Chapter 2 Flashcards
when did redemption payments end
1907
when did Alexander III die of liver failure?
1894
what were peasants who left the peasant commune called?
Stolypin separators
what economic reforms did Witte introduce
high tariffs, guaranteed profit to foreign investors, high indirect tax, investment in heavy industry, focus on railway building, strong rouble, focus on grain export
what caused Witte to be fired in 1903?
1899-1902 there was an international recession which hit Russia hard, because of reliance on foreign investors- in 1900, 20% of the budget was spent on paying loan interest.
what were the counter-reforms introduced by Alexander III
Control (1881)
Education (1884)
Local government (1890)
legal system
Emergency measures (1881)
define the term Russification
forced assimilation of national groups within the Russian empire, to adopt Russian customs, culture and beliefs
which groups were targeted by Russification
Jews, Ukrainians, Poles
how many Muslims were forcibly converted to Orthodoxy
100,000
Name the 4 main bodies that made up the head of the Tsarist state
the Tsar
the council of ministers
the Imperial council of state
the committee of ministers
when was the council of ministers abolished by Alexander III
1882
who was the Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod as appointed by Alexander III?
Konstantin Pobedonostev
what were the 3 main principles underpinning the Tsarist regime?
Orthodoxy, autocracy and nationality
what did Alexander III say in regards to a proposed constitution?
“I would not grant Russia a constitution for anything on earth”
what were the legal counter-reforms introduced by Alexander III
reduced open court cases, court martials used to try sensitive cases, ministry of justice could order a private trial, Justices of the Peace were abolished, crimes against the state could be heard in court without a jury
what were the local government counter-reforms introduced by Alexander III (1890)
Local gov counter-reforms (1890)
1. local governments were put under the control of the ministry of the interior,
2. provincial governors could veto any decision made by zemstvo,
3. the electoral system was changed to favour land owners.
What were the Education counter-reforms introduced by Alexander III (1884)?
- the University statute (1884) reduced autonomy of Universities and student freedom,
- staff were appointed by the ministry of education
3.courses for women were closed, - church given control of primary education
- fees were introduced in secondary schools to prevent peasant education.
what were the control counter-reforms introduced by Alexander III (1881)?
the Okhrana were formed in 1881, Land Captains were introduced in rural areas to control the village communes and censorship was tightened
what were the emergency measures introduced by Alexander III (1881)?
Statute of State security (1881) they could prohibit gatherings of more than 12, set up courts outside the legal system, introduce emergency police rule and close schools, Universities or newspapers
what was the motivation for continued industrialisation under Alexander III?
to increase military power- upgrade and modernise Russia’s army, to compete with the West.
how much were tariffs introduced by Witte 1892
30%
what type of taxation did Witte use and why?
Sergei Witte introduced high indirect taxation which generated much needed tax revenue for the state funded development of heavy industry, but also forced peasants to export more of their grain to make ends meet- which built up reserves of foreign currency and strengthened the rouble
when did Russia adopt the gold standard?
1897
give an example of foreign knowledge/ expertise coming to Russia during 1892-1903
John Hughes- a Welshman was asked to come to Russia to modernise their steel works- he set up a massive steel production factory in the Donbass region- which would later become the centre of steel production in Russia
