Alexander III Flashcards
Give a quote from a famous Russian figure which describes Alexander III’s personality.
Alexander Benois describes Alexander III as ‘a mighty figure’, although with ‘something of the Russian peasant about him’
Why was Alexander III unprepared for the role of Tsar?
He was not expected to become Tsar, it was a role thrust upon him after the death of his brother Nicholas, and thus he did not receive the formal education and training needed for the role.
Name the 2 liberal ministers Alexander III forced to resign upon immediately becoming Tsar.
Loris-Melikov and Ignatiev. He replaced them with Pobedonostsev
What was Pobedonostsev’s motto?
“Autocracy, orthodoxy, nationality.”
Give a statistic which illustrates the extent of censorship under Alexander III’s rule.
14 major newspapers were shut down in 1882-1899 for displaying ‘liberal’ tendencies.
How did Alexander III exert his influence over education?
High tuition fees excluded all but the very wealthy. From 1884, they were put under full government control, and occasionally closed down temporarily. For instance in 1889, they were shut in response to protests.
What were ‘justices of the peace’ replaced with? What was the significance of this?
‘Land captains’ in 1889. It allowed the Tsar more central control over society to ensure his laws were being properly implemented.
Discuss anti-semitism under Alexander III’s rule.
‘The May Laws’ were passed in 1882, which prevented jews from voting in Zemstvo elections, settling in rural areas and accessing higher education. State encouraged pogroms took place, resulting in the emigration of 2 million jews between 1881-1914. This repression spawned ant-Tsarist revolutionary groups like ‘The Jewish Bund’
When was the post of ‘finance minister’ created?
In 1881 under Alexander III
Discuss the financial reforms introduced by Bunge and Vyshenegradsky under Alexander III.
BUNGE- In 1882, he introduced laws to reduce the taxation burden upon peasants along with ‘The Peasant’s Land Bank’ which enabled peasants to take out cheap loans to buy more land with the aim of increasing inefficiency
VYSHENEGRADSKY- Began to offer financial incentives for peasants wishing to exploit the potential of Siberia in 1889. He also laid the foundations for Witte by beginning to fund Russia’s development through foreign loans.
Give a statistic which illustrates the severity of the 1891 famine.
It cost the government ₽150,000000 in aid.An estimated 1.5million to 2million people died as a result of the famine.
Why did Alexander III’s repressive measures remain largely unsuccessful in terms of revolutionary groups like ‘the people’s will’?
They continued to operate underground. In 1887 ‘The People’s Will’ attempted to assassinate Alexander III- which indirectly lead to Lenin’s radicalization.
