Alexander II (quiz #1) Flashcards
From what years did Alexander II serve as Tsar of Russia?
1855-1881
How old was Alexander II when he became Tsar?
36 years old
What did Nicholas I say to Alexander II while on his deathbed?
“Hold onto everything!”
What was Alexander II commited to retaining?
The autocratic powers of Tsar
What was seen as a need for Russia
modernization
When was the Crimean war?
1854-1856
Who did Russia lose to in the Crimean war?
France, Britain, Ottoman Empire, Sardinia
What did Tim Chapman say was the single most important law/decree issued by the Tsar in the 19th century?
The emancipation of the serfs by Alexander II
Why was Alexander II not popular among either sides of the political spectrum?
He had inconsistencies, wanted to keep Tsar autocracy while modernize Russia
When was Alexander II assassinated?
1881
Who was Alexander II assassinated by?
terrorists of The People’s Will group
What were the four reasons for defeat in Crimean war?
Communications, industry, administration, military
Why was the institution of serfdom criticized?
moral objections, economic objections, military objections
What was the abolition of serfdom needed to do?
Modernize
What was the result of the institution of serfdom from 1844-1854?
There were 350 revolts by peasants
What did people of Russia believe about Alexander II
He could reform Russia
What was Alexander II’s argument over why serfs should be emancipated?
He claimed it was better to abolish serfdom from above than for serfdom to abolish itself from below
What years were the emancipation of the serfs?
1855-1861
Why were the nobals/owners of serfs hostile towards their emancipation?
Social, financial status depended on how many serfs they owned
What did nobals/slavophiles fear would happen after the emancipation?
Chaos would erupt, collapse of the stability of the Russian social system
What were the two centural issues surrounding the emancipation of the serfs?
Land and control
What were some of the freedoms serfs were allowed after the emancipation?
Own land, marry, use law courts, have businesses
What were redemption dues?
Money serfs had to pay back to government as they were “given” land that they worked on
What were redemption dues used to do?
Compensate landlords
How long and at what interest percent were redemption dues paid?
49 years at 6% interest
What was the mir?
Responsible for collecting payments for government
What differences did state owned serfs have in the emancipation?
They had a 5-year transition period rather than 2, and they were given larger land plots
What did household/domestic serfs recieve
Nothing other than their freedom
What was the response to the emancipation?
Both praise and ciricism but most were disatisfied
Why were the peasants mad after the emancipation?
That they had to pay for land, they thought it was rightfully theirs
Why were the nobals mad after the emancipation?
They lost social importance, felt betrayed by Tsar
In what terms was the emancipation a huge success?
Legal rights and liberties
How many Russians were liberated?
40 million
In 1865, what happened in the USA that the emancipation is compared to, even considered a bigger success?
The abolishion of slavery
What did 85% of serfs become within 20 years of the emancipation?
Landowners
What were reduced over the next 40 years after the emancipation?
Peasant disturbances
Why was the immediate impact of emancipation lessened?
Because it was implemented at the local level
Who was the process itself carried out more favourably to?
Landowners
Why did many peasants end up with less than before the emancipation?
Land settlements were too small, prices were inflated
What could the mir continue to restrict peasants from doing?
Traveling, splitting up land
What did emancipation fail to solve?
Industrial backwardness
