DEPTH STUDIES: How far were issues relating the empire and minorities neglected by Alexander II?

Question 1

How did Alex II respond to the Polish Rebellion 1863?

Answer 1

• Alex II tried to compromise with the Polish gov by allowing it to frame its own land-reform programme.
• Extremists in Poland reject this and rebellions broke out.
• Tsar ends up imposing reforms which were benifitial to the peasantry at the detriment of the nobility.

Question 2

What can be said to the be the start of Russification?

Answer 2

• Polish Rebellion 1863.

Question 3

How did Alex II continue his father’s liberal policy towards the Baltic Germans?

Answer 3

• Done in the face of rising nationalism.
• Estonian nationalism seen in the publication of literature in Estonia - newspaper Sakala campaigned for social equality between all Estonias.

Question 4

Who were the Baltic Germans?

Answer 4

• The upper-classes of Lativa and Estonia.

Question 5

How did Alex II deal with Jewish people>

Answer 5

• Tried to improve the lot of Jewish people.
• Some categories of Jewish people (merchant and doctor’s) were allowed to live outside the pale.