Moderate Liberal Opposition

Question 1

How did the reforms impact moderate liberal oppositions?

Answer 1

-size + influence intelligentsia grew with reforms + economic changes late 19th C
-liberal intellectuals had benefit of education, wealth, time + interest to reflect political matters
-some travelled abroad + despaired at political + social stagnation in Russia

Question 2

What are the philosophical ideas they used?

Answer 2

-some sought ‘the truth’ via philosophical ideas
-nihilism — all values are baseless + nothing can be known or communicated
-anarchism — self-governed institutions; state considered harmful or unnecessary

Question 3

What were the 2 categories?

Answer 3

-westernisers — wanted to ‘catch up’ with west + thought Russia should abandon Slavic traditions + military reform
-also wanted to ‘civilise society’ providing representative assemblies + reducing authority of the church
-slavophiles — favoured superior ‘Russian path’ + believed Russia had unique culture + heritage centred on prevailing peasant society + principles of church

Question 4

What was the zemtvas link with the westernisers?

Answer 4

-was a home for westernising liberals + local decision making encouraged national thinking
-hoped reform autocracy + although Alexander II created zemstva he had no plans to give them national influence
-when St. P zemstvo demanded central body to coord regional councils Tsar stood firm against it but changed mind in Lorris-Melokov proposals
-Alexander III restricted zemstva powers which bitterly disappointed liberals

Question 5

What was the influence of the slavophiles?

Answer 5

-peaked 1881 but diminished in 1890s
-due to country move to industrialisation which is where western socialism took roots
-intelligentsia split as result + some were driven to socialism with Marxist theory + others maintained liberal stance

Question 6

What was the impact of the 1891-92 famine?

Answer 6

-inaction of over-bureaucratic govt left zemstva largely responsible for relief work
-increased convictions that tsarist system had to change + provided confidence to demand this
-mid 1890s renewed zemstva-led calls for national body to advise got