ALEXANDER III AND COUNTER REFORMS A III and

ALEXANDER III AND COUNTER REFORMS A III and his minister Pobedonostsev (1881 -95)

Counter-reforms 1) Defeat of proposals for constitutional reform, 1881 * Effects: -reforming ministers resigned, indicated that A III had no intention of completing the parliamentary reform 2) Statute Concerning Measures for the protection of State Security, 1881, formation of Okhrana • effects: revolutionary groups were weakened for a decade , activists forced into exile • 3) The office of Volost ( justice of peace) was abolished, 1889 • Effects: their duties were transferred in the towns from the countryside ( more power to the upper classes

• 4) The Zemstva Act, 1890; changed the way in which membership was elected, peasant representation was reduced and made indirect • Effects: more trained experts employed by the zemstva and cities, wanted to bring improvements to the people. • 5) Municipal Government Act restricted, 1892 • Effects: more power to the rich people • 6) University Statute , 1884; The state control over the universities, Higher courses for women to be gradually closed, university fees, the church was given more control over primary education • * effects: increase in the powers of the government and the church, inspectors to eliminate the reformist movement

• 7) Minister of Justice was given increased disciplinary powers over the judiciary • * effects: increased government interference in the law courts, trial by jury undermined. Most of the legal reforms of A II were reversed. • 8) Dissenters were not allowed to build new centers' of worship, all attempts to convert a member of the Orthodox Church were to be punished by ab exile to Siberia, 1883 • Effects: paving the way for Russification

A III´s REFORMS • 1) A Law to end ” temporary obligation” , 1881 • Effects: redemption payments were reduced, allotments were made compulsory • 2) Peasants´ Land Bank was established, 1883 • 3) Nobles´ Land Bank, 1885 • → to boom the industry and economy as a whole • 4) Abolition of poll-tax 1883 -6

• 5) Most Dissenters were allowed to have passports. . • 6) Gains by the workers • - child labor was regulated, 1882 • - laws to provide for compulsory education, 1882 -90 • - reduction in hours worked by women at night - factory inspectors appointed to enforce legislation and to supervise laborers' living and working conditions