3. Autocracy and revolt in Russia, 1881-1914

Starter task Write as many words, phrases, pictures as you can when you hear the word…. RUSSIA

BACKGROUND In 1881 Russia covered one sixth of the world’s surface 120,000,000 population Due to large size it was difficult for a leader to control Weak transport and communication networks Mostly poor peasants who worked on the land to survive Most money was controlled by people at the top- especially the ruler, the Tsar The Romanov family had ruled Russia for 300+ years Russia was ruled by Alexander III

1. Alexander iii Impact of assassination of Alexander II. Alexander III, Pobedonostsev and reaction. Restoration of autocracy, censorship and the policy of Russification.

His dad….Alexander II Tsar from 1855-1881 Known as ‘Tsar Liberator’ Emancipated the peasantry Implementation of village communes Modernised Russian Legal system Assassinated March 1881

a system of government by one person with absolute power. Autocracy a system of government by one person with absolute power.

Impact of assassination Impact of his father's death made him - reverse his father's reforms, realised it did not work since his father was assassinated due to population discontent. - blame the Jews for his father's assassination. believed that autocracy was better than democracy.

The Reign of Alexander III Became Tsar after his father’s- Alexander II's assassination in 1881. Cancels father's plans to introduce a representative assembly and had no intention to limiting his autocratic prowess. During his reign, Russia was not involved in any wars. Because of this, he was dubbed peacemaker of Russia. He was much more conservative - he believed autocracy was better than democracy. Reversed all of his father's reforms.

1. Restoring Autocracy Tsar took repressive measures to uphold his autocratic rule. Tsar passed the Temporary Regulations to deal with the "Will of The People." populists, professional revolutionaries, supporter of political struggle against the autocratic rule. Anybody who threatened public order were arrested by police. (harsh security measures) As a result : - It eliminates political opposition. (only a few revolutionaries remain) - Terrorism and "Will of The People" died down.

2. Education In 1884, Tsar passed a new University Statue. This statue abolished university autonomy and banned students' political activities. Secondary schools were "advised" to give more attention to teaching of classical languages. Raised tuition fees. This made is difficult for lower classes to obtain education. Working class and peasant children were forbidden to study in secondary schools. This meant that only the upper class could be educated further than the core education. This would then expand the gap between the rich and the poor that already exists in Russia. Increased Russia's illiteracy go up to 79%. Severe restrictions and censorship of press.

3. introduction of the "Land Commandants" Had to be of the local nobility. - nobility overruled the zemstvo (a form of local government). Reduced urban assemblies. They held a wide authority over the peasant communities. "Justices of Peace" were transferred to them. Exercised (omnipotent - meaning having unlimited powers.) administrative and judicial authority in the Russian countryside. (such as increasing tax for zemstva) Local officials feared the Land Commandants because they could be dismissed by them. Zemstvo powers were limited. (due to fear and social hierarchy) The Land Commandant encourages the idea of a social hierarchy. It represents the upper- class/nobilities as richer and of higher rank. As a result : - Peasant delegates and westernised intellectuals were reduced. - Representation of nobles were increased. - Land captains were automatically members of the zemstva. - Zemstvo decisions were subject to review by the provincial governors and the minister of the interior. (no authority) - In 1892, the municipal government also raised property requirement in order to limit the right to vote of the radical intellectuals and the lower classes.

4. Russification Alexander III believes strongly in the Russian Orthodox Church The Russian Orthodow Church is a christian denomination where it believes that the Tsar & fellow leaders were sent and appointed by God himself Russiafication was directed at Jewish people as they were blamed for the assassination of Alexander II The Jews were particularly hated because of their strong religious beliefs that were most difficult to ‘Russiafy’ This encouraged pogroms (organised attacks on Jews) Jews were no longer allowed in the Pale of Settlement which were designated areas for Jews in Poland Quotas for Jews in schools and Uni never rose above 10% Zionist Movement began in 1897 – aiming to make a homeland for Jews (now Israel) The Bund was formed as a Jewish revolutionary party

Pobedonostsev- censorship The church was used to extend the power of the Tsar 1881-1905 the Procurator of the Holy Synod was Konstantin Pobedonostsev He wrote about how he felt Alexander II’s reforms were ‘a grave error’ His most important function was to preach to people to be obedient to the Tsar This obedience was transmitted from bishops to clergy in villages across Russia Traditionally confession was confidential- however this was changed and information was passed frequently to the police and used as evidence against offenders- this increased censorship across Russia Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality

Task: Read through the notes I have given you then answer the questions below: What type of man was Alexander III and how influenced was he by his father? How was Alexander III influenced by his tutor Pobedonostev? What was life like in Tsarist Russia? What was the Russian economy like under the reign of Alexander III? What problems did Russian society and the Romanov monarchy face?

PASTPAPER QUESTION

PASTPAPER QUESTION (c) Why did Alexander III carry out a policy of repression in the years 1881–94? Explain your answer. (8) There are several reasons for Alexander III adopting a policy of repression from 1881-94. One of these reasons was……… Assassination of father- explain… LINK- The assassination of his father combined with the influence of his tutor Influence of Pobedonostsev- explain…