chapter 3: The autocracy of Alexander II and III

Assassination attempts on Alexander II

April 1866 Dmitry karakozov shot

April 1879 Aleksandr Soloviev fired multiple times

1880 room blown up at winter palace

Alexander III address to the nation

"We are summoned to reaffirm that power and to preserve it for the benefit of the people from any encroachment upon it"

Who died in 1865?

Alexander's eldest son died, wife had tuberculosis

Who was made minister of education in 1866?

Dmitry Tolstoy

Who was made minister of internal affairs in 1866?

Aleksandr Timashev

Who was made head of the third section in 1866?

Pyotr Shuvalov

Dmitry Tolstoy

a noble who became over-procurator of holy synod in 1865, 1866 joined state council wrote number of books on Russian history, key figure

What happened to zemstvas powers over education in 1871?

Zemstvas powers over education were reduced.

Who gained authority over rural schools after 1871?

The church gained authority over rural schools.

What was the requirement for university admission starting in 1871?

Only gimnaziya students could go to university.

What happened to censorship in education after 1871?

Censorship tightened and stricter control was implemented.

Who stepped up persecution of ethnic minorities?

Shuvalov

What actions did Pahlen take regarding searches and arrests?

Pahlen increased searches and arrests and introduced generals with emergency powers in 1879.

What type of trials did Pahlen hold to deter the public?

Pahlen held show trials in front of the general public.

The Trial of the 193

show trials with sympathetic jury whereby, acquitted 153 of 193 defendants and gave light sentences to revolutionaries giving them publicity to promote ideas.

What reforms did the Loris-Melikov Constitution implement regarding political prisoners?

It released political prisoners.

What tax was removed by the Loris-Melikov Constitution?

The salt tax was removed.

What restrictions were lifted by the Loris-Melikov Constitution?

It lifted restrictions on the activities of the zemstva.

What organization was created following the Loris-Melikov Constitution?

The Okhrana was created.

What was the context of the Loris-Melikov Constitution in relation to the Zemstva?

It was a response to Zemstva demands in 1880.

What did the Loris-Melikov Constitution recommend regarding elected representatives?

It recommended the inclusion of elected representatives of the nobility and the zemstva.

assassination of Alexander II

13 march 1881 by the people's will, signed constitution same day.

How did Alexander II's reign begin?

a public hanging of those involved in his father's assasination

The 'Manifesto of Unshakable Autocracy'

declared that a commander in chief could be appointed to take control over a locality

Who was Konstantin Pobedonostsev?

Tutored Alexander from 1865, wrote the manifesto of "unshakable autocracy" , Over-procurator of holy synod from 1880 spoke out for absolutism.

Maria Feodorovna

Married Alexander III and adopted orthodox religion, was an imposing and elegant impress

Mikhail Katkov

right wing journalist who edited Moscow news from 1863, gave him power over the public conservative views

What did Alexander III create?

A new state appointed office of Land captain in July 1889, with power to override elections to the zemstvo, made responsible for law enforcement and government.

How was the peasant's vote reduced?

An act in 1890, placing the zemstva under central government control, channelling efforts away from political discussion.

How did the Okhrana change under Alexander III?

Number of police increased, with new criminal investigations and a drive to recruit spies. Intercepting and reading mail, monitoring activities across all institutions.

Vyacheslav Plehve (1846-1904)

The director of secret police in the ministry of internal affairs (1881-84)

Vice Minister of internal affairs (1884-99)

State secretary for Finland (1899-1902)

Minister for internal affairs (1902-04)

committed to upholding autocracy, subjected minorities encouraged war against Japan

The Okhrana

The secret police in Tsarist Russia. They spied on the people and arrested, tortured and imprisoned those who criticized the government. The courts had little control over them.

Changes in judicial system (III)

Minister of Justice exercised greater control , 1887 closed court sessions could be held, 1889 appointment of town judges, 1889 volts courts held under land captains.

changes in education (III)

overseen by Delyanov, members of education had to be approved by education ministry.

closed university for women and abolished separate university courts (#notafeminist)

lower class children only entitled to primary education (by Orthodox Church)

21% of population were literate

Changes in censorship (III)

1882 newspapers could be closed down and a life ban on editors and publishers.

All literary publications had to be approved

extended to theatre art and culture (Russification)

effects of counter-reform

Alexander III's helped reverse his father reforms

May 1881 a lad reduced the redemption fees

May 1885 the poll tax was abolished and introduction of inheritance tax.