1. The Last True Autocrat of Russia
ALEXANDER III The voice of God orders us courageously to undertake the task of ruling, with faith in the strength and rightness of autocratic power.

2. ALEXANDER III: The Russian Bear
Born in St. Petersburg on Feb. 26, 1845
Second son of Tsar Alexander II
Older brother, Nicholas, died in 1865, making him heir to throne
Married the wife of his older brother
Father of 5 children: Nicholas, George, Xenia, Michael & Olga

3. In October 1866 Alexander married the Danish Princess Dagmar
In October 1866 Alexander married the Danish Princess Dagmar. After her conversion to the Greek Orthodox church, she took the name of Marie Fedorovna.

4. ALEXANDER III: The Russian Bear
Assumed the throne and role of Tsar in March 1881 due to assassination of father, Alexander II
Nicknamed the Russian Bear. 6’4’’ tall (193 cm)
Heavily influenced by the conservative political and religious views of his tutor, Count Pobedonostsev
Fierce nationalist and defender of the autocracy.

5. Alexander III: The Royal Family
Michael, Marie Fedorovna, Alexander III, George, Olga, Xenia, & Nicholas

6. Alexander III: Influences - Pobedonestsev
Heavily influenced by Konstantin Pobedonestsev – tutor of 3 different tsars.
Staunch imperialist and supporter of the tools needed to run the empire: Orthodoxy, nationalism, & conservative autocracy

7. ALEXANDER III: INFLUENCES - Pobedonestsev
Taught to view liberal reforms – constitution & free press - as threat to the state.
Threats to the state should be crushed
Influenced by tutor to be anti-semitic – Jews were Christ Killers

8. Was the reign of Tsar Alexander III just 13 years of the 3 R’s ?
1. Repression
2. Russification
3. Railways

9. ALEXANDER III: INFLUENCES – ASSASSINATION OF ALEXANDER II

10. ALEXANDER III: INFLUENCES – Assassination of Alexander II
The assassination of his father occurred at a critical moment
Attempts on Alexander II’s life began in earnest in 1866 forcing Tsar to isolate himself and react more conservatively in last half of reign
Members of the People’s Will succeed in assassinating Alexander II on March 1, 1881
March 1, 1881 is a very significant day

11. ALEXANDER III: INFLUENCES – Death of Father
Rage at father’s death
Event would solidify the reactionary tone of Alexander III’s reign from
Important point: Did not support father’s reforms

12. ALEXANDER III: Importance of Father’s Death
Weakness of policy of reform evident
Reformers wanted same democratic rights as other European countries
Weakness of reform spawned reform groups (Land & Liberty, People’s Will)
Alexander II’s death ended hope for reform from above
ALEXANDER III: Importance of Father’s Death

13. 4. Security & the Judiciary 1. The lives urban & rural workers
3. Education
4. Security & the Judiciary
2. Politics
5. Education
1. The lives urban & rural workers
6. Religion
To what extent did Tsar Alexander III simply turn the clock back to 1855?

14. ALEXANDER III: Personal Ideology Becomes Policy
Reverses father’s commitment to national assembly & constitution
Gives Accession Manifesto (rightness of autocracy, religious references, defines faithful subject)
Determined to strengthen the rule of the tsars as a God given right

15. ALEXANDER III: Counter Reforms
Quickly began dismissing any liberal proposals within government
Liberal judges and officials sacked
Tightened censorship of press
Exiled thousands of revolutionaries to Siberia

16. ALEXANDER III: Counter Reforms - Zemstvos
Alexander II had created local political councils in rural (zemstvos) and urban (dumas) areas.
Alexander III believed that zemstvos impaired position of nobility & endangered class structure.
Appoints crown approved nobles to serve as land captains – would have admin & juridical control.
Segregates zemstvo elections on a class basis (nobles, non-peasants, peasants)
Result: Nobles represented 57%, 30% Peasants, 13% others of zemstvo seats. Nobility clearly dominant.

17. ALEXANDER III: Counter Reforms - Zemstvos
Voting for nobles and others in zemstvo required land ownership
Women & Jews disenfranchised
Decisions of zemstvos had to be approved by Minister of Interior
Crown officials decided if decisions were dangerous to public or local interests
Prevented from raising own money – provincial governors in control of finances now

18. ALEXANDER III: Counter Reforms Political Liberties
After assassination, state of emergency declared (martial law)
Govt. administrators given extra-judicial and executive powers.
Could: issue fines without court appeal, make arrests, confiscate property.
Legal jurisdiction given to military tribunals
Land Captains took over as justice of the peace as justices were sacked.
Huge #’s of people disenfranchised: landless, bulk of urban population, Jews
In Jewish Pale of Settlement 1/10 of officials were Jewish
Autonomy of universities eliminated

19. ALEXANDER III: COUNTER REFORMS The Peasantry – Still in Bondage
1881, redemption made compulsory for all peasants
Peasants needed consent from owners to leave villages, even if they had paid redemption fees
2/3 of zemstvo had to approve breakup of any household
Peasants could not withdraw from commune
Land captains decided partitioning of lands

20. ALEXANDER III: COUNTER REFORMS Urban Workers Misery
50% of workers worked in large factories – workers
Government intervention for disputes between workers and owners
Stiff penalties for strikes
1890, government inspectors given right to use child labor and night-time work for women

21. ALEXANDER III: Counter Reforms Russification
Russification of all elements of Russian society introduced
Imposition of Russian language and schools on all national minorities (Germans, Poles, Finns, etc.)
Use of Russian mandatory by local officials and in courts