Alexander 2nd Domestic Reforms Flashcards
What years were the military reforms?
1874-75
Who was responsible for the military reforms?
Dmitry Milyutin
What were the military reforms of conscription?
Compulsory across all classes from 21.
Active service reduced from 25 to 15 years.
10 years in the reserves
What were the military reforms?
Less severe punishments + abolishment of military colonies.
Better provisioning and medical care.
Modern weaponry introduced and a better command structure.
Military colleges established and literacy improved.
What were the issues and failures following the military reforms?
Issues of supply and leadership continued - struggled against Turkey 1877-78 and lost Russo-Japanese war and First World War.
When were the local government reforms?
1864-70
What was the main aspect of the local government reforms?
A system of elected local councils established called zemstva.
How were the zemstva members chosen?
Through electoral college voting systems - dominated by nobles.
What could the zemstva do?
Improve public services and develop industrial partnerships.
What did the intelligentsia think of the zemstva?
They thought that it was a stepping stone to a National Assembly.
What were the limitations of the zemstva?
No control over state and local taxes.
What was the role of the provincial governor during this time?
Appoint officials, enforce law and order, and overturn zemstvo decisions.
What was a failing of the zemstva?
They were never truly ‘people’s assemblies’ and used by intelligentsia to debate and criticise the regime.
When were the censorship reforms?
1858-1870
What were the lifted restrictions initially?
Restrictions on publishers reduced.
Foreign publications permitted with government approval.
There was a short-lived growth in publications.
How many books were published in 1894?
10,691.
Why was there a re-tightening of censorship?
There was a significant growth in critical writing.
When were the judiciary reforms?
1864
What was the judicial system like pre-reform?
No jury, lawyers or witnesses. The accused was considered guilty until proven innocent. The judge held all the power. The new system was based on the West.
What was the reform concerning the accused?
They were considered innocent until proven guilty.
What was added to the proceedings?
Barristers and juries. The judges were appointed by the Tsar, and had increased training and pay.
How often were the Local Justices Of the Peace elected?
From the zemstva members every 3 years.
What was the access to courts like?
Courts were open to public and freely recorded.
What did the newly established lawyers do?
They used their platform to criticise the regime and became celebrities in their own right.
What was the issue with juries?
They sometimes acquitted the guilty because they sympathised with their plight and the judge couldn’t overturn their decision.
Which courts were excluded from this?
Political, Military and Ecclesiastical.
When were the education reforms?
1863-64.
Who governed the education reforms?
Alexei Golovnin.
What were the reforms concerning universities?
They could self-govern and appoint their own staff.
Who became responsible for schooling?
The Zemstva, when Golovnin took power away from the church.
What was the alternative schooling that was set up?
A ‘secondary modern’ which was more vocational, and offered a non-traditional path compared to the gimnazii. Students from both could graduate to university.
Who could attend schools?
‘Open to all’ regardless of sex or class.
What was an issue of increased educational provision?
Increased numbers of radical and militant thinkers meant that in 1866 they had to reassert government control.
What did primary school access increase from in 1856 to in 1880?
8000 in 1856 to 23,000 in 1880. This improved basic literacy and numeracy rates.
