Alexander II’s Military Reforms

Question 1

What did he begin his reign doing?

Answer 1

-releasing political prisoners + pardoning Decembrists who were involved in plot assassinate his father
-relaxed controls censorship, cancelled tax debts + restored some rights of Poland + Catholic Church

Question 2

What did the Tsar do to improve the military reforms 1874-75?

Answer 2

-created smaller, more professional + less expensive army
-conscription compulsory for all classes from age 21
-length service reduced from 25 to 15 years + 10 in reserves
-punishments less server + military colonies abandoned
-medical care established
-new command structure + army colleges set up for better training — mass army education campaigns

Question 3

What continued with the military despite reforms?

Answer 3

-officer class remained largely aristocratic
-problems with supplies + leadership continued
-Russia struggled win war against Turkey 1877-78
-lost to Japan 1904-05
-defeated by Germany 1914-17

Question 4

What happened in the war with turkey 1877-78

Answer 4

-an attempt recover losses of Crimean war
-sent too few troops initially
-march 1878 Rus concluded treaty of stefano with turkey - created large Bulgaria under Rus protection
-alarmed by this Br + A-H forced Rus sign treaty Berlin July which split new Bulgaria