Alexander II - Domestic policies and reforms Flashcards
Why did serfdom prevent Russia from developing?
it stopped the development of new technologies and introduction of new machinery into Russia’s industry
When was the emancipation of the serfs?
1861
Which serfs did it affect?
privately owned serfs
What did the emancipation give the serfs?
freedom to marry who they want, own property and start their own business
What was the concept of redemption payments that the serfs had to pay?
they had to pay taxes for 49 years to the government with a 6% interest rate
When were state slaves freed?
1866
What were 2 bad impacts of the emancipation of the serfs?
peasants now had to pay off redemption payments
there was now a land shortage
What was a catalyst for Russia’s army to reform?
Crimean war
What reforms did Alexander II make to the army?
recruitment was suspended and any man under 20 was liable to conscription
What was the length of service in the army lowered too?
6 years
When was the Zemstva created?
1864
What responsibilities did the Zemstva have?
public health, prisons, roads, agriculture and areas of education
When were dumas introduced into towns and cities?
1870
Who was in charge of the control of police?
Minister of the Interior
What reforms in terms of judges did Alexander II make?
introduced into criminal cases and well paid so that they were not tempted with bribery
When did censorship become the responsibility of the Minister of the Interior?
1863
What did new regulations regarding education allow private schools to do?
use of common curriculum with reading and writing in Russian only
When was the 1st non-vocational school for girls opened?
1870
What reforms were scholars given under Alexander II?
allowed to study abroad and broadened what they studied
When did Alexander II rule from?
1855-81
What was the ‘new work discipline’ under Alexander II brought in by factories?
strict rules that required for workers to work safely and efficiently with machines
Who was Mikhail Reutern and when was he appointed?
Minister of Finance in 1862
What was Mikhail Reutern’s policy?
believed in continuation of railway construction and employment of foreign investment capital
Who were the Nobel brothers?
responsible for the growth of modern oil industry in Caucausus areas
What was a major reason under Alexander II that meant that industrialisation could happen?
The expansion of the railways
How did Reutern secure investment for Russia?
issuing government bonds and taxation exemptions
Why was construction of railways put into the hands of private companies?
it was a very expensive transport system and the Russian government was corrupt
When was the Crimean war?
1853-86
Why was the zemstva created?
How was it run?
to provide social and economic services and significant liberal influence to Russia
each assembly appointed executive board and hired professionals to carry out functions
Define an assembly?
deliberative council legislative or juridical in power
Define legislative?
having the power to make laws
Three examples of improvements the Zemstva did?
expanded schools, provided health care and constructed roads
Why was there a need for educational reforms under Alexander II? (3)
more skilled roles in government and judicial roles
emancipation of the serfs left serfs wanting to be educated
industrial revolution meant that skilled workers were needed
When and what was the Education Edict?
Did it work? what did it show?
1864 - provided primary education for all children
although implemented, not all children got education
showed bad political government with fragmented policies and reforms
When was there a growth in universities?
1860’s
When was the relaxation of censorship and what did this mean?
1865 - meant that books were controlled after being published and not before therefore more westernised ideas and policies were being introduced
When and who were the intelligenstia?
under alexander II they were a group of clever people who criticised autocracy
