Alexander II: emancipation and domestic reforms Flashcards
what was the context of when alexander ii came to power?
1855 was a period of crisis for russia, they were economically backwards and heavily reliant on a serf-based economy which left little room for any internal market demand. whilst vast and large, russia failed to use its resources effectively, it also had no middle class, just serfs and the upper class landowning elite. these inefficiencies were highlighted in the humiliating defeat of the crimean war due to an outdated military
what encouraged alexander to emancipate the serfs?
the crimean war showed the inefficiencies of serfdom and it was believed that freed serfs would help the economy to develop, he may also have been influenced by the party of st petersburg progress who were a group of radical thinkers that were in his close circle supporting emancipation.
what was the emancipation edict (1861) ?
the emancipation was a landmark reform aimed to address the inefficiencies of serfdom which had stifled economic growth and social progress. the decree granted freedom to approx 23 million serfs, which granted them freedom and an allotment of land whereas landowners were given compensation. around 15 per cent remained obligated until 1881.
why was the emancipation limited?
freed serfs were required to pay redemption payments to the government over 49 years (av. life exp 30) and had to remain in the mir so debt was passed down to children prohibiting social mobility. additionally, there was two years of temporary obligation. Moreover, the land they were granted was often small and poor quality
‘the only differences are that the quantity of ploughland has been reduced, the cultivation carried on less well and the meadows are not kept in good condition’ - Engelgardt
what was the result of emancipation?
some peasants did well - kulaks who could buy extra land and produce surplus grain however many peasants felt cheated. the land allocation was small and rarely fair as they provided little opportunity to adopt new methods of farming and were divided between sons. Additionally, the mir system was outdated and farming was not capable of producing a surplus. Rural life was difficult and the prosperity of kulaks led to further outbreaks with there being 647 riots in four months following the emancipation, however it did lead to further reforms
What were the military reforms of 1874-75?
Dmitry Mulyutin aimed to create a smaller more efficient army.
- conscription made compulsory for all classes and it was reduced from 25 years to 15 years
- punishments were made less severe and better medical care was established
- modern weaponry was introduced and a new command structure established
- literacy improved and military colleges
eval: however, the army struggled to win the war against turkey and were defeated by the Japanese in 1904
what were the local government reforms 1864 - 70?
the zemstva were established and chosen through a system of electoral colleges, however the nobility were allowed to dominate the voting system. the zemstva could improve public services, develop industrial projects and establish poor relief in times of hardship. however, their power was strictly limited, they had no control over taxes and provincial governers could overturn zemstvo decisions if they chose, they also attracted middle class who would debate political issues. Despite this the zemstva provided a valuable addition to the local govt.
what were the judiciary reforms of 1864?
the new system, modeled by the west used equality before the law, innocent until proven guilty, heard before a jury, courts opened to the public. while the new system was fairer and less corrupt, trial by jury was not established in poland, the western provinces and the caucasus. in volost courts, peasants were still treated differently to nobility
what were his education reforms 1863 - 4?
abolition of serfdom increased the need for basic literacy:
- unis could govern themselves and appoint their own staff
- responsibility transferred to zemstva
- primary and secondary extended, modern schools introduced for an alternative to traditional schooling
- schools were declared open to all regardless of class, gender.
- primary school number rose from 8000 to 23,000
- however, education still aimed at strengthening religious notions and it was so ‘successful’ that it was deemed necessary to reassert government control due to radical thinkers rising
what happened to censorship under alexander ii?
it was initially relaxed but a growth of critical writing brought a re-tightening of government control
why did alexander ii become reactionary?
after an attempted assassination attempt in 1866, a more repressive policy was adopted as he felt he had gone too far weakening the monarchy
counter reform to education:
Tolstoy felt that tight restrictions were needed to eradicate western liberal ideas. church regained authority over the rural schools and schools had to follow a traditional classical curriculum and abandon social sciences, only students from a gimnaziya could progress to universities, modern schools could not. More liberal courses replaced - literature, languages, history forced out, maths, latin, divinty were encouraged.
Police, law and control counter reforms:
Shuvalov encouraged third section and stepped up persecution of ethnic minorities, searches and arrests increased, could exile political offenders. held open show trials with the intention of deferring others
When was Alexander II assassinated?
13th March 1881 by the Peoples will, went to check on an injured guard and was bombed
what was the significance of Alexander IIs reign?
his reforms marked a turning point in Russian history, while they failed to resolved Russias deep-rooted issues, they laid the groundwork for future changes and highlighted the growing tensions for modernisation; his legacy remains as one of both progress and unfullfilled potential as Russia continued to balance reform:repression.
what did mikhail von reutern do as minister of finance? (aii reign)
produced a series of reforms designed to boost the economy and provide further funds to drive industrial growth - 1862 - 78:
- treasury was reformed, publishing budgets, taxes etc
- tax-farming was abolished and the tax system was reformed to include more indirect taxation
- banks extended
- trade was promoted with the reduction of import duties
- foreign investment was encouraged
- new legislation to regulate joint-stock companies encouraged
- government support was offered for the development of the cotton industry
von retuerns reforms forced former tax farmers to look elsewhere to invest, while opportunities provided encouraged enterprise. the use of foreign technical expertise and capital also encouraged expansion and the railway expanded. overall, there was an annual average growth rate of 6%. although textiles remained the dominant industry there was also new developments. oil extraction improved.
however, russias economy remained - 1/3 went on paying debts, rouble unreliable, emancipation edict left 66% of revenue coming from indirect taxation. kept peasantry poor and domestic market small.
