful and against the aim of Russia being a great power

Question 32

Von Reutern’s successes

Answer 32

Subsidies were offered to private railway companies and other industrial initiatives
The treasury was reformed and budgeting and auditing systems were established which was important for internal and foreign investors
Created banks and saving banks which allowed the emergence of a middle class. - Helped people manage their money

Question 33

Von Reutern’s economic aims

Answer 33

Wanted to increase the efficiency of tax collection
Believed the government must direct economic change as Russia did not possess a wealthy middle class

Question 34

Von Reutern’s failures

Answer 34

Couldn’t maintain the stability of the rouble so the Russian currency was unstable and much income went towards paying off debts
Transport and labour mobility remained limited - growth was slow
Industry was limited