Alexander II reforms

Question 1

main reforms of Alexander II

Answer 1

• relaxed censorship
• access to education
• decreased conscription years to 15
• peasants could vote - local government had more freedom

Question 2

causes of reforms

Answer 2

• improve military
• improve economy
• decrease peasant revolts
• save Russia from crimean war

Question 3

effects of polish rebellion

Answer 3

• Alexander doubted reforms
• brought in tighter controls
• public executives and exiles to Siberia

Question 4

opoosition work against autocracy

Answer 4

literature spread across Russia - criticising the autocracy
revolutionary groups
university discussions of liberal ideas

Question 5

personal factors during reforms

Answer 5

• son died 1865
• wife was ill - had an affair

Question 6

reactionary measures (1866)

Answer 6

• assassination pushed through conservatism ideas
• ministers replaced by conservatism’
• education monitored closely
• third section extended
• easy to punish political prisoners

Question 7

reasons Alexander may be conservative

Answer 7

• only listened to liberalists as they said it would preserve the autocracy and make a happier society
• only listened to conservatism’s to preserve power regardless of happiness