Unit 1 & 2 1855-1894

Question 1

What was the main aim of Alexander III?

Answer 1

To reverse Alexander II’s policies

This was in response to the increase of radical and militant thinkers that led to Alexander II’s assassination.

Question 2

What change occurred in the control and funding of education under Alexander III?

Answer 2

Control and funding were returned to the Orthodox Church

This reversed the policy of Alexander II, who had given control to the zemstva.

Question 3

How did university governance change from Alexander II to Alexander III?

Answer 3

Under Alexander II, universities could govern themselves; under Alexander III, appointments were based on religious and moral criteria

This was enacted by the new minister for education, Ivan Delyanov.

Question 4

What was the impact of Delyanov’s reforms on women’s education?

Answer 4

Delyanov closed universities for women and restricted lower-class children to primary education

This marked a significant regression from the opportunities provided under Alexander II.

Question 5

What was the trend in the number of primary school students under Alexander II?

Answer 5

The number rose from 400,000 to over a million

This indicates a significant increase in educational access during his reign.

Question 6

What was the effect of Alexander III’s policies on literacy by 1897?

Answer 6

Only 21% of the population were literate

This demonstrates the ineffectiveness of Delyanov’s education reforms.

Question 7

What change occurred in press censorship from Alexander II to Alexander III?

Answer 7

Censorship increased significantly under Alexander III

This included restrictions on libraries and foreign publications.

Question 8

What was the number of journals and newspapers in Russia under Alexander II compared to Alexander III?

Answer 8

There was growth under Alexander II but a decline in freedom under Alexander III

The number of books published grew from 1020 in 1855 to 1,836 in 1864

However, even despite Alexander III’s restrictions, the number of books published in 1894 was 10,691
## Footnote

Alexander III’s internal minister, Tolstoy, set up ‘temporary regulations’ that allowed for newspaper closures.

Question 9

What was the purpose of the zemstva created under Alexander II?

Answer 9

To serve as elected local councils with limited powers

They were designed to improve domestic services and administer poor relief.

Question 10

How did Alexander III alter the electoral process for the zemstva?

Answer 10

He reduced the peasants’ vote and placed the zemstva under central government control

This included emergency decrees to suspend zemstva powers.

Question 11

What was the treatment of nationalities under Alexander III compared to Alexander II?

Answer 11

Alexander III was harsher, opposing concessions to minorities

This included the treatment of Jews and shutting down the Finnish diet.

Question 12

How did the emancipation of the serfs impact economic growth up to 1894?

Answer 12

Its significance was limited, with inconsistent contributions from serfs

The kulaks benefited, but redemption payments and land allocations were burdensome.

Question 13

What was the impact of redemption payments on the peasants after emancipation?

Answer 13

Peasants had to pay redemption payments over 49 years

This hindered their ability to invest in their land.

Question 14

What were the main goals of Vyshnegradsky and Witte in relation to the economy?

Answer 14

To promote industrial growth and economic modernization

They implemented protective tariffs and sought foreign investment, which increased from 215 million roubles in 1890 to 280 million roubles in 1895

Question 15

What effect did emancipation have on kulaks?

Answer 15

Kulaks thrived by buying extra land and producing surplus grain

This contributed positively to the economy.

Question 16

What role did foreign investment play in Russia’s economy by 1895?

Answer 16

Foreign investment increased from 98 million roubles in 1880 to 280 million roubles in 1895

This was crucial for economic stability.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Under Alexander III, universities were restricted based on _______ criteria.

Answer 17

religious and moral

Question 18

True or False: The number of primary schools increased significantly under Alexander III.

Answer 18

True

However, the quality and accessibility of education were still limited.

Question 19

What was the amount of foreign investment in Russia by 1895?

Answer 19

280 million roubles

Question 20

How did emancipation benefit industry in Russia?

Answer 20

Enabled development of agriculture and allowed kulaks to increase output

Question 21

What were the theoretical freedoms granted to the peasantry after emancipation?

Answer 21

Allowed to marry without permission, obtain passports, and leave the countryside

Question 22

What was the duration and interest rate of the redemption payments peasants had to pay?

Answer 22

49 years with 7% interest

Question 23

What was the average life expectancy of men in Russia at the time of emancipation?

Answer 23

29 years

Question 24

What percentage of the peasantry remained under temporary obligation until 1881?

Answer 24

15%

Question 25

Who had increased control over the lives of the peasants after emancipation?

Answer 25

The mir

Question 26

What was the average land received by peasants post-emancipation?

Answer 26

4 hectares

Question 27

What percentage of peasants were able to produce a grain surplus for export by 1878?

Answer 27

50%

Question 28

What percentage of the population did the emerging kulaks represent?

Answer 28

1%

Question 29

What was the urban worker population percentage by 1881?

Answer 29

2%

Question 30

How many nobility were successful in becoming businessmen in urban areas?

Answer 30

About 500,000

Question 31

What was the total length of railways in Russia by 1905?

Answer 31

59,616 km

Question 32

What percentage of railways were state-owned by 1905?

Answer 32

66%

Question 33

What was a key outcome of the expansion of railways in Russia?

Answer 33

Linked grain-growing areas to Black Sea ports

Question 34

What was the grain production in Russia by 1914?

Answer 34

90 million tonnes

Question 35

What were Stolypin's land reforms aimed at?

Answer 35

Consolidating peasant land into compact farms

Question 36

What was the impact of redemption payments being abolished in January 1907?

Answer 36

Less strain on peasants’ finances

Question 37

What percentage of peasant landholdings were still in traditional strips by 1914?

Answer 37

90%

Question 38

What was the percentage of light industry in Russia's exports by 1910?

Answer 38

40%

Question 39

What was the main figure who crushed peasant unrest?

Answer 39

Stolypin

Question 40

What was the name of the peaceful march that turned violent on January 9, 1905?

Answer 40

Bloody Sunday

Question 41

What did the October manifesto promise to the people?

Answer 41

Civic freedoms and the establishment of a state duma

Question 42

What was one key limitation of the Dumas by 1917?

Answer 42

They became largely docile and subservient

Question 43

What did the fundamental laws of 1906 allow the tsar to do?

Answer 43

Veto legislation and dissolve the Dumas

Question 44

What was the primary role of the nobility after emancipation?

Answer 44

Advising the tsar and maintaining influence over the zemstva

Question 45

Fill in the blank: The emergence of a new urban working class was limited because many remained tied to their _______.

Answer 45

peasant roots

Question 46

True or False: The nobility lost all their power and influence after the emancipation of the serfs.

Answer 46

False