IB History - Russia - Alexander II

When did Alexander II become Tsar?

1855

When did the Treaty of Paris end the Crimean War?

1856

When was the emancipation of the Serfs?

1861

When was Alexander II assassinated?

March 1881

What were Alexander II’s political views?

He believed in autocracy

Describe Alexander II’s personality.

He was gentle, sensitive, charming, but also very sure of his own autocratic power.

Was Alexander II’s reign successful?

No. He left an empire that was politically economically and socially backward. 80% of Russians still could not read or write and peasants died regularly. His reign also saw the growth of revolutionary opposition and violence.

What was the debate about Alexander II’s reforms?

Whether he proceeded with the emancipation because he felt he had to for because he was genuinely committed. Whatever his determination was, he pursued it with determination.

Edwards Crankshaw’s quote on Alexander II’s thoughts on emancipation.

‘The Emancipation had to be, he knew, but he did not like it.’

How many Serfs were in Russia before the Emancipation?

There were 53 million serfs, making up 90% of the population.

Why did the modernisation demand the emancipation of the Serfs?

* There were 1.4 million serfs with no land
* They were subject to corporal punishment, sexual abuse, and exploitation.
* They lived in dreadful conditions.
* Some lived on the edge of starvation.

Arguments in favour of emancipation - the economic argument.

* Needed for Russia’s industrial development.
* Free labour would be more efficient than forced labour.
* The cost of maintaining serfdom was high
* Emancipation would stimulate economic growth by creating a larger pool of wage earners and consumers.

Arguments in favour of emancipation - the military argument.

The Crimean War showed that Russia’s forces were in desperate need of reorganisation. The new system would be unworkable while serfdom continued.

Arguments in favour of emancipation - the moral argument.

Bondage was morally wrong. Degraded serfs as well as the serf-owners who would become lazy and unable to contribute to the state.

Arguments in favour of emancipation - the practical argument.

The growth feeling of discontent among the peasants led to more than 300 peasant uprisings.

When was the secret committee of leading officials set up?

1857

What was the reaction of the Emancipation Edict?

People saw it as an anti-climax.

Stage 1 of the Emancipation Edict: freedom

Serfs got personal freedom which gave them the right to marry, own property, and have legal protection. However, they had to continue their labour service for another 2 years.

Stage 2 of the Emancipation Edict: temporary obligation

Required freed slaves to work for their former masters for a period of time. Duration of obligation varied based on age and gender. Freed slaves were to be paid for their work. Masters were required to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their former slaves. Failure could result in punishment.

Stage 3 of the Emancipation Edict: redemption operation

Peasants began to pay for their land allotments with redemption payments. This was divided up into 49 annual payments with 6% interest charge. Serfs had to stay in their mir until redemption payments were complete.

What were the results of the Emancipation Edict?

It abolished serfdom in Russia, freeing over 20 million serfs. The serfs were granted personal freedom and the right to own property. However, they were still required to pay redemption payments to the government for a period of time. The Emancipation Edict had significant economic and social consequences, including the redistribution of land and the growth of industry. It also led to increased political unrest and revolutionary activity in Russia.

When was the education reform?

1863

When was the Zemstva law passed?

1864

When were the judiciary reforms?

1864

When were the military reforms?

1874-75

Details of the legal reforms.

Defence counsel allowed. Judges better paid. New structure based on open trials in public. System of separate courts for separate classes ended. Fairer

Limitations of the legal reforms.

Only slowly introduced due to the shortage of lawyers. Some courts stayed outside the new system eg. Church. Judges were still influenced by the government. Government could only be tried under special rules.

Effects of the legal reforms.

Described as the most thorough and remarkable of all the reforms. Readily accepted with great success. JP courts were very popular. Weakened the government as it allowed critics to speak out. Brought more impartial justice. Gave Russia one of the most progressive legal systems in Russia.

Details of the local government reforms.

Nobles lost their legal control over the serfs. Zemstva set up - forms of elected rural local councils. 1870 - Dumas set up to provide municipal self-government. Dumas could raise taxes and levy labour to support their services.

Results of the local government reforms.

Ending the administrative monopoly of officialdom. The new local organisation could respond to local needs. It showed the importance of education and health which improved hygiene, literacy, mortality rates, and the environment. Offered valuable opportunity for the intelligentsia to serve in a professional capacity. Created a desire to extend Zemstva into national assembly.

Limitations of the local government reforms.

Only slowly introduced, and by 1914, only 43 out of 70 were affected. The voting system still favoured the nobles. The provincial governors had powers to reverse Zemstva. Taxes were an extra burden on peasants.

Details of the cultural and educational reforms

Class bias against poor students reduced. Primary and secondary education extended. The number of students grew from 3,600 to 10,000. Newspapers no longer censored prior to publication.

Effects of the cultural and educational reforms.

The number of students grew from 3,600 to 10,000. As there was an increase on people educated, more people were critical or tsarism. Russian newspapers were able to discuss international and domestic policies which led to an increase in opposition. Info and ideas circulated more freely.

Limitations of the cultural and educational reforms

Initial expectations of reforms not fulfilled. Student criticism grew, leading to greater restrictions, leading to more unrest. Stress on traditional subjects and tighter government control over schools. Liberal Education Minister Golovnin was replaced by Count Tolstoy in 1866.

Details of the military reforms.

Conscription extended to all. Service reduced from 25 to 6 years with 9 years in reserve. Military colonies and conscription as a punishment ended. Better officer training. New military code.

Limitations of the military reforms.

Officers still mainly aristocratic. Low educational standards of recruits limited effectiveness of training. Major reforms delayed until Prussia’s successes showed value of a modernised army

Effects of the military reforms.

Reduced financial burden on army. Smaller, better trained army. Helped spread literacy. No success against Turkish troops in 1877. Russia defeated by Japan in 1904-5.