Alexander II, 'The Tsar Reformer' Flashcards
What year was the Emancipation of the serfs?
1861
What was the Party of St petersburg Progress?
a loose title given to the more liberal nobles and officials who frequented the salons of the Tsar’s aunt, or gathered around his brother.
Name both of the ‘Milyutin Brothers’
Nikolai Alexander Milyutin & Dmitry Alekeseyevich Milyutin
What were the motives of Nikolai Milyutin?
An influential voice in the Ministry of Internal affairs, favouring reforms within the Slavophile tradition. Advocated emancipation and the establishment of the Zemstva.
What were the motives of Dmitry milyutin?
Military background, motivated by Russia’s failure in the crimea war, Alexander II’s Minister of War 1861-1881.
What years was Dmitry Milyutin Minister of War?
1861-1881
Why did the Milyutin Brothers advocated emancipation?
It held Russia back economically, weakening her ‘Great Power status,’ and was also morally wrong.
Between 1840 and 1844, how many outbreaks of peasant uprisings were there a year?
fewer than 30.
Why did the number of peasant outbreaks more than double after 1844?
landowners pushed peasants to produce more or pay higher rents,
protests against military conscription
Why is Alexander II known as the ‘Reformer?’
He began his reign by releasing political prisoners & pardoning the Decembrists,
he relaxed censorship and restored some rights of Poland and the Catholic church.
What year did Emancipation negotiations begin?
1856
What years did Alexander II travel the country side?
1858-59
Why did Alexander II travel the country side in 1858-59?
in attempts to win noble support for emancipation.
What were ‘redemption payments?’
serfs were required to pay money in exchange for their freedom.
How long were redemption payments to be paid for?
49 years
What was the Mir?
the peasant commune
Who supervises the Mir?
The Volosts
From what year did the Volosts run their own courts?
1863
What was the effect of Volosts running their own courts?
this replaced the landlord jurisdiction over serfs.
How long did ‘temporary obligation’ go on for?
2 years
What was ‘temporary obligation?’
allocations of land
What percentage of peasants remained ‘temporarily obligated’ to their owners by 1881?
15%
Which class of peasantry did well out of emancipation?
the kulaks
How many incidents of riots were there in the four months after the Emancipation Edict?
647
What years were the Milyutin Reforms
1874-75
What changes did Milyutin make to military conscription?
Conscription was made compulsory for all classes from the age of 21, but the length of service was reduced from 25 to 15 years of service + 10 years in the reserves.
What changes did Milyutin make to military punishment?
punishments were less severe & the system of military colonies was abandoned.
Better medical care was established.
What changes did Milyutin make to weaponry?
Modern weaponry was introduced and new command structure was established.
What changes did Milyutin make to military education?
Military colleges were set up to provide better training
Mass army-education campaigns in the 1870s-90s.
What year was the war against Turkey?
1877-78
What year was the Treaty of San Stefano?
1878
What was the effect of the Treaty of Stefano?
large Bulgaria under Russia’s protection
What year was the Treaty of Berlin?
1878
What motivated the Treaty of Berlin?
Britain and Austria-Hungary were alarmed by Russian gains.
What was the effect of the Treaty of Berlin?
it split up the new Bulgaria.
What years were the Local Government Reforms?
1864-70
What was the name of the system of elected local councils?
the Zemstva
When was the Zemstva established?
around 1864, post emancipation.
What were electoral colleges?
the system in which people vote for others to then vote nominees for the Zemstva.
What powers did the Zemstva have?
to improve public services, develop industrial projects and administer relief in times of hardship.
What years were the Judiciary reforms?
1864
What was the new Judiciary system modelled on?
The West
What was introduced in the new Judiciary reforms?
local courts open to the public, cases heard before juries (judges appointed by tsar) Local Justices of Peace
Who elected the Local Justices of Peace?
The Tsar
What Russian newspaper recorded national trials?
the Russian Courier
What years were the educational reforms?
1863-64
Who carried out the educational reforms?
Alexander Golovnin
What years was Alexander Golovnin Minister for Education?
1862-67
What changes were made to education?
Universities could govern themselves and appoint their own staff,
responsibility for schooling was transferred from the Orthodox church to the Zemstva.
Primary & Secondary education was extended,
Schools were open to all regardless of class/gender.
What years were the censorship reforms?
1858-70
What changes did Alexander II make to censorship?
restrictions on publishers were further reduced, foreign publications were permitted with government approval, and the press was allowed to print editorials with comment on gov. policy.
