History Alexander III Flashcards
How did Alexander III’s early years affect his reign
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
Pobodonestev’s influence on Alexander III
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.
Who was Konstantin Pobedonstev
- Alexander III and Nicholas II tutor
- Made Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod in 1880
- Stressed that the strong connection between Orthodoxy, nationality, and autocracy was the best form of government
- Misanthropist
Alexander III overall approach to his reign
- Adopted an approach of uncompromising authoritarianism and conservatism - determined to re-establish the political authority his father had lost
What reforms did Pobedonostsev condemn
Pobedonostsev condemned Alexander II great reforms in 1881, and denounced all forms of representative local governments
Emergency measures put in place when Alexander II became Tsar
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
How did the Tsar Alexander III control the Russian people
- 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
How did Alexander III affect education
- 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
How did Alexander III affect local government
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
How did Alexander III affect the judiciary system
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
How did the Okhrana inhibit freedom of speech
After Alexander II death (1881) 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
How did Alexander III help the economy (Bunge)
- 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
Main aims of Alexander III
- 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
Arguments for Alexander III’s reforms to be rationale
- Autocracy was believed to be the best way for everyone - the best form of Russia
Failures of Vyshnegradsky’s economic policy
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
Why were the emergency measures introduced
Measures implemented by Alexander III that he felt required immediate change to restore the stability of the autocracy
Define the different elements of political authority
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
Key continuities between Alex II and Alex III on economy
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
Key differences between Alex II and Alex III on economy
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
How successful was Alex III?
- 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
Alexander II’s economic policy
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
How did defeat in crimean war affect economic policy
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.
Economic aims of Bunge
Aimed to modernise the Russian economy - some reforms aimed at reducing child labour and improving conditions for workers due to a fear of revolution
Successes of Bunge
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
