Alexander II

Background (Alexander II)

Crimea - 1853-1855

Russia signed peace terms in Paris in March 1856

Peasant revolts so reform needed

Alexander II became Tsar in March 1855

Emancipation of the Serfs

1861

Serfdom restricted industry growth through restricted enterprise and flow of labour

Prevented modernisation of agriculture

Crimean defeat - army reform

Revolts

Secret Committee on Peasant Affairs

To work out the process of abolishing serfdom

Opposition from nobility and church

Emancipation Edict announced in February 1861

Emancipation Edict

1861

Serf could own land, travel, marry

Keep cottage and allotment

Landowners compensated by state for land

Redemption Tax for 49 years with interest at 6%

Emancipation Edict Disadvantages

Landowners kept best land for themselves

Often redemption taxes were higher than value of land

Local Government Reforms (Alexander II)

Zemstva (local assemblies) - Put into effect in 1864

Managed services and development.

Members elected from different social classes

Nobility dominated

No national assembly to preserve autocracy

Legal Reforms (Alexander II)

November 1864

Before, guilt was presumed

Jury trials, public hearings, equality before the law,

defence lawyers, and better-trained judges with pay

Educational Reforms (Alexander II)

1863 - private schools were allowed

1864 zemstva took over schooling from Church

From 1870 girls could receive equal education.

Enrolment rose at all levels.

Military Reforms (Alexander II)

Reduced conscription from 25 to 6 years (plus 9 in reserve),

Service mandatory for all classes from age 20 (including nobility)

Abolished military colonies

Military service no longer court punishment.

Reform Results (Alexander II)

Wanted to modernise but preserve autocracy

Conservatives opposed, liberals wanted more

Lack of national political reform = opposition

Intelligentsia

Reforms = more uni students = more educated people

Became lawyers or involved in zemstvo

Read radical publications in 1860s

Populists / Narodniks

Influenced by socialist literature in 1860s

Young members of intelligentsia

Went to countryside to educate peasants about their conditions

1000+ populists arrested due to info from peasants

Group escaped arrest named ‘Land and Liberty’

Land and Liberty

1879 - split into two

Black Partition:

Peaceful through education and links with student groups, failed and destroyed by arrests in 1980

People’s Will:

Violent, wanted democratic institutions (national assembly, constitution) and land ownership reforms

Alexander’s death

Assassinated by People’s Will

No change to political system

Size of opposition was too small and lacking in popular support

Tsarist system and supporters were too strong and established