 starter activity Peter Stolypin, Russian Prime Minister (replacing Witte) from when he was assassinated at Kirov Opera House.

Tsar Nicholas II’s account of Stolypin’s murder During the second interval we had just left the box, as it was so hot, when we heard two sounds as if something had been dropped. I thought an opera glass might have fallen on somebody's head and ran back into the box to look. To the right I saw a group of officers and other people. They seemed to be dragging someone along. Women were shrieking and, directly in front of me in the stalls, Stolypin was standing. He slowly turned his face towards me and with his left hand made the sign of the Cross in the air. Only then did I notice he was very pale and that his right hand and uniform were bloodstained. He slowly sank into his chair and began to unbutton his tunic. People were trying to lynch the assassin. I am sorry to say the police rescued him from the crowd and took him to an isolated room for his first examination. During the second interval we had just left the box, as it was so hot, when we heard two sounds as if something had been dropped. I thought an opera glass might have fallen on somebody's head and ran back into the box to look. To the right I saw a group of officers and other people. They seemed to be dragging someone along. Women were shrieking and, directly in front of me in the stalls, Stolypin was standing. He slowly turned his face towards me and with his left hand made the sign of the Cross in the air. Only then did I notice he was very pale and that his right hand and uniform were bloodstained. He slowly sank into his chair and began to unbutton his tunic. People were trying to lynch the assassin. I am sorry to say the police rescued him from the crowd and took him to an isolated room for his first examination.

Did Stolypin get his just desserts? To assess Stolypin’s achievements Explain why he might have been assassinated  Aims

 Your task You are going to evaluate the successes and failures of Stolypin. As you work through each section record information in the appropriate section of your scales chart. You are going to evaluate the successes and failures of Stolypin. As you work through each section record information in the appropriate section of your scales chart. Read Oxley, p and … Read Oxley, p and … Explain why Stolypin made land reform a priority Explain why Stolypin made land reform a priority Summarise the key reforms he introduced Summarise the key reforms he introduced

Land reform Strengthen support for regime – bringing liberals & peasants on board Strengthen support for regime – bringing liberals & peasants on board Peasant support esp. important – largest proportion of population, numbers growing Peasant support esp. important – largest proportion of population, numbers growing

Land reform State & Crown lands made available to Peasants’ Land Bank for sale to peasants (kulaks) State & Crown lands made available to Peasants’ Land Bank for sale to peasants (kulaks) Peasants could withdraw from their commune (mir) & set up on their own Peasants could withdraw from their commune (mir) & set up on their own End to land redistribution – land passed automatically to head of family End to land redistribution – land passed automatically to head of family Peasants had more incentive to improve their land & output Peasants had more incentive to improve their land & output 3 million received govt. aid to est. farms in Siberia 3 million received govt. aid to est. farms in Siberia

FSG

 Your task Read the first 2 paragraphs on p.72 and list other reforms or policies Stolypin successfully introduced. Read the first 2 paragraphs on p.72 and list other reforms or policies Stolypin successfully introduced.

Other reforms Primary schools doubled ( ) Primary schools doubled ( ) Spending on health, poor relief, aid for farmers doubled ( ) Spending on health, poor relief, aid for farmers doubled ( )

 Your task Read the remainder of p. 72 and list negative reactions to Stolypin’s reforms. Read the remainder of p. 72 and list negative reactions to Stolypin’s reforms.

Failures Attempts to introduce greater religious toleration for Jews Attempts to introduce greater religious toleration for Jews Plan to extend zemstva into non-Russian areas rejected by State Council (appointed upper chamber of Duma) proposals for lower level of zemstva rejected Plan to extend zemstva into non-Russian areas rejected by State Council (appointed upper chamber of Duma) proposals for lower level of zemstva rejected

 Your task Now Read Lynch, p.27-8 and add any further evidence of successes or failures for Stolypin Now Read Lynch, p.27-8 and add any further evidence of successes or failures for Stolypin

Successes Successes ‘Wager on the strong’ – creation of new prosperous class of peasants ‘Wager on the strong’ – creation of new prosperous class of peasants Fostered good working relationship with duma – last opportunity for peaceful reform under Tsars Fostered good working relationship with duma – last opportunity for peaceful reform under Tsars Failures Land reforms took time – Stolypin spoke of needing 20 years, but was killed after 5 Conservatism of Russian peasants – by 1914 only 10% of land taken out of mirs Ministry of Agriculture lost confidence in reforms

Plenary Plenary On balance do you think Stolypin’s successes outweighed his failures? On balance do you think Stolypin’s successes outweighed his failures? Some historians believe the Tsar and his government conspired with the Socialist Revolutionaries to kill Stolypin. Do you believe this conspiracy theory? Some historians believe the Tsar and his government conspired with the Socialist Revolutionaries to kill Stolypin. Do you believe this conspiracy theory? Stolypin’s grave, Kiev