Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
How stable was autocracy during the reigns of Alexander II and III? -…
How stable was autocracy during the reigns of Alexander II and III?
Autocracy was stable
Failures of radical groups
Tchaikovsy circle- v small gp, could only have limited impact, pushing radical material only
Populists (Narodniks)- Most were arrested by police and ideas rejected by cons peasantry
Land and Liberty- too divided to pose any threat, split was inevitable
Black Repartition most arrested 1880-81. Peaceful, may influence but loyalty to Tsar too strong in peasantry
People' Will- small group of dedicated radicals. Killed Tsar, but ultimately failed to destroy Tsarist system. AIII clamped down on behaviour and arrested/ executed most of group. Introduced martial law and Statute of State Security.
resurrected in 1886, however all 5 hanged, inc Lenin's brother
Alexander II reactions
- Shuvalov strengthened the police and third section. Courts could follow a military court.
Alexander III's repression of liberals
- land captains 1889 meant that the Zemstva lost authority as they could veto their decisions. Zemstva act of 1890 reduced the weighting of peasant votes which ensured that the cons nobles
AIII changed the judicial system, closing the open courts and reintroduced censorship, preventing the liberal lawyers gaining popularity
AIII's other policies
Manifesto of unshakable autocracy was introduced where AIII promised to rule with iron fist.
law of exceptional measures meant that a Commander-in-chief could take control of a locality and use martial law
Police and spies increased, 1882 saw new law to arrest those who MAY commit crimes.
Courts closed, gave individuals little protection.
Uni life closely watched, professionals had to be vetted on moral, religious and patriotic grounds.
Censorship was increased, banning publications which criticises Tsarism
Autocracy was weakened
AII reforms weakened tsarism
Censorship made it easier to criticize the regime, due to less strict checks
Emancipation led to frustration towards pace of change. Peasants expected more, now disappointed. Nobles annoyed at lack of influence.
Impact of legal reforms- trained lawyers skilled in persuasion and ready to challenge autocracy
Zemstva impact- encouraged liberals to take part in local gov, encouraged them to fight for national change.
reaction in the 1870s frustrated those that had been hopeful for further reform.
Growing importance of liberals
although many had diff political ideas, all believed Russia needed more individual freedom. Liberal Intelligentsia were a group of middle class opponents and forward thinking nobles. Many had travelled abroad and were aware of the problems in Russia
Educational and judicial reforms of AII encouraged confidence, lawyers becoming celebrities in papers.
Zemstva got taste of local gov, and showed political abilities, criticised Tsar
AIII- Great Famine 1891-2, proved a turning point as 350,000 died of starvation/ disease and gov did nothing. Vyshnygradsky blamed. Zemstva provided relief, increasing rural support and damaged tsar and peasant links
Conservative opposition
Most successful opposition
Reforms created hostility amongst nobles, as they endangered their way of life. More difficult for tsar to control these men due to his reliance upon them.
Manipulated him into reverting to conservative policies in 1870s, AIII's reactionary policies is further evidence of this success at weakening autocracy
Successes of Radical groups
Tchaikovsky circle- set up in 1868, group of printers published and distributed radical material. First group to take opposition to peasants. Only small (100)
Populists, largest group. Sent to countryside to encourage peasants to follow ideas of Chernyshevsky and Bakunin's works. Ultimately failed, 1600/2000 arrested due to peasant loyalty. Set up in 1874
Land and liberty- successors to populists, sent people in disguise as docs, teachers and workmen. Also carried out assassinations. Dual nature led to split.
Black repartition continued peaceful methods, campaigning for sharing of black soil methods.
Peoples Will- most successful as assassinated AII in March 1881.
Radical Oppostition under AIII- emancipation of labour under Plekhanov smuggled Karxist tests into Russia. Limited impact, however did develop two stage revolutionary idea for Russia. Need to be capitalist before socialist.
Groaning Literary Radicalism
Chernyshev “what is to be done?” Peasants had to lead revolution 1862
Herzen “The Bell Journal”
Advocated for peasant based social structure.
Bakunin translated Marx’s Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital. Suggested priv ownership to be replaced with collective ownership. 1869-72
1869- Bakunin and Nachaev wrote “Cathechism of a Revolutionary”. Called upon opponents to autocracy to be merciless in pursuit of revolution.