Alexander II Motives For Reform

Question 1

Who shaped Alexander II’s motives for reform?

Answer 1

-his tutor Zhukovsky
-travels around the empire
-political circle of progressive nobles - party of St Petersburg progress
-his brother Grand Duke Konstantin, his aunt Duchess Pavlovna + other enlightened bureaucrats

Question 2

Who were the milyutin brothers + how did they shape Alexander’s motives?

Answer 2

-Nikolai — in ministry for internal affairs + favoured reform within slavophile tradition + in 1859-61 was largely responsible for drafting terms of Edict
-Dimitry — reputation as a military scholar + analysed reasons for defeat in Crimea + minister of war 1861-81 + also made a count for services in military reform
-they believed serfdom morally wrong + held back Russia economically + weakened her a great power status - this view shared by other intelligentsia

Question 3

What pressures did Alexander II receive throughout Russia to reform?

Answer 3

-he felt pressure for reform at start of reign
-he was conservative + not liberal at heart but increase in peasant uprisings since 1840’s alarmed him
-although serf disruption not real threat to autocracy it did add weight to to need for emancipation
-humiliation + inefficiencies after war main catalyst for reform

Question 4

What was the cause of the increase in peasant uprisings?

Answer 4

-outbreaks more than doubled from 1840s to 1860s
-due to landowners pushing peasants produce more + pay higher rents
-due to protests against conscription for crimea
-due to Tsar’s delay announcing freedom of conscripted serfs