Russia and its rulers Alexander III

Nature of gov under Alexander III

• Alexander’s manifesto of unshakeable autocracy 1881 - reinforced him as the sole ruler of Russia

• Heavily inspired by Tsar Nicholas I’s 3 pillars: autocracy, orthodoxy and nationality which he used In his reactionary rule

• 1890 zemstva act - land captains made members of the zemstva they were loyal to the Tsar and they had the most power than any other zemstva member - reduced peasant influence - autocracy

• land captains replaced Justice of the peace 1889 - directly appointed by the interior minister

Repression and Opposition under Alexander III

• made the Ohkrana in 1880 - it arrested many but only focussed on small groups particularly political opponents

Treatment of minorities

• Alexander wanted to unite the Russian empire under one language and culture

• 1882 persecution of jews - made 20,000 move out of Moscow

• 1870 - closing of jewish schools

• also forced Russification on Finns Poles etc

Economic developments