The Crimean War 1853-56

Crimean War

1853-56: Conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Turks, supported by Britain and France, leading to the Siege of Sevastopol and the Treaty of Paris (1856) where Russia gave up key land in Bessarabia.

Emancipation of the serfs

The 1861 reform in Russia that freed the serfs, allowing some to move to industry, modernizing the military, and introducing social reforms.

Modernisation of the military

Changes in the recruitment, training, and organization of the army following the Emancipation of the serfs in Russia.

Zemstva

Local councils in Russia that brought a sense of democracy by electing members based on property qualifications and addressing regional issues.

Strengths of Zemstva

• Members were elected by a mixture of landowners, urban dwellers and peasant based on a property qualification.

• The Zemstva could feed regional issues back to central government and, to an extent, challenge the policies of the Tsar.

Weaknesses of the Zemstva

• The councils tended to be dominated by the nobility and professional classes.

• The Zemstva were located only in areas considered to be part of Great Russia → not in the Baltics, Poland, or the Caucasus.

• For various reasons, not all of the provinces eligable for representation were covered by Zemstva - by 1917 there were still 37 provinces without one.