Attitudes of leaders to political change

Question 1

Attitudes of leaders to political change

Answer 1

All tsars showed a desire to maintain autocracy. Some had democratic elements: Zemtsva, Duma 1905 but both were limited (43/70 provinces had zemstva by 1900, Fundamental Laws 1906).

PG was more geared towards political change. Tried to set up a constituent assembly and freed political prisoners

Question 2

Extent of political change

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Answer 2

Structure of government stayed largely the same under Tsars. Zemstva and Duma had little impact, were just to appease the people after the failure of the wars. Title of ‘liberator’ for Alexander II is misleading

PG’s principles that guided the creation of a constituent assembly led to its downfall. Releasing political prisoners allowed opposition groups such as the Bolsheviks to gain momentum.