Society “Top” and “Bottom” in the Policy of N.M. Muravyov as Governor-General of Vilnius

Abstract

The article is devoted to the activities of M.N. Muravyov as Governor-General of Vilna (1863–1865). His policy was distinguished by integrity, correlation and interconnection of his main undertakings. He became the creator of a “harmonious political system” which was characterized by the desire to rely on the lower classes and apply repressive measures against the Polish elite. It should be noted that before his appointment in Vilna as Minister of State Property (1857–1862) N.M. Muravyov adhered to very different views and defended the rights of landowners, speaking as a staunch opponent of liberal bureaucrats. However, the uprising of 1863 prompted Muravyov to change his attitude to the “Polish question.” The elite of the Northwestern Territory was directly declared disloyal, and the “system” acted as means of punishing them. At that time, the policy of N.M. Muravyov was not always consistent. Besides, he met a rebuff from infl uential fi gures, such as the Tsar’s brother, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich. After “pacifi cation” was achieved in the region, Muravyov’s tenure in offi ce was considered undesirable. Muravyov's successor K.P. Kaufman, who tried to develop the “system” of his predecessor, was soon removed from offi ce. His successor E.T. Baranov strove to stick to the maneuvering policy, and A.L. Potapov and P.P. Albedinsky, who came after him, headed for concessions to the Polish elites. An attempt to the dismantling of the main elements of Muravyov’s policy was undertaken. Though it was not implemented in the full measure, the striving of Imperial authorities to maintain simultaneously two different political systems hampered the achievement of the goals which they formulated in the period of the Polish uprising suppression.