Opposition, Narodniks, People's Will, Alexander III
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103 Terms
Why did Alexander III reject reform?
He believed reforms had weakened autocracy and encouraged revolutionary opposition
What was the Manifesto of Unshakeable Autocracy?
An 1881 declaration confirming Alexander III's commitment to absolute rule
How did Alexander III strengthen autocracy?
Through censorship, repression, Russification and tighter government control
What role did Pobedonostsev play?
He advised Alexander III and promoted autocracy, Orthodoxy and nationalism
Why was censorship increased under Alexander III?
To prevent criticism of the government and revolutionary ideas from spreading
How were universities controlled under Alexander III?
Their autonomy was reduced and political activity was restricted
What happened to the zemstva under Alexander III?
Their powers were reduced and central government control increased
What were Land Captains?
Officials appointed to supervise and control peasant communities
Why were Land Captains introduced?
To strengthen government authority in rural areas
How did Alexander III treat minority groups?
Through policies of Russification and cultural repression
What was Russification?
The policy of imposing Russian language, culture and authority on minorities
Why was Russification introduced?
To strengthen national unity and reinforce autocracy
Which groups experienced Russification?
Poles, Finns, Ukrainians, Jews and other minorities
How were Jews treated under Alexander III?
They faced discrimination, restrictions and violent pogroms
What were pogroms?
Violent attacks against Jewish communities
Why did antisemitism increase under Alexander III?
Government policies encouraged hostility towards Jews
How successful was Russification?
It often increased resentment and nationalist opposition
What was the impact of Russification on Poland?
Polish culture and language were restricted
What was the impact of Russification on Finland?
Finnish autonomy was reduced and Russian control increased
How did minorities react to Russification?
Many developed stronger nationalist movements
What economic changes occurred under Alexander III?
Industrial growth accelerated and railway construction expanded
Who was Sergei Witte?
Finance Minister who promoted rapid industrialisation
Why did industry expand under Alexander III?
Government investment, foreign loans and railway building encouraged growth
What role did railways play in economic growth?
They improved transport, trade and industrial development
How did coal production change during industrialisation?
Coal output increased dramatically
How did iron production change during industrialisation?
Iron and steel production grew rapidly
What problems accompanied industrialisation?
Poor working conditions, overcrowding and worker unrest
How did workers live in industrial cities?
Many lived in overcrowded housing with poor sanitation
Why did urbanisation increase?
People moved to towns and cities in search of work
Did Alexander III modernise Russia?
Economically yes, but politically he remained reactionary
How strong was autocracy in 1894?
It remained powerful but faced growing social and economic pressures
How effective was repression under Alexander III?
It limited opposition but did not eliminate it
Why did opposition survive repression?
Underlying social and political grievances remained unresolved
How important was economic growth under Alexander III?
It strengthened Russia's economy but created new social tensions
What were Alexander III's main achievements?
Economic growth, political stability and strengthened autocracy
What were Alexander III's main failures?
Failure to address political reform and social inequality
Did reaction strengthen autocracy?
In the short term yes, but long-term tensions remained
Why is 1894 significant?
Alexander III died and Nicholas II became Tsar
What was the land issue?
The problem of peasants lacking sufficient land for survival
Why did peasants want more land?
Population growth increased pressure on available farmland
How significant were redemption payments?
They kept many peasants in poverty until their abolition in 1907
What was famine?
A severe shortage of food causing widespread hunger
Why did famine occur in 1891?
Poor harvests, population pressure and inefficient agriculture
What impact did the famine of 1891 have?
It exposed government weaknesses and increased criticism of the regime
How did the position of the nobility change after 1861?
Many experienced financial decline and loss of influence
Why did noble power decline?
Industrialisation and economic change reduced their dominance
What was the middle class?
Professionals, managers, merchants and business owners
Why did the middle class grow?
Industrialisation created new economic opportunities
What role did industrial workers play in Russia?
They became increasingly important in opposition movements
What were factory conditions like?
Long hours, low wages and dangerous workplaces
Why were strikes increasing by the late nineteenth century?
Workers protested poor pay and conditions
How did urban living conditions compare with rural conditions?
Cities offered jobs but often had overcrowded and unhealthy housing
What was the Orthodox Church?
The official state church supporting the Tsarist regime
Why did the Orthodox Church support autocracy?
It taught obedience to the Tsar as God's representative
How influential was religion in Russia?
Religion played a major role in everyday life and politics
How educated were peasants in the nineteenth century?
Most had little or no formal education
What role did women play in Russian society?
Most worked in agriculture or industry but had limited rights
Why was literacy increasing?
Educational reforms expanded access to schooling
What impact did railways have on Russia?
They improved communication, trade and industrial development
How did industry transform society?
It created new social classes and increased urbanisation
What social divisions existed in Russia?
Divisions between nobles, peasants, workers and the middle class
Why were workers dissatisfied?
Poor living and working conditions encouraged unrest
Why were peasants dissatisfied?
Land shortages, poverty and taxes created resentment
How did industrialisation create problems?
Urban overcrowding and worker exploitation increased
What was Witte's contribution to Russia?
He accelerated industrial growth through state-led policies
Why was economic growth uneven?
Some regions developed rapidly while others remained backward
What strengths did Russia possess by 1894?
A growing economy, expanding railways and a powerful state
What weaknesses remained by 1894?
Political repression, peasant poverty and social unrest
How far had Russia modernised by 1894?
It had modernised economically but remained politically autocratic
Was Russia still backward in 1894?
Compared with Western Europe, many aspects remained underdeveloped
What role did the Orthodox Church play in daily life?
It shaped beliefs, education and loyalty to the Tsar
Why did social tensions grow in late nineteenth-century Russia?
Industrialisation and inequality created dissatisfaction
How important was class conflict in Russia?
Growing tensions existed between workers, peasants and elites
How important was economic change between 1855 and 1894?
It transformed Russia's economy and society
What continuity existed between 1855 and 1894?
Autocracy remained the dominant political system
What change existed between 1855 and 1894?
Industrialisation and reform significantly altered society
Why did autocracy survive until 1894?
Repression, tradition and limited opposition support protected the regime
How secure was Tsarism by 1894?
It appeared stable but faced significant long-term challenges
When did Nicholas II become Tsar?
In 1894 following the death of Alexander III
What were Nicholas II's political beliefs?
He strongly supported autocracy and divine right rule
Why was Nicholas II unsuited to rule?
He lacked political experience, confidence and leadership skills
What was the significance of the 1896 coronation?
It symbolised Nicholas's rule but was overshadowed by tragedy
What happened at Khodynka Field?
Over 1,000 people were killed in a crowd crush during coronation celebrations
Who was Alexandra Feodorovna?
The wife of Nicholas II and Empress of Russia
Why was Alexandra unpopular?
She was German-born and relied heavily on Rasputin
What role did Rasputin play?
He gained influence over the royal family because of his apparent ability to help Alexei
Why did Nicholas II resist reform?
He believed autocracy was essential for Russia
What problems faced Russia in 1894?
Peasant poverty, industrial unrest and political opposition
How important was industrialisation by 1900?
It strengthened the economy but increased social tensions
What role did Sergei Witte play under Nicholas II?
He continued policies promoting industrial growth
What was the Great Spurt?
The rapid industrial expansion of the 1890s
Why was the Trans-Siberian Railway important?
It connected distant regions and stimulated economic growth
How did industrial growth affect workers?
It created jobs but often involved poor conditions
What was the role of the Okhrana?
To monitor, infiltrate and suppress opposition groups
How effective was the Okhrana?
It disrupted opposition but could not eliminate revolutionary movements
What political opposition existed under Nicholas II?
Liberals, Social Revolutionaries, Bolsheviks, Mensheviks and nationalists
Why did unrest increase after 1900?
Economic hardship and political repression encouraged opposition
What was the Socialist Revolutionary Party?
A party supporting peasant interests and land redistribution
What was the RSDLP?
The Russian Social Democratic Labour Party founded in 1898
When was the RSDLP founded?
1898