Alexander II Essay
How far did Russia experience a period of “reaction” following the assassination of Alexander II?
On 13 March 1881, Tsar Alexander II was assassinated by the populist terrorist group the “People’s Will”, due to the reforms he had created, although he was on the way to give Russia its first national assembly before his death. Therefore his son Alexander III became Tsar in place of his deceased father. Immediately, Alexander III turned his back on all the reforms created by his father, and he swiftly discredited them. However he announced his determination to rule as an autocrat and he appointed several ministers, one of the more significant appointments being Konstantin Pobedonostsev. His attitudes consisted of re-enforcing the authority …show more content…
Witte introduced a series of interlocking policies to try and achieve his aims. Home industries were protected against foreign competition by high import duties imposed in 1887 and again in 1891. The metal industry benefited most, as did the Moscow textile industry whereas textile producers in St Petersburg found they had to pay more for supplies of Raw Cotton by sea. Higher tariffs also increased government revenue greatly. Witte attracted foreign investment especially French and Belgium orientated and they were encouraged to invest in Russia’s growing industry. The rouble was declining dramatically and this was addressed by the new rouble in 1897. It was placed on the Gold Standard in the hope of increasing investor’s confidence. The value was fixed against other currencies and was made freely convertible to gold to hope it would produce a more stable rouble and end the wild fluctuations of previous years. Railways were constructed to provide easier access to raw materials and market for finished goods. His greatest achievement was the Trans-Siberian Railway which would help the development of Russian influence in the Far East, and became an important supplier of grain, meat and butter for the markets of Moscow and St
On 13 March 1881, Tsar Alexander II was assassinated by the populist terrorist group the “People’s Will”, due to the reforms he had created, although he was on the way to give Russia its first national assembly before his death. Therefore his son Alexander III became Tsar in place of his deceased father. Immediately, Alexander III turned his back on all the reforms created by his father, and he swiftly discredited them. However he announced his determination to rule as an autocrat and he appointed several ministers, one of the more significant appointments being Konstantin Pobedonostsev. His attitudes consisted of re-enforcing the authority …show more content…
Witte introduced a series of interlocking policies to try and achieve his aims. Home industries were protected against foreign competition by high import duties imposed in 1887 and again in 1891. The metal industry benefited most, as did the Moscow textile industry whereas textile producers in St Petersburg found they had to pay more for supplies of Raw Cotton by sea. Higher tariffs also increased government revenue greatly. Witte attracted foreign investment especially French and Belgium orientated and they were encouraged to invest in Russia’s growing industry. The rouble was declining dramatically and this was addressed by the new rouble in 1897. It was placed on the Gold Standard in the hope of increasing investor’s confidence. The value was fixed against other currencies and was made freely convertible to gold to hope it would produce a more stable rouble and end the wild fluctuations of previous years. Railways were constructed to provide easier access to raw materials and market for finished goods. His greatest achievement was the Trans-Siberian Railway which would help the development of Russian influence in the Far East, and became an important supplier of grain, meat and butter for the markets of Moscow and St