To What Extent Was the Tsarist System of Government Modified in the Years 1881-1914?

The reign of Alexander III (1881-1894) showed the Tsarist system of government with little modification. Alexander III was a conservative who believed in autocratic power of the Tsar. He openly stated his belief in the "power and right of autocratic government". During his reign, Tsarist tyranny reached its high-water mark. The autocratic policy and reforms brought about much discontent in the country with no modernisation what so ever, his main focus on maintaining autocratic rule. His policy and reforms included the strict supervision of the universities, the suppression of liberal newspapers, religious and racial persecution, and the repression of revolutionaries meaning that little change could take place. In spite of Witte becoming finance minister towards the end of his reign the industrial revolution in Russia far from modernised it. The workers suffered appallingly with poor working conditions, therefore it made them very discontented, and were easily converted to socialism. The growth of extremist middle class and the discontented peasants which became more and more inclined to the preaching of the intellectuals for rebellion. With his repressive policies and actions, and lack of modernisation he ultimately paved his own way to the grave of his own regime

Reign of Alexander III 1881-1894 “Nationalism,Orthodoxy and Autocracy”
Political policies
• had watched his father die in a St Petersburg Palace.
• As a result of the assassination would not consider granting a parliament.
• tightened censorship of the press and sent thousands of revolutionaries to Siberia.
• "full faith in the justice and strength of the autocracy" that he had been entrusted with.
• Any liberal proposals in government were quickly dismissed.
• Judges and officials who were sympathetic to Liberal ideas were removed from office.
• His political ideal was a nation containing only one nationality, one language, one religion and one form
Repression
• A policy of Russification was introduced.
• imposing the Russian language and Russian schools on the Germans, the Poles and the Finns and all other minority nationalities.
SCHOOLING
• Schools were also forced to raise their fees to prevent the poorer classes gaining an education.
• In 1897 the illiteracy rate was 79%
• Universities lost most of the freedoms gained under Alexander II and censorship was tightened considerable
RELIGION
• He strengthened the security police, reorganizing it into an agency known as the Okhrana.
• He encouraged the Orthodox Church at the expense of other religions especially the Catholic Church
• It was an offence to convert from the Orthodox Church to another faith. Divorce could only be granted through a church court
• The Orthodox Church was given control of primary schools.
• persecuted the Jews. Many blamed them for the assassination of Alexander II
• Over six hundred anti-Jewish measures were introduced.
• the number who could attend university was limited.
• forbidden to trade on Christian holy days.