Alexander II reforms and assassination Flashcards
What was Russian autocracy like in 1855 Russia?
Empire divided between govt, and Tsar’s subjects (rich+poor etc)
Power lay in hands of rich
Tsar + church hierarchy wanted obedience + had authority to secure it
Political strengths
Power concentrated to Tsar
Westernisation spreading, exposing autocracy which was good for ppl but bad for tsar
What was a dual-capital country?
Where power was spread over a large area e.g Russia
Political weaknesses
Absolute monarchy prevents reform + encourages censorship
No legal restriction to tsar’s power
Bureaucracy known for being ineffective, slow and corrupt
No freedom of speech
Social strengths
Easier to rule + stay in control as serfs were stupid and easily influenced
Had worlds largest army of 1.5 million
Taught to show devotion to tsar and ppl didn’t rebel
What percentage of the population were serfs?
90%
Social weaknesses
Lots of censorship
Weak army, forced to serve 25 years
Lack of education, close minded and relied on religion
Less than half the population were Russian in 1855 so hard to control different cultures
Economic strengths
Vast empire with lots of raw materials, Europe’s main exporter of agricultural produce
Economic weaknesses
Considered backwards, hadn’t industrialised as dependent on serfs
lack of education meant lack of good jobs so no development
Size and climate of Russia slowed development
When was the Crimean War?
1853-1856
Why was Russia defeated in the Crimean War?
R only committed 1/4 of army + used old weapons
Anglo-French weapons more modern
Nick’s conservatism was self-defeating`
How did the Crimean War end?
Ended with signing of Treaty of Paris forcing Alexander II to remove all troops from Black Sea
When did Nicholas I die?
2nd March 1855
Why was emancipation seen as necessary?
Was essential if they wanted to see social and economic development or would fall further behind
Humiliation of Crimea showed army needed improving and could only happen with free population
What did Alexander say about serfism?
‘It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to wait for the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below’
What were the uprisings and outbreaks like between 1840+1844?
More than 30 outbreaks of disorder per year and doubled over next 15 years due to landowners pushing serfs to produce more/ pay higher rates or conscription
How did Alexander begin his reforms?
By releasing political prisoners, pardoning Decemberists, relaxed censorship, cancelled tax debts + restored some rights to catholic church
When was the emancipation of the serfs?
19th February 1861
What were some of the positive terms of the emancipation?
Kuluk class (prosperous land owners) were able to buy extra land so produced surplus grain Some land owners used compensations offered to get themselves out of debt Over next 20 years 85% former serfs became legal landowners