Alexander III - 1881 /1894

AQA - ALEVEL

Alexander III

• tutored by Konstantin Pobedonostev

• very strong sense of commitment

• fearful of revolutionary activity

• married a Danish princess

what were the changes in local government?

• land captain was introduced in July 1889: could override elections, disregard the zemstvo

• law enforcement

• can overturn courts judgement

what were the changes in policing?

• department off police

• number of police increased

• criminal investigation department was set up

• drive to recruit spies, counter-spies

• could arrested anyone under suspicion or related to criminals

what were the Okhrana?

responsibility for security and investigation, they intercept and read mail and checked up activities in factories, universities the army and the state,

detain suspects and resorting to torture and executions

what were the changes in the judicial system?

• 1887 ministry gained powers to hold closed courts sessions and in 1889 became responsible for the appoint of town judges 

• education qualification needed by jurors were raised

• 1889 volost courts were put under the direct jurisdiction of the land captain

what were the changes in the education?

• closed universities for women 

• abolished separate university courts

• students were forbidden gathering in groups of more than 5 

• children from lowest class were restricted to primary education - which the church had control over

• 21% of population were literate 

what changes in censorship?

• allowed newspapers to close down

• life ban placed on editors and publishers 

• publication had to be officially approved and liberties and reading rooms were restricted in books they allowed to stock

• censorship on theatre, art and culture - russification  

what were the positive reforms of Alexander III?

• may 1881 law reduced the redemption fees payable and cancelled the arrests of ex-serfs in the 37 central provinces of the empire

• may 1885 poll tax was abolished

• introduction of inheritance tax

• right to appeal in higher courts