Alexander III

Question 1

Timeline

Answer 1

1881- Comes to power, apr-Manifesto of Unshakeable autocracy, Russification and antisemitism
1883 - Peasants land bank
1884 - Educational decrees
1885 - Noble’s land bank
1886 - Poll tax abolished
1887 - Attempted assassination
1889 - Land Captains
1891-2 - Great Famine
1894 - May - Nick 2 crowned, Oct - Alex 3 dies

Question 2

Early life

Answer 2

• Brother died 1865, father killed 1881
• Pobedonostev instilled an extreme r-w perspective, opposes west
• Blamed reforms on the rise of opposition and his fathers death.
• 1881, issued Unshakeable Autocracy

Question 3

PSQ on the Manifesto of Unshakeable Autocracy

Answer 3

“eradication of the vile sedition disgracing the Russian land … strengthening of peace and morality … proper upbringing of children … introduction of truth.”

Question 4

Policies

Answer 4

1881 - Censorship and “extraordinary protection”
- Russification: blames fathers death on jews, 200 programs
1882 and 1885 - Peasant and Noble land bank under Bunge, reduced poll tax
1884 - Education, peasants can’t attend
1889- Land captains, changes voting system and who can vote
1891-92 - Famine killing 1.5-2m due to bad harvest
1893 - confines peasants to the mir

Question 5

Impact of policies and historiography

Answer 5

• Policies created stability, less revolutionary elements and improved finances
• However, there was a growth of opposition and a Famine
• Historians view him as oppressive and reactionary.