Alexander II Mini Quiz Cards Flashcards
What was the state of Russia
in 1855?
Russia was a vast empire containing over 100 different ethnic groups. The empire was an autocracy with a tsar at its head. The economy was predominantly rural and most of the population were peasants.
Why did Russia need reform?
There had been increasing numbers of peasant uprisings in Russia since the 1840s but it was the Crimean War which pushed Russia towards reform. It revealed military and administrative inadequacies in Russia.
How did the Emancipation effect Russia?
The emancipation allowed some peasants to take advantage of their freedoms by leaving to find work or become more prosperous by buying land. For most little changed and the emancipation was disappointing
How successful were
Alexander II’s attempts at domestic reform?
Alexander also brought in reforms in education, local government, the judiciary, the military and censorship.
Although liberal, the reforms did not affect the dominant position of the nobles in Russian society. The reforms facilitated the growth of a professional group in society and encouraged demands for more change
How did Alexander Il’s rule change after 1866?
Following an attempt on his life, Alexander adopted a more repressive approach. Education was more carefully monitored and faced greater restrictions. The powers of the police were increased
How far did the economy change under Alexander II?
Minister of finance, von Reutern produced a series of reforms to boost the economy and drive industrial growth. Little attention was given to agriculture and productivity remained low.
How far did society and culture change 1855-81
A small class of wealthier peasants developed, some nobles sought new sources of income and there were more professionals, yet, overall the society changed little. The Russian Orthodox Church remained strong.
Why did opposition develop and how effective was it?
Key individuals developed ideas opposing autocracy and Alexander’s reforms allowed their radical ideas to spread. Much of the opposition however was moderate and led by Liberals. There was little success.
How were Jews and ethnic minorities treated under
Alexander II?
Alexander used a mixture of repression and concessions to maintain Russian control over the states of the Empire. There was no systematic racial persecution, but intolerance of national differences increased towards the end of his reign. There was an increase in antisemitism following the Polish Revolt.
