Alexander III: Reassertion of autocracy (6)
- Created by: MonsurAli
- Created on: 01-06-17 17:38
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- Alexander III: Reassertion of autocracy
- He came to the throne in 1881; advised by reactionary Pobedonostsev.
- Pobedonostsev urged Alex III to abandon his father's reforms and reassert authority.
- New Tsar announced: 'I shall be sole and absolute ruler, for a kingdom cannot be ruled without an iron hand. Only absolute power can safeguard Russia.’
- Began his reign by hanging those who murdered his father.
- Local govt changes
- 1889: Land Captains introduced who were appointed by the nobility. They replaced local magistrates and could override Zemstva decisions. Could even order flogging and overturn judgements in local courts.
- 1890: Peasant vote to the Zemstva reduced. Also outspoken liberal members of the Judiciary and Zemstca were removed from office.
- This channelled efforts away from politics and towards society.
- 1892: similar was done in towns. Electorate reduced to chose who had property above a certain value.
- Could be argued that it helped ensure a more efficient collection of taxes, but Alan Wood argues it just directed views away from the regime.
- Policing changes
- Department of Police (and Okhrana) led by Plehve (1881-84) and Durnovo from 1884.
- From 1882, Police could arrest, imprison or exile anyone on suspicion.
- Okhrana had several offices and watched over everything. They read mail, checked up on factories, universities etc, and detained suspects (sometimes leading to torture).
- Department of Police (and Okhrana) led by Plehve (1881-84) and Durnovo from 1884.
- Judicial changes
- Partially reversed Alex II's reforms. 1887 closed court sessions could be reintroduced and held by the Ministry.
- 1887; property and qualifications to become a lawyer were raised.
- 1889 Volost courts were put under jurisdiction of Land Captains in the countryside and judges in the towns.
- Educational changes
- 1884: Deans and professors appointed by Education Ministry based on religion, not education.
- Delyanov closed uni for women, and uni life was closely monitered. Students could not gather in groups more than 5. Only 21% were literate by 1897.
- Lowest classes restricted from Primary education and it was put in the hands of the Orthodox Church.
- Censorship changes
- Tolstoy issued 'temporary regulations'; allowed newspapers to be closed down and could ban editors and publishers.
- Publications had to be approved and libraries were restricted in the books they were allowed to stock.
- Also extended to theatre, art and culture where 'Russification' was enforced.
- He came to the throne in 1881; advised by reactionary Pobedonostsev.
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