Why was Alexander III the most autocratic ruler?

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  • Created by: Molls_x
  • Created on: 20-09-17 10:11
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  • Why was Alexander III the most autocratic ruler?
    • Alexander III believed that for this to be unchallenged during his reign, the reforms of Alexander II had to be withdrawn
      • It was not possible to reverse the emancipation of the serfs but it was possible to reverse the power of the zemstva (local councils) and under Alexander III, their powers were distinctly curbed and handed to the Ministry of the Interior.
        • The Ministry of the Interior had to give its permission if taxes were to be raised by the zemstva. 
          • In this way, the government tried to ensure that its people held power at a local level and would do what they could to support Alexander III. 
            • Minister of the Interior was also given the power to nominate peasants to the zemstva at a local level if the ones already there did not meet with the approval of the central government.
            • In 1889, the minimal powers that the zemstva had were removed; local justices of the peace were also removed and replaced by a system of land captains who were directly appointed and answerable to the Minister of the Interior.
              • Only the Minister of the Interior could remove the land captains and at a local level each land captain was given draconian rights – sending offenders into exile, flogging and handing out the death penalty.
        • Minister of the Interior was also given the power to nominate peasants to the zemstva at a local level if the ones already there did not meet with the approval of the central government.
    • The church was also used to extend the power of the tsar.
      • From 1881 to 1905, the Procurator of the Holy Synod was Pobedonestsev.
        • The most important function of the Holy Synod was to preach obedience to the tsar; spirituality came second.
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        •  This obedience was meant to be transmitted from bishops to clergy in the villages. 
        • Traditionally, what was said at confession was never divulged to a third party. 
          • Pobedonestsev changed this and information passed to a member of the church during confession was frequently passed on to the police and used as evidence against an offender.
    • In a further effort to restrict what people could do, education was also reformed.
      • The rights of universities to appoint their own professors was abolished and new legislation required the government’s approval for new syllabuses to be taught. No student was allowed to be taught History unless he had permission from the Minister of Education.
    • The reign of Alexander III did a great deal to extend the power of the tsar at the expense of liberties taken for granted in Western Europe. 
      • However, it needed a like-minded man keen to involve himself in the hard work of government to succeed Alexander III if the reforms were to have a lasting impact
        • Nicholas II was not this type of man. 
          • Alexander III was diligent, mentally strong and was willing to work for what he wanted.
          • Nicholas was weak, lazy and willing for others to do the work for him.
    • He was tutored by Konstantin Pobedonostev, a firm upholder of autocracy and repression, who taught him that any concessions would be indications of cowardice and failure on his part.   
      •    Alexander had watched his father die and was so fearful of revolutionary activity that he lived in a fortified palace in Gatchina.  
      • Alexander was very strong, looked like an autocrat and had a commanding character.  
    • Alexander III believed:
      • His power was undermined by western ideas and urban discontent.
        • The solution was to turn back the clock and halt reform, even avoiding the ‘western’ St Petersburg. 
        • Concessions were a sign of weakness. Wasn't prepared to contemplate the dilution of autocracy by a system of representative assemblies  (this can be seen as the influence of Pobedonostev).
    • He was in the army until the death of his elder brother in 1865.  
    • Wanted to re-assert the personal authority of the tsar.
      • He began his reign by hanging those who were involved in his father’s death.
      • Alexander introduced new legislation to extend the powers of the police. The Gendarmerie was the  uniformed security police responsible for law enforcement and state security. 
        • The Gendarmes investigated political and criminal cases, tracked down fugitives, controlled riots and was staffed entirely by noble army officers who relied on a network of informers.
          • There was also a drive to recruit spies, counter-spies and ‘agents provocateur’ who would pose as revolutionaries to incriminate others.
            • From 1882 any area of the Empire could be deemed an ‘area of subversion’ and police agents could search, arrest, detain, question, imprison or exile those who had committed a crime or were thought likely to
              • •Arrested persons had no right to legal representation.
        • The Gendarmerie operated around the country and the Okhrana was based in St Petersburg, Moscow and Warsaw. They intercepted mail, checked up on factories, army and universities and detained suspects, often resorting to torture and executions. 
          • Communists, socialists and trade unionists were particular targets of their investigations but they also watched members of the government. 
            • From 1882 any area of the Empire could be deemed an ‘area of subversion’ and police agents could search, arrest, detain, question, imprison or exile those who had committed a crime or were thought likely to
              • •Arrested persons had no right to legal representation.
    • Land Captains
      • Recruited from the nobility and given wide-ranging powers, inculding the power to overrule the zemstva and ignore judicial process and overturn court judgments. 
      • Until 1904 they could publicly flog peasants for minor offences.  In 1889 they were given the powers of magistrates.
      • An 1885 decree re-introduced closed court sessions without juries for a number of crimes.
        • 1890 peasants’ vote in elections for the zemstva reduced.
          • Recruited from the nobility and given wide-ranging powers, inculding the power to overrule the zemstva and ignore judicial process and overturn court judgments. 

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