Alexander II Flashcards
Who was Alexander’s tutor?
Zhukovsky- showed him the west and could see how backwards Russia was in comparison.
When was the Crimean war? What did it show about the Tsarist regime?
1853-1856
It showed the lack of industry on 60,000 troops able to get there. Trade was disrupted due to not being able to use the Black Sea, peasant uprising escalated and the regime was humiliated.
When was his judiciary reforms? What effect did they have? (Positive and negative)
1864
Innocent until proven, judges appointed by the tsar, courts open to the public. This made the system less corrupt, better training for judges sense of fairness.
However, let intelligentsia criticise the Tsar and become celebrities. No trained lawyers.
What effect did the local government reforms have?
Zemstva established who had the power to improve public services and administer relief. It retained local authority.
Voting was done so nobility would dominate. It’s power was limited, had no control over state and local taxes. Provincial governors could overturn zemstva decisions if they wanted.
What effect did the military reforms have?
Conscription for all classes, 15 years in active service and 10 years in reserves, punishments less severe, new weaponry, military colleges set up, literacy in army improved.
Still lost key battles, Russo Turkish, Russo Japanese and Germany in WW1.
What were the effects of the education reforms?
Universities had to govern themselves, the responsibility transferred from the church to the zemstva, primary and secondary education extended.
However, this led to an increase in radical thinkers.
When was the censorship reforms? What effect did it have?
1858
Less restrictions on publishers, press could comment on government policy. Increase in books but changed in 1870 due to critical writing.
What reforms was passed in 1861?
Emancipation
Granted serfs freedom, allotment of land, serfs had to pay redemption payments for 49 years. 2 year period of temporary obligation before freedom was granted.
Land allotments were unfair so much that in 1878 half of peasants could make a surplus and with redemption payments made rural life hard.
What happened in 1866?
Assassination attempt on Alexander made him swing to the right.
