The second son of Alexander II took the throne after the death of his older brother. He was not prepared to reign, despite this, his reign in Russia was marked by many events that had rather contradictory consequences. Alexander III brought to naught the liberal and democratic achievements of the country. It was under him that Russia learned what a counter-reform was and felt the consequences of conservative rule.
Shaping the king's beliefs
The political views of Alexander III were shaped under the strong influence of his guardian and mentor K. P. Pobedonostsev.
This odious politician opposed the introduction of Western European social values into the Russian mentality. He considered local self-government bodies unnecessary, their orders - a "talking shop" that should be disposed of. The people, in the understanding of Pobedonostsev, should be led by the father-sovereign. The need to preserve autocracy on the territory of the Russian Empire, the mentor of the sovereign consideredthe only correct policy, and any deviation from the course, in his opinion, could ruin the state and plunge the country into chaos.
Maybe the future monarch would not have doubted the correctness of Pobedonostsev's instructions, but the murder of his father, Alexander II, pushed the autocratic ruler to unequivocal conclusions. Alexander III decided that the liberalization of the Russian people is impossible, and social reforms are dangerous and lead to anarchy.
The political course of Alexander III
The main theses of the political course of Alexander III were as follows:
- Strengthening autocracy, strengthening control over the observance of class orders, expanding the privileges of noble classes.
- Removal of liberal statesmen from power.
- The political structure of Russia began to acquire the features of a police power. The counter-reforms of Alexander III led to the emergence of the Security Department. The tsarist secret police watched the political moods of their subjects, controlled, and, if necessary, suppressed objectionable activities without trial.
Active Russification of the national outskirts and recently annexed territories. This measure was supposed to destroy any attempts by countries to restore their independence and national identity. The ideas of creating national literature, culture, and art were suppressed - national figures learned firsthand what a counter-reform was and what its consequences were
The reforms and counter-reforms of Alexander III did not prevent him from carrying out a rather balanced externalpolitical line. In history, he was called the Peacemaker, because he preferred a peaceful solution to problems to direct military intervention. Under this tsar, Russia did not conduct military operations and did not enter into military alliances.
Period of counter-reforms
Resistance to the introduction of European values in the Russian Empire led to the creation of a number of political decisions that coordinate the course of the king. The years 1880-1900 are called by historians as the period of counter-reforms in the state. At this time, many liberal undertakings and transformations are cancelled. Russia learned what a counter-reform is, and the principles of Nicholas I began to revive.
What are counter-reforms and how they were carried out
Judicial counter-reform gave officials greater powers in choosing jurors. The governor was given the right to challenge any juror without giving reasons. A significant restriction on the property and educational qualifications for assessors was also introduced.
The counter-reforms of Alexander III also affected local government. Peasants significantly reduced the number of their representatives in local governments, and for hereditary nobles, on the contrary, the quota increased. Additional circulars prepared the transformation of the electoral system, which resulted in a decrease in the number of persons allowed to vote.
Restrictions in the field of education and the press have hit hard on those liberals who have not yet realized what a counter-reform is. Having set a goal to prevent the strengthening of liberal sentiments in society, decisive measures were taken totightening control over youth and students. Women's courses are being closed, universities are being deprived of their rights and freedoms, tuition fees have been raised, and the top management of universities is appointed from above. In addition, according to the circular "On Cook's Children", people of the lower classes were deprived of the right to receive higher education.
The main counter-reforms, the table of which is given below, clearly describe all the main points of the king's activities on the way to an autocratic police department.
Counter-reforms of Alexander III. Results
As a result of the internal policy of Alexander the Peacemaker, the relative stabilization of the internal political life of the country has become. But the desire for freedom and democracy did not die out - it literally exploded in the vastness of Russia, when the son of Alexander III, Nicholas II, came to power.
