The extent and effectiveness of opposition during Alexander II’s time?

Questions and Answers

What percentage of Russia's population did peasants make up during Alexander II's reign?

80% (correct)

65%

90%

50%

What was the primary concern of the peasants during Alexander II's reign?

Growing enough food (correct)

Mobilizing against the Tsar

Securing land ownership

Reforming government policies

How many peasant uprisings occurred shortly after the emancipation?

647 (correct)

320

499

850

Why was opposition from peasants considered relatively limited?

Their uprisings were mostly localized and not against Tsarism. Signup and view all the answers

What trend was observed in peasant opposition following their emancipation?

General decline in opposition Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criteria that can be used to judge the effectiveness of opposition?

The impact on the government and their aims Signup and view all the answers

What major uprisings associated with the Russian Revolution did not occur until after Alexander II's reign?

1905/6 uprisings Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the nature of peasant revolts recorded shortly after their emancipation?

Local issues concerning local lords Signup and view all the answers

What was a common agreement among the major thinkers of the Russian intelligentsia during Alexander II's reign?

They believed that the current system needed to change. Signup and view all the answers

How were the Populists influenced by Alexander Herzen's ideas?

They sought to mobilize the peasants by spreading Herzen's message. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary outcome of the Populists' attempts to reach the peasants in 1874 and 1876?

They faced mass arrest and returned to the cities disappointed. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the shift in strategy within opposition groups following the formation of Land and Liberty?

A transition towards more violent responses. Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated number of members in the Land and Liberty group?

200 members at most. Signup and view all the answers

Which group was directly influenced by the failures of the Populists?

Land and Liberty. Signup and view all the answers

What notable event happened during the trials of the Populists that impacted public perception?

The speeches made during trials gained significant media attention. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Vera Zasulich take that reflected a change in tactics by the opposition?

She attempted to assassinate a government official. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is associated with the ideology rooted in the mir and socialism, primarily influencing the Populists?

Alexander Herzen's society. Signup and view all the answers

How did the opposition of the intelligentsia influence the future of Russian political movements?

It created a foundation for subsequent radical movements. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the effectiveness of the intelligentsia's opposition during Alexander II's reign?

They lacked direct influence on Alexander II's reforms. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key belief of the Populists regarding the peasantry in Russia?

They believed the peasants would blindly follow their ideology without resistance. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for the Populists after their attempts to engage with the peasants?

Most of their members were arrested and faced trials. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Alexander II's major concerns at the beginning of his reign?

Revolution from below Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant result of peasant opposition during Alexander II's reign?

Partial reforms in education and local governance Signup and view all the answers

What was the condition of the nobility by Alexander II's ascension in 1855?

They were heavily mortgaged and had diminished power Signup and view all the answers

How did the Zemstva impact local governance after their creation?

They were mainly effective administrators but dominated by nobility Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of Alexander II to the St Petersburg Zemstva's demands in 1865?

He outright refused the request Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate outcome of noble opposition during the reign of Alexander II?

Minimal success, leading to reduced power Signup and view all the answers

What role did the intelligentsia play in opposition to Alexander II?

They influenced reforms through their writings Signup and view all the answers

Which body is mentioned as having minimal direct success in their opposition during Alexander II's reign?

The Zemstva Signup and view all the answers

What was a long-term effect of the reforms initiated by Alexander II after serf emancipation?

Reduction in the power of the nobility Signup and view all the answers

What action did Alexander II take in response to multiple assassination attempts in the later part of the 1870s?

He began a series of constitutional reforms Signup and view all the answers

What key influence did the nobility have during Alexander II’s reign despite their reduced power?

Influence through Alexander II's ministers Signup and view all the answers

What was a defining characteristic of the intelligentsia during Alexander II's reign?

Small and divided group of thinkers Signup and view all the answers

Which group attempted to gain influence through discussions concerning constitutional reform in 1878?

The Zemstva Signup and view all the answers

How did Alexander II's approach to reforms ultimately affect the Zemstva?

It resulted in increased government control over them Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the attempts on Alexander II's life?

Tighter control and repression by the government. Signup and view all the answers

Which group favored peaceful means and focused on principles put forward by Herzen?

Black Partition Group Signup and view all the answers

How did the general public respond to the actions of the Land and Liberty group?

They showed apathy towards the group's actions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of the Black Partition Group during Alexander II’s reign?

They were arrested and lost many members. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the People’s Will's approach to opposing the tsar?

They favored violent direct action. Signup and view all the answers

What was the final outcome associated with the assassination carried out by the People’s Will?

It strengthened the oppressive rules under Alexander III. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor would indicate that opposition during Alexander II's rule was limited?

Small group memberships and lack of united action. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of the peasants' opposition during Alexander II's reign?

Significant loyalty to the tsar despite grievances. Signup and view all the answers

Which group succeeded in assassinating Alexander II?

People’s Will Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of the tsarist state to the opposition movements?

Responded with widespread arrests and repression. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happened to the efforts of the intelligentsia opposed to Alexander II?

They failed to achieve significant changes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Loris-Melikov reforms after the assassination of Alexander II?

They did not provide real power or change. Signup and view all the answers

How many members did the People’s Will approximately consist of?

500 Signup and view all the answers

What was the main tactic of the People’s Will after the split from the Land and Liberty movement?

Resorted to direct violent actions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Extent and Effectiveness of Opposition During Alexander II's Reign

Opposition during Alexander II's time can be categorized based on various social groups: Peasants, Nobility, Zemstva, Intelligentsia, Populists, Land and Liberty, People's Will, and Black Partition Group.

Peasants

Peasants constituted around 80% of Russia's population.
Significant uprisings occurred post-emancipation, with around 647 noted incidents, but these declined over time until the 1905 Revolution.
Peasant revolts typically focused on local grievances rather than attacking Tsarism directly.
Emancipation of the serfs was partially driven by peasant opposition, indicating some effectiveness, as well as subsequent reforms that benefited them.
Despite improvements, peasant opposition remained subdued throughout Alexander II's reign.

Nobility

By 1855, the nobility had weakened significantly due to previous Tsarist policies.
Their opposition relied more on influence rather than violent resistance, marked by a reduced power base.
Attempts at influencing the tsar during emancipation were largely ineffective; though they received compensation, their power diminished further.
Overall, noble opposition failed to regain previous authority or influence effectively.

Zemstva

Created in 1864, the Zemstva aimed at modernizing local governance post-emancipation.
They served as effective local administrators but were largely dominated by the nobility.
Instances of opposition occurred in the late 1860s and in 1878, but achieved little direct change.
While they initiated discussions for constitutional reforms, no substantial transformation took place during Alexander II's era, leaving their effectiveness limited.

Intelligentsia

A small and divided group, the intelligentsia consisted of middle-class thinkers with limited direct influence on immediate reforms under Alexander II.
Key figures included Michael Bakunin, Alexander Herzen, Chernyshevsky, and Aksakov, each advocating different ideas for Russia's future.
Their influence laid the groundwork for future opposition groups but failed to drive significant changes during Alexander II’s reign.

Populists (Narodniks)

A small faction aiming for radical change, heavily influenced by Herzen's ideas centered on the peasantry.
Failed to gain traction with the peasant population during attempts to incite revolution in 1874 and 1876, resulting in mass arrests.
Although their trials garnered public attention and sympathy, they ultimately did not achieve significant political change.

Land and Liberty

Emerged as a splinter group from the Populists with approximately 200 members.
Engaged in more violent methods of opposition, including high-profile assassinations, but did not generate substantial change in governance.
Despite some public support during trials, their actions ultimately led to increased repression rather than reform.

People’s Will and Black Partition Group

The People’s Will, composed of around 500 members, favored violent direct action, leading to the assassination of Alexander II.
The Black Partition Group focused on peaceful means but had negligible impact and faced severe repression.
While the assassination of Alexander II can be seen as a success for the People’s Will, it did not lead to significant changes in the political structure, only more oppressive measures under Alexander III.

Conclusion

Opposition activities during Alexander II's reign exhibited varied extent and effectiveness, with groups largely consisting of small, educated factions.
No group achieved their overarching goals, and the autocratic governance continued unaltered.
While the assassination of Alexander II is notable, it did not culminate in transformative political reform, underscoring the limited effectiveness of all opposition efforts.

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Description

This quiz explores the extent and effectiveness of opposition during the reign of Alexander II in Russia. Participants will assess both the volume of dissent among the population and how successful these opposition movements were in challenging his policies. Dive into the complexities of political resistance during this critical period in Russian history.