Russification under Alexander III Flashcards
What is Cultural Russification ?
-The belief in national identity
-AN independent state
-fixed geographically boundaries
-Own govt, language, religion
what does the term “national minority” mean ?
a minority of citizens of a country who have certain characteristics which are different of those of the majority
What was Alexander III’s policy towards national minorities in Russia ?
-nation containing only one nationality, language, religion and form of administration
-He imposed the Russian language and Russian schools on citizens
-‘Autocracy,Orthodoxy,Nationality’
What problems did Russia have which caused russication ?
-Russia was a multi-national empire
-Over 100 ethnic minorities
-Diversity was a challenge to autocracy
-Undermined national identity
-nationalist groups wanted independence
What are the reasons supporting that Russification strengthened autocracy ?
-Reaction to the growing forces threatening autocracy
-Allowed modernisation
What are the reasons against that Russification strengthened autocracy ?
-Increased opposition to the tsarist regime
-More underground & radical nationalist movements
-Caused resentment among well educated Finns, Poles and Germans
What happened in Poland due to Russification ?
-The Polish language was prohibited in schools and college
-Railway announcements were in Russian
-Catholic monasteries were closed down
What was the Polish Rebellion of 1863 a result of ?
Russification
What happened in Finland due to Russification ?
-The Finnish Diet was reorganised in 1862 to reduce influence
-Finnish Postal services were abolished
-Finnish coinage was replaced
What happened in the Baltic provinces due to Russification ?
-Local language papers banned
-Russian language in all state offices and schools
-Orthodox cathedrals built
-37000 Lutherans converted to Orthodox Church
What happened in Ukraine, Belorussia & Georgia due to Russification ?
-Ukrainian language banned in theatre and books.
What happened in Asian Russia due to Russification ?
-100,000 Muslim Tatars were converted to the Orthodox Church
What problems faced Russia causing Russification ?
-Multi-national empire
-over 100 different ethnic minority groups
-Slavs made up 2/3 of Russia
-Diversity caused challenge to autocracy
Reasons for Russification strengthening autocracy .
-Reaction to the growing forces threatening autocracy
-allowed modernisation , improved administration
-reassert Russian strength
Reasons against Russification strengthening autocracy.
-Increased opposition to the tsarist autocracy
-more underground and radical nationalist movements
-caused resentment among well educated Finns, poles and germans
