Timeline of Imperial Russia

1853-1856

Crimean War - Exposed weaknesses in Russian military, prompting reform.

1857

Secret emancipation committee formed, Start of Alexander II’s serf reform plans.

1858

Alexander II publicly promotes emancipation, Begins tours and speeches.

Feb 19, 1861

Emancipation Edict announced, 23 million serfs granted personal freedom.

1862

Legal reforms begin, Drafting of new code and investigation into church corruption.

1863

Military reform intensifies, Led by Dmitriy Milyutin, includes training and conscription changes.

1863-1864

Education reform, More academic freedom, schools open to broader classes.

1864

Legal reforms enacted, Courts made public, juries introduced, and judges trained.

1866

Assassination attempt on Alexander II, Marks shift to conservative “Period of Reaction.”

1869

Church reforms begin - Priests promoted on merit, though reforms were limited.

1871-1873

Educational reaction, Curriculum narrowed, censorship reintroduced.

1874

Conscription Act passed, Modernized military service and reduced term length.

1877-1878

Russo-Turkish War, Russia victorious but reveals continued military flaws.

1878

Military courts introduced for political crimes , Ends public trials in many cases.

1879

People’s Will splits from Land and Liberty, Begins era of violent opposition.

1880

Count Melikov appointed, Proposes moderate reforms; few enacted.

March 13, 1881

Alexander II assassinated, Killed by People’s Will; reign ends in tragedy.

August 1881

Statute on Political Order, Police gain sweeping powers; lasts until 1917.

1882

May Laws issued, Restrict Jewish rights; censorship expanded under Tolstoy.

1883

Orthodox clergy join government, Censorship of books by priests intensifies.

1884

University autonomy removed, Government controls curriculum and faculty.

1885

Ministry of Justice can override judges, Starts rollback of legal independence.

1887

Education restrictions tighten, School fees raised; poor excluded; literacy at 21%.

1889

Land captains and judicial centralization, Nobles enforce rural justice and order.

1890

Zemstva lose judicial authority, Nobles gain more influence in local governance.

1892

Voting rights limited, Only wealthier property owners can vote; Finnish Senate reformed.

1894

Death of Alexander III, Ends an era of strict autocracy and Russification.