Alexander II

1855 - Alexander becomes Tsar

1856 - Treaty of Paris ends the Crimean war and Alexander warns that serfdom must be abolished from ‘above’

1857 - Secret committee of ministers is set up to begin the process of freeing the serfs

1858 - Ministers have to submit their reports to special commissions of the state council, who would feedback on them before presentation to the tsar.

1861 - Secret committee becomes public as the Main Committee after serfs are freed. A commission is set up to look in to legal reform.

1863 - Polish Revolt Occurs. More schools are opened and secondary schools are allowed to admit women. Universities are given greater freedom.

1865 - Censorship is relaxed

1866 - Assassination attempt is made by Karakozov. The Zemstva’s right to tax is reduced.

1867 - Restrictions are imposed on the Zemstva’s right to publish their proceedings without the permission of administrative officials.

1870 - Municipal reforms occur with the introduction of the duma

1872 - University open to women. Press law allows the transference of offences committed by the press from the jurisdiction of the courts to the council of ministers

1873 - censorship laws are tightened

1874 - military service is reformed. Reduced to 6 years active and 9 in the reserve.

1875 - Universal conscription for all classes over 21 are introduced.

1877 - Regulation on the conduct of troops during public disorders is reduced

1877-78 - Russo-Turkish war is fought

1878 - Due to the Vera Zasulich case, cases involving crimes to authority were removed from normal criminal courts.

1879 - Appoints regional military dictators with the power to use any measure necessary to maintain the peace in educational institutions. Security law bans the sale of firearms. Police are armed with guns

1880- Zemstva are invited to submit proposals for reform of local administration.

1881 - signed the loris-melikov proposals. Is assassinated