Which of the following tables accurately distinguishes the short-term causes and long-term causes of Russification policies?

Short-Term Causes
Long-Term Causes
Russia’s conflict with different territories
The loss in the Crimean War
The assassination of Alexander II
Develop of centralized Russian identity
Gain State control
Gain a political and economic advantage

Short-Term Causes
Long-Term Causes
Develop a centralized Russian identity
Gain state control
The assassination of Alexander II
Russia’s conflict with different territories
The loss in the Crimean War
Gain a political and economic advantage

Short-Term Causes
Long-Term Causes
Gain a political and economic advantage
Gain state control
Develop a centralized Russian identity
Russia’s conflict with different territories
The loss in the Crimean War
The assassination of Alexander II

Short-Term Causes
Long-Term Causes
Russia’s conflict with different territories
The loss in the Crimean War
Gain a political and economic advantage
Develop a centralized Russian identity
The assassination of Alexander II
Gain state control

1 answer

To accurately distinguish between the short-term and long-term causes of Russification policies, we need to consider the nature and temporal context of each cause.

Short-Term Causes: These are typically immediate events or pressures that prompted a swift policy response.
Long-Term Causes: These are broader socio-political trends or ideologies that develop over time and create a foundation for a policy decision.

Let's evaluate the provided causes:

  1. Russia’s conflict with different territories - This can be seen as a long-term cause as it reflects ongoing tensions.
  2. The loss in the Crimean War - This was an immediate event (short-term) that highlighted the weaknesses in the Russian Empire and led to a push for reforms, including Russification.
  3. The assassination of Alexander II - This event led to immediate changes in policy and could be considered a short-term trigger for an intensified Russification effort.
  4. Development of centralized Russian identity - This aligns with a long-term ideological trend aiming for unity and uniformity within the empire.
  5. Gain State control - This is generally a long-term objective of Russification policies used to maintain authority over vast territories.
  6. Gain a political and economic advantage - This could be seen as both a short-term and long-term motive; however, it often relates to the immediate aftermath of conflicts or problems.

Considering these distinctions, the most accurate classification is:

  • Short-Term Causes: The loss in the Crimean War, The assassination of Alexander II
  • Long-Term Causes: Development of centralized Russian identity, Gain state control, Russia’s conflict with different territories, Gain a political and economic advantage

Based on this reasoning, the first option you provided is the closest match to a proper classification, but it could also use some tweaks.

Given the nature of the question, the most fitting table seems to be:

Correct Table Format: Short-Term Causes:

  • The loss in the Crimean War
  • The assassination of Alexander II

Long-Term Causes:

  • Development of a centralized Russian identity
  • Gain state control
  • Russia’s conflict with different territories
  • Gain a political and economic advantage

Unfortunately, none of the provided tables accurately captures this classification as is. Each table mixes the categories in a way that does not strictly adhere to the short-term/long-term distinction based on the explanations given.