Alexander The Tsar Reformer Flashcards
How many serfs did the Tsar Alexander II liberate? What year?
In 1861 he liberated 51 million serfs
What is the alternative view of viewing the Tsar as the Tsar liberator?
A piece of ‘state directed’ manipulation of society that aimed to strengthen social and political stability rather than a product of liberal thinking from an enlightened Tsar who is only concerned for the welfare of his subjects. Intended to maintain tsarist authority.
What is a negative result to the reforms that took place?
Weakened faith in the Tsar as being capable of leading effective change and ultimately created a desire for popular participation in the government.
What are motives for Alexander II’s reform?
Views on serfdom shaped by Valisy Zhukovsky- romantic poet tutor
Alexander’s own travels around the empire
Political circle of progressive nobles known as the ‘Party of St Petersburg progress’-came into prominence at his court
Brother -Duke Konstantinos
Grand duchess Elena Pavlovna
Milyutin brothers-Nikolais Alexander Milyutin-influential voice in the Ministry of of Internal Affairs- favouring reform within the slavophile tradition
1859-1861 responsible for drafting the emancipation edict, supported the establishment of the zest a
Dmitry Milyutin-trained in a military academy and earned a reputation as a military scholar- analysed the reasons in Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War Alexander II minister of war from1861-1881.
Shared views of the Russian intellegentsia that Serfdom economically weakened Russias ‘great power status’ and was morally wrong
May not have been fully convinced -conservative tendencie- increase in peasant uprisings since the 1840s added weight-serf disorder no real threat just another reason
What are some facts about peasant uprisings?
Between 1840 and 1844 there had been less that 30 outbreaks of disorder per year on privately owned states ,however, this doubled over the next 15 years
Landowners pushing peasants to produce high rents to maintain incomes
Protested against military conscription to the Crimean War- disturbances did not end when the war ended in 1856
Alexander’s delay to announce freedom of serfs conscripted increased tensions
What was the Dmitry Milyutin’s opinion on military reform?
Reform is needed to strengthen the state and restore dignity
He believed that the army had to be modernised and that only a free population would provide the labour needed for much needed military improvement.
These opinions came as a result to the humiliations and inefficiencies of the Crimean War.
What are Alexander II view to reform?
Determined to maintain the tsarist autocracy and uphold his ‘God-given’ duties but he felt the pressure to reform.
-began his reign by releasing prisoners and pardoning the decembrists- people who tried to assassinate his father.
Relaxed controls on censorship, lessened restrictions on foreign travel and university entrance, cancelled tax debts and restored some f the rights of Poland and Catholic Church.
In March 1856, followed up this ‘enlightened’ start by asking a small group of nobles to produce emancipation measure.
