the FIRST russification PERIOD, 1899-1905
Background; Alexander II, the liberal Tsar? Alexander II´s (1855-1881) policies: reforms, Porvoo Diet of 1863, modernisation of Finland in many ways • The Diet reform of 1869 (The diet had to assemble every 5, later every 3 year. Expanded representation and powers The industrial breakthrough didn't take place before the 1860's. The transition was quite slow and concerned almost only the woodworking industry. FORESTRY • Watermills (16:th century) • Tarproduction, the most important product of export • Steampower, restricted until 1857 due to fear of deficiency • Paperproduction, 1842 (Frenckell) • Saima channel (1856) • Industrial towns, Kemi, Kotka • Government of forestry 1859 • World exhibitions from 1867, exhibition of industry and art in Helsinki 1876
Industrialisation, reforms, background for the Russification.. THE RAILWAY • Helsinki- Hämeenlinna 1862 • Riihimäki- St.Petersburg 1870 • Track connected to Russia 1908 ECONOMIC REFORMS • Right to take initiative in legislative matters 1886 • Decentralisation, the cities and municipalities received most of the clerical duties (education, healthcare, infra structure) but also the right of taxation • The language reform(1863) Finnish an official language within 20 years. • Stock companies (1864) • Law of free enterprise the right to buy/sell everywhere (1879) • Law of banks (1864) made it possible to start banking activity. Necessary to accumulate investments. • The Finnish National Bank National currency 1860
The Rise of Russian Nationalism and the effects on Finland Finland was seen as a too independent part of Russia; the threat of united Germany (the defence of St Petersburg), Finland´s custom border against Russia, Rights of the Finns in the Russian empire, the use of the Finnish language.. Alexander II died in1881 and Alexander III ( 1881-1894) more willing to take Finland under a strict rule The first step: The Post Manifesto of 1890, Finnnish postal system was integrated into that of the Russian Empire, the issuing of Finnish postal stamps was prohibited and the use of Russian language was promoted Nicholas II ( 1894-1917) : the appointment of Nicholas Bobrikov( Governor-General) in 1898 and the February Manifesto of 1899
Bobrikov´s program merging of the Finnish military with the Russian army adoption of the Russian language for use in the senate, government offices and schools the opening of all official posts in Finland to Russian citizens extension of the legal code of the Russian Empire to the Grand Duchy The Russian Tsar and Duma gained the powers to the legislation of so called nationwide laws and it was the Tsar who had the powers to decide which laws were to be interpreted as nation wide ones. HOW DID THE FINNS REACT??
FIRST REACTIONS Great Petition (with more than 1⁄2 million names of a population on 2 million). The petition was submitted to the Tsar but he refused to accept it. The same happened to the Cultural petition ( more than 1000 people signed).
ATTITUDES TOWARD RUSSIFICATION
THE DIVISION OF THE POPULATION THE CONCILIATION LINE: Advocated tactical collaboration with Russia and wished of returned autonomy as a reward of good behaviour THE ACTIVISTS: Urged resistance (legal) to Russification measures • The 'Kagaal'(secret org.) • Boycott of conscription call ups THE CONSTITUNIONALISTS: As Russification became harsher with Bobrikovs dictatorial powers 1903 and Cossack riots in Helsinki 1902 a group of radicals advocating violent resistance emerged (Nationalists and socialists).
THE NATIONAL ROMANTICISIM AGAINST RUSSIFICATION HUGO SIMBERG PEKKA HALONEN AKSELI GALLEN-KALLELA JEAN SIBELIUS FIND EXAMPLES AND EXPLAIN HOW THESE WORKS CONTRIBUTED TO THE RESISTANCE TO RUSSIFICATION