Alexander II's domestic reforms Flashcards
What caused Alexander’s need to reform?
Russia’s weak position in Europe at the beginning of 1855
Why would reforms benefit Alexander economically?
Russia needed to catch up with the west
Workforce was needed for industrialisation
Why would reforms benefit Alexander politically?
Nicholas I supressed opposition instead of appeasing them
Alexander feared revolution
What did Alexander say about reform?
“it’s better to reform from above than below”
When did Alexander Emancipate the serfs?
1861
what were two limitations of the emancipation act?
Temporary obligation of 2-9 years
redemption payments of 49 years
What was a zemstva
essentially local councils which the serfs used
What did the serfs gain from the emancipation act?
Legal rights such as travel and marriage
Cottage and allotment for each serf
What were some losses from the emancipation act?
Landlords could change rent prices during temporary period
6% interest rate on the redemption payments of 49 years
What were issues outlined by the Crimean war surrounding the army?
soldiers lacked good training and were not to the western standards of Britain and France
The army was poorly supplied due to how the economy was structured
How did Alexander reform the army?
conscription Lenght lowered from 9 years to 6
Militaray reserves went from 210,000-553,000
How did Alexander improve education?
Poor were exempt from university fees
by 1894 3 million men could read and write in the army
How did Alexander reform Russia’s legality?
Judges were paid more to deter bribery
Juries in criminal cases
police could arrest on suspicion alone
When was the Zemstva introduced
1864
How did Alexander reform local government?
Zemstva were responsible for maintaining local areas
Zemstva had representatives chosen by electoral colleges
