What is counter-reform and how did it happen in Russia

The second son of Alexander II took the throne after the death of his elder brother. He was not prepared for reign, despite this, his rule in Russia was marked by many events that had rather contradictory consequences. Alexander III brought to nothing the liberal and democratic achievements of the country. It was with him that Russia learned what counter-reform was and sensed the consequences of conservative rule.

Formation of the convictions of the king

Political views of Alexander III were formed under the strong influence of his guardian and mentor KP Pobedonostsev. This odious politician opposed the introduction in the Russian mentality of Western European social values. He considered the local self-government bodies to be unnecessary, their orders were "talkative," which should be disposed of. The people, in the understanding of Pobedonostsev, should be leading the sovereign father. The need to preserve the autocracy on the territory of the Russian Empire was considered by the sovereign to be the only correct policy, and any deviation from the course, in his opinion, could destroy the state and plunge the country into chaos.

Perhaps the future monarch would not doubt the correctness of Pobedonostsev's instructions, but the assassination of his father, Alexander II, pushed the autocratic ruler to unambiguous conclusions. Alexander III decided that liberalization of the Russian people is impossible, and social reforms are dangerous and lead to anarchy.

The political course of Alexander III

The main theses of the policy of Alexander III were as follows:

• Strengthening the autocracy, strengthening control over the observance of class orders, expanding the privileges of noble classes.
• The removal from power of liberal statesmen.
• The political structure of Russia began to acquire the features of a police power. Counter-reforms of Alexander III led to the emergence of the Guard Office. The tsarist secret police monitored the political moods of the subjects, controlled, and if necessary - and suppressed unsavory activities without trial.

• Active Russification of national suburbs and newly annexed territories. This measure was to destroy any attempts by countries to restore their independence and national identity. The ideas of creating national literature, culture, and art were thwarted - national figures recognized what counter-reform was and what its consequences were.

The reforms and counter-reforms of Alexander III did not prevent him from pursuing a rather balanced external political line. In history, he called himself a Peacemaker, because he preferred a peaceful solution of problems to direct military intervention. With this tsar, Russia did not conduct military operations and did not join military alliances.

Period of counter-reforms

Resistance to the introduction of European values in the Russian Empire led to the creation of a number of political decisions that coordinate the course of the tsar. 1880-1900 years are called historians period of counter-reforms in the state. At this time, many liberal undertakings and transformations are being abolished. Russia learned what counter-reform is, and the principles of Nicholas I began to revive.

What is counter-reform and how were they conducted?

Judicial counter-reform gave the bureaucrats great powers in choosing jurors. The governor was given the right to challenge any juror without explaining the reasons. Also, a significant restriction of the property and educational qualification for the assessors was introduced.

Counter-reforms of Alexander III also touched local self-government. Peasants significantly reduced the number of their representatives in local government, and for hereditary nobility, on the contrary, the quota increased. Additional circulars prepared the transformation of the election system, which resulted in a decrease in the number of persons admitted to voting.

Restrictions in the field of education and the press have painfully affected those liberals who have not yet realized what a counter-reform is. By setting a goal, not to allow the strengthening of liberal sentiment in society, decisive measures were taken to tighten control over young people and students. Women's courses are closed, universities are deprived of their rights and freedoms, tuition fees are increased, and top management of universities is appointed from above. In addition, according to the circular "On the cook children", persons of the lower classes were deprived of the right to receive higher education.

The main counter-reforms, the table of which is given below, clearly describe all the main points of the tsar's activity on the way to autocratic police administration.

Counter-reforms of Alexander III. Results

The consequence of the internal policy of Alexander Peacemaker was the relative stabilization of the domestic political life of the country. But the desire for freedom and democracy has not died out - it literally exploded in the expanses of Russia, when the son of Alexander III, Nicholas II, came to power.