Russification

Question 1

What was Russification

Answer 1

-forcing everyone within the Russian Empire to think of themselves as Russian
-enforcing the Russian language + culture
-chauvinism — exaggerated belief in national superiority + glory

Question 2

What was Russification like under Alexander III

Answer 2

-tsar + ministers (Pobedonostev) engaged in policy cultural Russification
-sought merge tsars subjects into single nation with shared identity

Question 3

What was the Russification policy in Poland

Answer 3

-policy national bank closed 1885
-schools + unis teaching of all subjects except polish language + religion had to be in Russian
-polish literature had to be studied in Russian
-administration of Poland changed to curb any independence

Question 4

What was the Russification policy in Finland

Answer 4

-the ‘diet’ (parliament) reorganised 1892 to weaken its political influence
-use of Russian language increasingly demanded
-independent postal service abolished
-Russian coinage replaced the currency

Question 5

What was the Russification policy in the Baltic regions

Answer 5

-had enjoyed special protection of predecessors
-loyal Baltic Germans found themselves subject to aggressive Russification
-1885-1889 measures introduced enforce use of Russian in all state offices, elementary + secondary schools, police force + judicial system
-German uni of Dorpar Russified to Iurev uni 1889-93

Question 6

What was the Russification policies in other regions like the Ukraine

Answer 6

-Ukrainian language limited 1883
-1884 all theatres in 5 Ukraine provinces closed
-conscripts from all national areas dispersed to prevent national groupings in the army

Question 7

How did Russification affect the Orthodox Church

Answer 7

-adherence Orthodox Church encouraged everywhere
-Baltic region 37000 Lutheran’s converted orthodoxy to take advantage of special measures of support
-Poland catholic monasteries closed down, influence catholic priests curbed
-from 1883 members non-orthodox churches not allowed build new worship places, wear religious dress or spread religious propaganda

Question 8

What were the results of Russification - negatives

Answer 8

-June 1888 department of police estimated 332 cases mass disturbances in 61/92 provinces — military employed in 51 of these cases
-policy caused resentment among educated + wealthy, Finns, Poles + Baltics
-national groups continuously petitioned Tsars for more liberties
-most believed a misguided policy
-Waldron writes — if failed achieve its ends + intensified national feeling of discontent
-drove wealthy citizens to emigrate + persuaded others to join political opposition groups

Question 9

What were the results of Russification - positive

Answer 9

-supporters policy believed were acting for greater good of Russia
-believed it necessary to ‘unite’ country + improve its administration to allow modernisation