Alexander II’s Reforms In Lcoal Gov’t

Question 1

Who were the zemstva?

Answer 1

-replaced obligations of former serf owning gentry
-a system of elected local councils at district + provincial levels
-chosen through systems of electoral colleges with separate colleges for each class
-electoral college — classes elect members EC + EC then vote for nominee, nobles had more weight than peasants as dominated zemstva
-zemstva given power improve public services, develop industrial projects + administer poor relief in times of hardship

Question 2

What were the benefits of the zemstva?

Answer 2

-established a degree of representative gov’t at local level which raised hopes of intelligentsia who wanted National Assembly
-valuable addition to local gov’t as composed of men who understood locality + its needs
-attracted doctors, lawyers + scientists who used meeting as opportunity to debate political issues + criticise central gov’t

Question 3

What were the limitations of the zemstva?

Answer 3

-power strictly limited + no control over state + local taxes
-provincial governors could overturn zemstvo decisions + took responsibility for law + order
-never truly people’s assemblies despite some peasant representation