How far do you agree that Russia was radically different under Alexander III?
When Alexander III came into power in 1881, he appeared highly conservative and revered some of the important liberal measures of his father, Alexander II. Although there was a spurt of economic change from figures such as Bunge and Witte, these were only promising to a certain extent.
The underlining factor that supports the theory of Russia only being radically different economically and not politically is that it remained an autocracy. The tsar was still at the top making all the important decisions. Many revolutionaries and reformers, like the Social Democrats and the Kadets, continually attempted to change or over throw the tsarist system.
Unfortunately, none of them succeeded immensely or made a significant change under the reign of Alexander III.
A radical factor that was different under the reign on Alexander III was the persecution of the minorities. Russification was a policy that was introduced under Alexander III. It was the policy of emphasising the superiority of all things Russian. As discrimination was very open in the 1880’s, many nationalities, such as, Germans, the Poles and the Ukrainians, suffered.
The greatest victims of Russification were however, the Jews. Over 600 new measures were imposed to restrict all 5 million of them, socially, politically and economically. Jews were forced in to ghettos and nationalists, like the notorious ‘Black Hundred’ constantly attacked them.
As a result of this, Anti-Semitism was now ingrained in tsarist Russia.
Another important change that happened under this reign was economic change. Russia has progressed from an agrarian society and embarked into industrialisation. ‘The Great Spurt’ of the Russian industry in the 1890’s saw an increase in the output of important raw materials like oil and coal.
Witte, minister of finance, wanted to modernise Russia to compete with other western nations. An example of this was the direct investment in an effective railways system. The Trans-Siberian railway was a special project that Witte hoped would encourage migration workers into cities.
This was a good radical change as the number of workers would steadily increase. Witte also negotiated a series of large loans and investments from abroad and limited foreign imports; this all allowed Russia to impose heavier taxes and interest rates, with the hope it would lead to financial stability.
Instead, this turned into one of the major problems with economic change as Russia became too dependent on loans. The ‘spurt’ unfortunately wasn’t permanent. The idea that it would make the nation strong and protect the tsar from society was overshadowed by the sudden widespread unemployment of workers who hoped from revolution.
On the other hand, the structure of the Russian society remained the same which proves that Russia hadn’t made a mass of significant differences. The percentage of peasants, 82%, was still at its peak and this terrified the ruling classes. Although there was a slight increase in workers through industrialisation, this change wasn’t drastic enough.
This was nothing new in the Russian class system; the ruling classes continued to undermine these ‘dark masses’ to protect their privileges. Without a democratic society, with the tsarist system still intact, peasants and workers has no one to represent them and everyone else, the middle class, the church and the aristocracy did nothing to improve the conditions.
The most important factor that represents why complete radical change in Russia was impossible under the rule of Alexander III was that the nation was still an autocracy. The meant that it was ruled by one and only the tsar, in this case, Alexander III, could make any changes or decisions and there was no restrictions to his power.
In addition, the tsar did have advisors, but this didn’t make it any better as they were appointed and not elected. The tsar’s rule was exercised through three official bodies; the imperial council, cabinet of ministers and the senate. This was all listed in the ‘Fundamental Laws of the Empire’ issued in 1832. Because this was how Russia had been ruled for so many years, there was no sign of change in the future; this was also the result of other factors.
Although, there were small reforms made by Alexander II, like the Emancipation of the Serfs, he feared that it might compromise his power so he returned to tsarist oppression. Unfortunately, this led to his assassination which then resulted in the more severely oppressive nature of Alexander III’s rule.
On the whole, you could argue that there was some radical change of some sort under the reign of Alexander III, but only economically. Witte did a great job continuing the work of Bunge, who was minster in the years of Alexander II. Railway building being their most established and significant work, there was also many other things that changed the economy.
Such as, the reduction of peasant redemption payments and abolishing poll tax. This made life a great deal easier for the vast majority of the population. Unfortunately, this led to recession and worker unrest, so the change didn’t last for long. Russia was socially different in terms of polices such as Russification where the rights of minorities were restricted but socially is also remained the same, as the structure of society was exactly the same.
Due to this fact we can say that Russia remained exactly the same politically under the reign of Alexander III from 1881-94.