The main goal of Alexander's domestic policy 3. Alexander the Third: domestic and foreign policy

Alexander III resolutely rejected reform projects, dismissed Loris-Melikov and other liberals. On April 25, 1881, a Manifesto was issued declaring that the tsar would act "with faith in the strength and truth of autocratic power."

In August 1881, to fight revolutionary movement the tsar issued the "Regulations on measures to protect public order and public peace." The "provision" was confirmed every three years and lasted until the overthrow of the monarchy.

The governors received the right to introduce a state of emergency in the provinces, expel undesirable persons, close enterprises and educational establishments, suspend periodicals.

Under the Minister of the Interior, a Special Council was formed, which could exile without trial for 5 years. Throughout Russia, departments were created to maintain order and public security with large agents ("Okhranka").

In 1889, instead of the magistrate's court and mediators, zemstvo district chiefs were introduced in the local administration, who were appointed from the nobility by the Minister of the Interior. They combined in their person the judicial and administrative power over the rural population, could appoint and cancel the composition volost courts, cancel the decisions of village and volost meetings, subject the peasants to arrest, corporal punishment.

In 1890, the Zemstvo counter-reform began. The peasants were deprived of the right to directly elect vowels: now the volost gathering elected only candidates for vowels, and their governor approved them. The resolutions of the zemstvo assemblies were also subject to approval by the governor.

In 1892, a new city regulation was issued, replacing the former tax qualification with a property one: in a provincial city - from 1 to 3 thousand rubles. In fact, only the owners of industrial and commercial establishments remained voters. The decisions of the Duma were henceforth subject to approval by a special official.

The reactionary nature of the government's course was clearly manifested in the field of education. In 1887 the Minister of Public Education issued circular, according to which it was forbidden to accept "children of coachmen, lackeys, laundresses, small shopkeepers, etc." in the gymnasium. It was called the "circular about the cook's children." In the countryside, as opposed to zemstvo schools, the number of parochial schools increased.

The new university charter deprived the university councils of the right to choose rectors and professors. Liberal-minded teachers were fired. The attack on women's education began. Admission to the only women's medical school. Of all the women's higher courses that existed in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan and Kyiv, only one has survived - in St. Petersburg.

The seal was placed in a difficult position. The "Temporary Rules on the Press" (1882) introduced the so-called "punitive censorship", obliging publications to submit regular issues to censorship on the eve of their release after the third warning. This led to the cessation of many publications. The right to close any publications was granted not only to the Ministry of the Interior, but also to the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod.

The counter-reforms of Alexander III caused deep discontent in society and contributed to the aggravation of social contradictions.

Certain hopes were pinned by society on the new Emperor Nicholas II (1894 - 1917). However, in the first public speaking Nikolay stated that the constitutional plans are just "meaningless dreams." Thus, his commitment to autocracy, the course of Alexander III was clearly expressed.

The foreign policy of Alexander 3 often falls out of the memory of the guys, because it seems that nothing much happened during his reign. After all, as a Peacemaker, he entered the history of Russia - that means there were no wars, after all - you can not figure it out!

In fact, you can’t think like that: there are no topics in history in which nothing needs to be taught. We bring to your attention a summary of the lesson for grade 8, in which this topic should be discussed in the lessons.

By the way, about the domestic policy of this king.

Contents briefly

The reign of Alexander the Third was one of the most peaceful in the entire history of the Russian Empire, for which people called him a “peacemaker”. But, it was also a time of curtailing the reforms that Alexander II carried out. The emperor explained this by the fact that the reforms gave a lot of freedom to people, because of which his father Alexander II died - terrorists from Narodnaya Volya blew up his carriage.

The foreign policy of Alexander 3 was restrained, peaceful and balanced. It was possible to establish friendship with the leading powers - England and France. The emperor was the guarantor of stability in Europe and Asiatic possessions. Several large-scale wars were stopped, including with Japan. Military-political blocs were created: the “Triple Alliance” and the Franco-Russian Union, the “Union of the Three Emperors” was updated. The Trans-Siberian Railway was laid.

Main events

Key events with dates to keep in mind before the exam.

1881 - annexation of Ashgabat, creation of the Transcaspian region
1881, June 6 (according to the new style 18) - creation of the renewed "Union of Three Emperors" (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia)
1885 - rapprochement with England
1887 - conclusion of an agreement with Germany
1882 - registration of the "Triple Alliance" with Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, the first military-political bloc
1890 - "Trade war" with Germany
1891 - start of construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway
1895 - establishment of the borders of Russia and England in Central Asia
1894 - 1895 — Sino-Japanese War

Plan

Briefly, foreign policy can be described as follows:

Characteristics of foreign policy;

Main events;

Main differences;

Conclusions.

Foreign Policy Tasks

Avoiding war in the Balkans;
Ensuring peace in Europe after the Patriotic and Russian-Turkish wars;
Delimitation of spheres of influence in Europe and Central Asia;
Russian-German relations;
Asian question;
Establishing friendly relations with France;
Search for allies in Europe.

Characteristics of foreign policy

Alexander the Third differed from his predecessors in his straightforwardness, impartiality and honesty. The latter was manifested in the rejection of "secret diplomacy", when there were secret divisions of the territory and the conclusion of secret treaties. He knew exactly where the sphere of interests of the country was located and sought its recognition from other rulers.

The basis of all the victories in the world was that our Emperor did not follow the lead of many European monarchs and diplomats who tried to provoke new war but adopted a very stubborn and low-key policy. This was the key to maintaining calm for the then monarchies. Since the Empire managed to calm down the insolent Turks for a while, granting freedom to the Balkans, in particular Bulgaria, then we can be trusted with Europe.

Main events

If we talk about the Balkan issue, here we have given complete freedom of action - there are problems with other countries - solve them yourself! But we have lost influence in the Balkans.

If we talk about the European question, they also showed restraint here: they took it and made friends with France, although quite recently we almost got the “key” to Paris! The next step was to conclude an agreement beneficial for the country, under which we would guarantee ourselves security. This was done in 1887 with Germany - it was a "reinsurance contract". But Kaiser Wilhelm did not even think of living in peace with Russia, but he took it and secretly signed peace with Austria-Hungary, although this later turned out sideways to them, but they did not know about it yet. And since 1890, the “customs war” began - the German authorities decided to raise duties on Russian goods. Friendship with Germany came to an end.

But we managed to formalize the first military-political bloc in history - the Franco-Russian alliance (the future Entente). Here we saved France from a war on two fronts - with Austria-Hungary and Germany. And Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy created the "Triple Alliance", hostile to Russia and France.

Then Emperor Alexander turned his gaze to Central Asia- Ashgabat was included in the Empire, forming the Transcaspian region. The Queen of England was concerned about this fact, because it threatened the interests of the crown. The All-Russian Emperor was able to resolve the issue peacefully by moving closer to England in 1885 and convening a commission that determined the border of the states in 1895.

By that time, in the Far East, which was still not very developed and far from St. Petersburg, Japan showed its claims. This seriously alerted the monarch and his entourage, because Japan could well have attacked Russia, as happened with China (Japanese-Chinese war of 1894-1895). It was decided to start building the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1891. Soon, this step justified itself, giving a powerful impetus to the development of Siberia and Far East. Japanese troops captured Port Arthur, Manchuria and the Liaondong Peninsula, but Russia, Germany and France are forced to abandon all conquests.

The main differences in foreign policy

We will present this item in the form of a small table:

№	a brief description of	in detail
1.	The Emperor is the guarantor of stability	Like his predecessors, he tried to act as a guarantor of stability in Europe and the Balkans, so he did not send troops to Bulgaria when the situation "heated up" and kept the "balance of power" in the region
2.	Maintained influence	Concluded guarantee agreements with leading powers, trying to maintain influence in Europe, in the Far East
3.	Russia is an “arbiter”	Prevented many armed conflicts between countries
4.	Alliance with England and France	Many predicted rapprochement with Germany. But Chancellor Bismarck did not let these plans come true.
5.	"Control of foreign policy	The emperor tried to independently control the affairs of the world by appointing an obedient and executive functionary - Minister of Foreign Affairs N. Girs

conclusions

The reign of Alexander III can be safely called “stable” and “calm”. The conservatism and stubbornness of the monarch contributed to gaining the authority of a reliable ally, a fair arbiter in international disputes.

The people definitely called Alexander III the “peacemaker king”, capable of solving problems through diplomatic means. And I must say “thank you” to him for the Trans-Siberian Railway, because the remote outskirts of the Empire will now be able to develop and attract more and more new people!

"Peacemaker" - this is how the reign of Alexander 3 was characterized. Internal and was brilliantly carried out by this sovereign. He was not prepared to be the heir to the throne, but due to tragic circumstances, Alexander had to become one. Loving motherland, caring for his people, his identity, he managed to raise the state, exhausted by the war with the Turks, financially and morally. This is one of the few sovereigns who managed to provide their people with life without wars, because for his reign the Russian Empire had no conflicts with any of the states. In the article we will tell you what kind of emperor Alexander 3 was. Internal and foreign policy briefly described and analyzed.

Alexander III: accession to the throne

How did Alexander come to the Russian throne? He was not born heir to the throne. His older brother, Nikolai, was to inherit the crown. However, the latter dies in 1991. Accordingly, young Alexander is urgently being prepared so that he can take over the work of his father, Emperor Alexander II, with dignity.

In general, Alexander III was prepared for a brilliant military career, but the plans were not destined to come true. After the death of his brother, Tsarevich Nicholas, Alexander was urgently trained foreign languages, geography and other sciences necessary for the future emperor.

Together with the crown from Nicholas, Alexander also receives a bride, the princess of Denmark, who was baptized with the name Maria. The young people were so shocked by the death of the Tsarevich, with whom they were on friendly terms, that the first-born was named Nicholas.

What did Alexander III receive by the beginning of his reign? Devastated and exhausted Russian-Turkish war country, rampant anti-government sentiment in all social groups. Recall that the father of Emperor Alexander II died at the hands of terrorists.

Zemstvo and judicial reforms

On March 1, 1881, Alexander 3 came to the throne. Domestic and foreign policy can be briefly characterized as follows: firmness and determination. Let's analyze the main aspects.

The first thing the new sovereign undertook was the suppression of any kind of free-thinking. He believed that it was it that was responsible for most of Russia's troubles. Do not forget that his father also became a victim of terror, born from excessive education. Alexander II was a guardian of education, in contrast, Alexander III takes a number of decisions.

In 1884, a decree was issued concerning the activities of universities (the emperor considered them to be the center of freethinking). The document abolished all kinds of meetings within educational institutions, forbade student courts; Access to higher education was closed to the lower classes.

As for local power, it was strengthened by the following measures: governors began to lead the zemstvos rigidly, the rights of officials were sharply curtailed. Officials were only from the upper strata, the peasantry was not allowed into power and did not participate in the elections.

There have also been changes in the judicial system. They are closely connected with the reforms in the zemstvos. The courts were now directly subordinate to the state, publicity in meetings was severely limited, the qualification was introduced for jurors.

The position of the peasants

Alexander III also touched the peasantry. Their position after the famous reform of 1861 was unenviable: lack of money to buy land, debts, inability to run their own business - all this forced ruined people to leave for the cities. Alexander III makes a number of decisions stabilizing the situation. So, the peasants are forgiven their debts, the tax rate for the redemption of land is reduced. A special Peasant Bank is also being created, where people could take out loans for farming (the interest was low).

In this way, Agriculture in the country begins to develop, there are centers specializing in a certain direction: industrial crops(Baltic states), cereals (Ukraine), animal husbandry (Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod and etc.)

Military reform

The domestic policy and foreign policy of Alexander 3 were aimed at strengthening the autocracy within the country. Much of this was facilitated by the military reform.

Do not forget that initially Alexander was prepared for a military career, he knew this business well and understood it. Although Russia did not wage wars during his reign, the army strengthened very well. All kinds of fortifications, mountain divisions, great importance given to both cavalry and infantry.

For the purpose of training on the basis of military gymnasiums, cadet corps. Not only young soldiers are being trained, but command personnel are also being trained. Promotion is by seniority only.

A special role is assigned to the military infrastructure. This is how special railway brigades arise, called upon to deliver employees to their places of deployment if necessary.

Another innovation is the armament of the army. The three-line rifle becomes the main weapon, the shape changes (it is now more convenient for soldiers).

National reforms

The domestic policy and foreign policy of Alexander 3 was also strengthened due to a tough national position. The idea that the Russian Empire is intended only for Russians sounded just from the lips of Alexander III. Many are based on this idea.

The emperor takes serious steps to strengthen Orthodox faith. The border regions of the country were especially weak in this matter. Active construction of Orthodox churches begins. At the state level, citizens of the non-Orthodox faith and non-Russian nationalities are being oppressed. Poles and Jews got the most. Works on Russification are being carried out in Ukraine and the Baltic states.

Financial system and industry

The domestic policy and foreign policy of Alexander 3 proceeded from the realities of which emperor received the country. She was in great economic decline. Accordingly, one of the main tasks that needed to be solved was to bring the country out of economic crisis. To this end, reforms in the financial and industrial field the best figures of the era are involved.

So, Bunge proposed to abolish the poll tax, instead it was proposed to pay excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, sugar or oil. In addition, the tax rate on property is increased, for example, on land, urban real estate. In order to reduce the budget deficit, customs duties are being raised.

As for the industry, it is growing at a fast pace. Metallurgy, textile and machine-building production are especially flourishing. Development underway the latest ways oil production. Thus, according to this indicator, Russia comes out on top.

We will briefly show what reforms Alexander 3 carried out. Foreign and domestic policy (table):

Domestic politics

As for foreign policy, it is not for nothing that this emperor is called a "peacemaker" - he in every possible way protected his country from military conflicts. He also attracted other countries to similar actions.

During his reign, the Russian Empire drew closer to Great Britain and France, but weakened its positions in the Balkans.

Confrontation with Germany in terms of customs relations exacerbated economic relations.

Thus, the domestic policy and foreign policy of Alexander 3 contributed to the economic, national and industrial rise of the country.

Alexander III Alexandrovich - Emperor of All Russia, Tsar of Poland and Grand Duke Finnish since March 1, 1881. - October 20, 1894 . Son of Emperor Alexander II and grandson of Nicholas I; father of the last Russian monarch Nicholas II. During the reign of Alexander III, Russia did not wage a single war. For maintaining peace, the monarch received the official title of Tsar-Peacemaker

Domestic policy of Alexander III

Alexander III ascended the throne under the conditions of a “terrorist war” declared by the Narodnaya Volya to the emperor, and the preparation of a constitution. On March 1, 1881, the Narodnaya Volya made the seventh attempt on the life of Alexander II, which ended in the mortal wound of the emperor, and Alexander III became the new emperor. On the morning of the same day, March 1, 1881, a few hours before the assassination attempt, Alexander II received the Minister of the Interior, M.T. Loris-Melikov, who presented the emperor with a draft constitution. The emperor approved the project and appointed a meeting of the Council of Ministers for March 4. The meeting took place only on March 8, but Alexander III did not accept the project "Thank God, this criminal and hasty step towards a constitution was not taken."

On April 29, according to the old style of 1881, the “Manifesto on the inviolability of autocracy” was published, compiled by K. P. Pobedonostsev and approved by Alexander III. This document proclaimed the emperor's refusal to further reforms. The emphasis was on "faith in the strength and truth of autocratic power"

The policy of counter-reforms

( The definition of the measures of the government of Emperor Alexander accepted in the historical literatureIII(1880s - early 1890s), aimed at revising the reforms of the 1860s and 1870s)

The counter-reforms were held under the slogan of M. Katkov: “The autocracy of the ruler requires a single thought."

Reasons for counter-reforms:

Terrorism of revolutionaries in relation to representatives of the authorities
The growth of liberal and revolutionary sentiments in society

Ideologists: K.P. Pobedonostsev - Chief Prosecutor of the Synod, D.A. Tolstoy - Minister of Public Education, M.N. Katkov - journalist, publicist, publisher of the Moskovskie Vedomosti newspaper

Main tasks:

Strengthening statehood :

1881 – Manifesto "On the inviolability of autocracy", written by K.P. Pobedonostsev - chief prosecutor of the Synod with the participation of M.N. Katkova

The resignation of the Minister of the Interior D.A. Milyutin, Minister of Finance A.A. Abaza. The collapse of the hopes of liberals to introduce a constitution

Restriction of zemstvo and city self-government:

1889 - introduction of the institute zemstvo district chiefs who exercised control over local self-government. Appointed by the Minister of the Interior.

1890 - new "Regulations on provincial and district zemstvo institutions": changes in the land electoral system(increase in the number of vowels from the landlords)

1892 - new "City position" : changes in the city electoral system (removal of small proprietors from the elections due to an increase in the property qualification); the resolution of the city duma was sanctioned by the provincial authorities

Strengthening the police regime and the elimination of certain provisions of the judicial reform of 1864

1881 - "Regulations on Conservation Measures state security and public peace”: a state of emergency could be declared in any part of the empire; local authorities received the right to arrest "suspicious persons", exile them without trial for up to 5 years, close educational institutions and press organs, and suspend the activities of zemstvos.

Changes in the judicial system:

1887 - increasing the property and educational qualifications for jurors, which increased the representation of the nobility

1887 – restriction of publicity and publicity of court sessions

1889 - exemption from jurisdiction of the jury cases of "resistance to the authorities"

1889 - liquidation of the world court

The introduction of additional restrictions in the field of printing and education:

1882 – “temporary rules” about printing:

- the right of the Minister of the Interior and the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod to close any opposition publication;

- closure of a number of publications ("Domestic Notes", "Delo", "Voice", "Zemstvo"

1884 – new university charter: abolishing the autonomy of universities (appointment of the rector and professors by the government, increase in tuition fees, a special inspection supervised students)

1886 – closing of women's courses (except for Bestuzhev)

1887 - a circular about "cook's children": it was ordered not to accept the children of coachmen, lackeys, cooks, laundresses, small shopkeepers in the gymnasium.

Mitigation of the acuteness of the agrarian-peasant question

1881 - decree on the transfer of all former landlord peasants to compulsory redemption (abolition of a dependent temporary position)

1881 - decree to reduce redemption payments

1882 – Establishment of the Peasant Land Bank: provision of loans by peasants and peasant communities for the purchase of privately owned land

1885 - abolition of the poll tax from the peasants.

1882 - 1887 . – cancellation of a dependent provision

Laws that made it difficult for peasants to leave the village for the city, family divisions of peasants (only with the consent of 2/3 of the members of the village assembly)

Regulation of relations between workers and industrialists

1882 – law on the prohibition of labor of minors (under 12 years); the establishment of a factory inspectorate to supervise its implementation

1885 - prohibition law night work minors and women

1886 – a law defining the terms of employment and the procedure for terminating contracts between workers and entrepreneurs

These laws laid the foundation for labor legislation in Russia

Domestic policy of Alexander III

The beginning of the reign of Alexander III fell on the period of the struggle of two parties: the liberal (desiring the reforms initiated by Alexander II) and the monarchist. Alexander III abolished the idea of the constitutionality of Russia and set a course for strengthening the autocracy.

On August 14, 1881, the government adopted a special law "Regulations on Measures to Protect State Order and Public Peace." To combat unrest and terror, states of emergency were introduced, punitive measures were used, and in 1882 the secret police appeared.

Alexander III believed that all the troubles in the country come from the freethinking of subjects and the excessive education of the lower class, which was caused by his father's reforms. Therefore, he began a policy of counter-reforms.

Universities were considered the main center of terror. The new university charter of 1884 sharply limited their autonomy, student associations and student courts were banned, access to education for representatives of the lower classes and Jews was limited, and strict censorship was introduced in the country.

Zemstvo reform of Alexander III:

The rights of the zemstvos were severely curtailed, and their work was taken under the strict control of the governors. Merchants and officials sat in the city dumas, and only wealthy local nobles sat in the zemstvos. Peasants lost the right to participate in elections.

Judicial reform of Alexander III

Judges became dependent on the authorities, the competence of the jury was reduced, the world courts were practically eliminated.

Peasant reform of Alexander III

The poll tax and communal land tenure were abolished, and compulsory redemption of land was introduced, but redemption payments were reduced. In 1882, the Peasants' Bank was established, designed to issue loans to peasants for the purchase of land and private property.

Military reform of Alexander III

The defense capability of border districts and fortresses was strengthened.

Alexander III knew the importance of army reserves, so infantry battalions were created, reserve regiments were formed. A cavalry division was created, capable of fighting both on horseback and on foot.

To conduct combat in mountainous areas, batteries of mountain artillery were created, mortar regiments, siege artillery battalions were formed. A special railway brigade was created to deliver troops and army reserves.

In 1892, mine river companies, serf telegraphs, aeronautic detachments, and military pigeon houses appeared.

Military gymnasiums were transformed into cadet corps, for the first time non-commissioned officer training battalions were created, which trained junior commanders.

A new three-line rifle was adopted, a smokeless type of gunpowder was invented. The military uniform has been changed to a more comfortable one. The order of appointment to command positions in the army was changed: only by seniority.

Social policy of Alexander III

"Russia for the Russians" is the emperor's favorite slogan. Only Orthodox Church considered truly Russian, all other religions were officially defined as "non-denominational confessions".

The policy of anti-Semitism was officially proclaimed, and the persecution of Jews began.

Foreign policy of Alexander III

The reign of Emperor Alexander III was the most peaceful. Only once did Russian troops clash with Afghan troops on the Kushka River. Alexander III protected his country from wars, and also helped to extinguish hostility between other countries, for which he received the nickname "Peacemaker".

Economic policy of Alexander III

Under Alexander III, cities, factories and plants grew, domestic and foreign trade grew, the length of railways increased, and the construction of the great Siberian Railway began. In order to develop new lands, peasant families were resettled in Siberia and Central Asia.

In the late 1980s, the state budget deficit was overcome, and revenues exceeded expenditures.

The results of the reign of Alexander III

Emperor Alexander III was called "the most Russian Tsar." He defended the Russian population with all his might, especially on the outskirts, which contributed to the strengthening of state unity.

As a result of the measures taken in Russia, a rapid industrial boom took place, the exchange rate of the Russian ruble grew and strengthened, and the well-being of the population improved.

Alexander III and his counter-reforms provided Russia with a peaceful and calm era without wars and internal unrest, but also engendered in the Russians a revolutionary spirit that would break out under his son Nicholas II.