Final answer:
Russian imperial methods of political control were both successful and oppressive, maintaining the tsar's power while also leading to persecution and resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Russian imperial methods of political control can be assessed as both successful and oppressive. The harsh methods implemented by the tsar's government, such as an increased presence of the secret police, strict censorship, and exile of critics, were successful in suppressing dissent and maintaining control over the empire. However, these methods also led to persecution and suppression of non-Russian cultures as part of Russification, which caused tension and resistance from rebel groups.
The goal of the rebel groups was to resist the oppressive rule of the tsar and to preserve their own cultures and identities. They hoped to achieve autonomy and cultural freedom. The assassination of Alexander II impacted this goal by triggering a response from his successor, Alexander III, who reinstated the harsh methods of political control and intensified Russification, further suppressing the rebel groups.
In summary, while Russian imperial methods of political control were successful in maintaining the tsar's power and suppressing dissent, they also led to the persecution and suppression of non-Russian cultures, causing resistance and tension within the empire.