Political authority in action: Russification; treatment of ethnic minorities and Jews
Russification was the Tsarist policy of forcing non-Russian peoples to adopt Russian language, culture, and religion. The Tsars used it to tighten control over their vast, multi-ethnic empire.
Real World
After 1881, Jewish communities in the Pale of Settlement faced state-sanctioned pogroms — violent mob attacks on homes and businesses — which drove over two million Jews to emigrate to Western Europe and America by 1914.
Exam Focus
For 'explain' questions on Russification, link the policy directly to autocracy: argue it was a tool of political control, not merely cultural prejudice, to access higher marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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