To accurately distinguish between short-term and long-term causes of Russification policies, we can evaluate the causes listed in each category.
Short-Term Causes
- The loss in the Crimean War: This immediate failure highlighted weaknesses in the Russian Empire, prompting a need for reform and control over its diverse territories.
- The assassination of Alexander II: This event triggered a reaction from the state to consolidate control and suppress dissent, leading to more aggressive Russification efforts.
- Russia’s conflict with different territories: Conflicts typically prompt quick responses from authorities, including the implementation of policies aimed at unifying and suppressing national identities.
Long-Term Causes
- Develop a centralized Russian identity: This is a foundational goal that drives Russification as a policy over time.
- Gain state control: This is a broader, strategic aim that develops over decades as the Russian Empire sought to maintain power over diverse ethnic groups.
- Gain a political and economic advantage: This aligns with long-term imperial strategy, ensuring stability and control over resources.
Given this analysis, the table that best reflects these distinctions is:
Short-Term Causes | Long-Term Causes -----------------------|------------------------ The loss in the Crimean War | Develop a centralized Russian identity The assassination of Alexander II | Gain state control Russia’s conflict with different territories | Gain a political and economic advantage
This means that the most accurate arrangement from your options will typically involve the assassination of Alexander II and the loss in the Crimean War as short-term responses to period pressures, while longer-term goals reflect strategic state policies. However, specific options may need to be carefully reviewed against the detailed causes as listed above.