Russification

Question 1

Level of diversity in Russia

Answer 1

Over 100 different ethnic groups. Muslim population 10 million by 1900.

Question 2

Alexander II concessions regarding ethnic minorities

Answer 2

Let Finns have their own diet. Latvians and Estonians can revert to Lutheranism.

Question 3

Alexander II repression regarding ethnic minorities

Answer 3

Reacted swiftly to polish rebellion in 1863. 200,000 poles swiftly crushed. Prohibition on use of Ukrainian language in 1876.

Question 4

Alexander III language repression

Answer 4

Poland - all subjects except Polish language and religion taught in Russian.
In Baltic areas, which previously had special protection, measures enforced for use of Russian in all state offices schools police force and judiciary system.
German university Dorpar “russified” and became Ieruv university.
Laws prohibiting Ukrainian language in 1883
Business in the military entirely conducted in Russian.

Question 5

Alexander III Culture repression

Answer 5

Finnish diet re organised to weaken political influence.
Russian coinage replaces local currency
Military service arrangements extended into previously exempt areas
Uprisings mercilessly supressed, Armenia 1886, Tashkent 1892

Question 6

Alexander III religion repression

Answer 6

In Baltic region 37000 Lutherans converted to orthodoxy to take special measures of support
Polish catholic monasteries closed down, influence of priests curbed
Forced mass baptisms in Asia
Any attempt to convert a member of the orthodox church punishable by exile to Siberia.

Question 7

Examples of May Laws

Answer 7

1893 - illegal to adopt a Christian name
Forbidden to settle outside cities and towns with less than 10000 people

Question 8

What were the pogroms and when did they occur

Answer 8

1881-84

Concentration in areas of the pale made them easy targets
Holy league organisation supported by Pobedonestev helped to cordinate early attacks.
Likely encouraged by the Okhrana

Question 9

Religious resistance to russification

Answer 9

Disproportionate amount of Jews in revolutionary groups and October revolution
Resentment among more educated and wealthy Finns Poles and Baltic Germans.

Question 10

Disturbance resistance to Russification

Answer 10

1888 332 cases of mass disturbance in 61 of Russia’s 93 provinces

51 cases military was employed

Question 11

Resistance to language reforms

Answer 11

some ethnic school survived particuarly in Poland

secret publication of language books.