Russification

• Russification was the process whereby non-Russian regions were drawn more securely into the framework of the Empire/USSR

  This involved administrative integration & imposition of Russian language, education system, religion, and culture

  Began with the Polish Revolt of 1863 - was continued by Lenin, Stalin & Khrushchev (mainly through repression & constitutional change)
• Finland (Tsars) :

  • Pre-1894: liberal stance taken - a separate parliament & constitution existed by 1865
  • Nich II: Finland ‘encouraged’ to join the Empire but this caused opposition
  • 1905: Finland granted full autonomy (although Stolypin quickly went back on this)
• Finland (Communists):

  • Lasting independence achieved under Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
  • Nov 1939 - March 1940: Winter War was an unsuccessful Russian attempt to regain influence over Finland
  • Treaty of Mutual Friendship, Co-operation & Assistance (1948) - Finland maintained its status of neutrality
• The Baltic Provinces:

  • Their rise in nationalism was never strong enough for independence to be realised
  • 1936 Constitution: the states were incorporated into a new federal system of Russian gov
  • Suffered during WW2 due to accusations of Nazi collaboration (mass deportations to the gulags
  • Post-war, the region was more stable with only a few rebellions
• The Ukrainians:

  • Suffered similar treatment to the Poles under the tsars
  • Full independence achieved under Treaty of Brest-Litovsk - short-lived as they could not oppose the Red Army during the Civil War
  • “The Breadbasket of Europe” - focus of Stalin’s collectivisation as it was an important grain-producing are
  • Theoretically its position improved under the 1936 Constitution, but WW2 saw much accusation of German collaboration (those found guilty were executed or sent to the gulags)
• The Caucasians:

  • Divided along religious lines (Christians & Muslims) - this + illiteracy rates made Russification easy
  • Dashnaks & Georgian Mensheviks proved very antagonistic towards Nich II
  • Georgia gained independence in 1902 but was then ‘retaken’ by the Red Army in 1921
  • Stalin ruthlessly dealt with Georgian dissidents during his role as Commissar for Nationalities, although he later made concessions in the 1936 Constitution by making Georgia a full republic
• The Jews (Tsars):

  • Jews did not have a homeland in the Empire - before Alex II. the artificial “Pale of Settlement” was established
  • Alex II allowed them to migrate to other regions, but Alex III clamped down on this (1881-1914 was a time of repression for Russian Jews)
• The Jews (Communists):

  • The Communists were suspicious of the Jews - ‘special’ settlements set up in the 30s, but WW2 saw bans placed on aspects of Jewish culture (Jews were perceived as subversives)
  • Khrushchev continued this form - many prominent Jewish technical specialists were suppressed for anti-communist activity