Chapter 2- Alexander II The 'Tsar Reformer' Flashcards
When did Alexander II emancipate the serfs?
1861
What other reforms did the Tsar introduce?
Reforms involving: Military Education Judiciary Local government Censorship Other
Which figures influenced the Tsar to introduce reforms?
Zhukovsky (his tutor)
‘Party of St Petersburg Progress’ (political group of more liberal nobles)
Grand Duke Konstatin (brother)
Grand Duchess Elena (aunt)
Milyutin brothers, Nikolai and Dmitri (and other enlightened bureaucrats)
Who were the Milyutin brothers?
Members of the intelligentsia who thought that serfdom was morally and economically damaging
What were the achievements of Nikolai Miyutin?
Planned terms of the Emancipation Edict
Supported introduction of the zemstva
Why was Dmitry Milyutin a significant figure?
He was a ‘military scholar’ and was Minister of War 1861-81
Made a count in recognition of his work
What other reasons meant that Alexander himself was keen to reform?
He traveled around the empire which showed him the backwardness of Russia and poverty people faced
Peasant uprisings increased as peasants had to pay/produce more as their landowners were not financially stable.
Protests against conscription to the army
Defeat in the Crimean War emphasised need for change
What did Alexander II famously write to nobility in Moscow 1856?
“It is far better that this should come from above, rather than from below”
How did he Tsar get support from nobility to emancipate?
He went around the empire making speeches
Which serfs were released in 1861?
Privately owned serfs
When were state serfs freed?
1866
How did emancipation benefit serfs?
Morally (they had rights)
Received their own allotment of land
Had the opportunity to grow economically
Working class could develop
Could sell their allotment of land and find employment in cities
Increased living standards
How did landowners benefit from emancipation?
They received compensation so could pay off debts
Invested in industry and could make profits
How did emancipation benefit kulaks?
They could produce surplus grain for export
Could buy extra land
How was the emancipation disadvantageous for the land owners?
Loss of influence in society
Some no les had to sell their own land
Bankruptcies
Who was primarily responsible for military reforms?
Dmitry Milyutin
Name military reforms
Smaller, more efficient army All classes conscripted over age of 21 Only conscripted for 15 years rather than 25 Less severe punishments Abolished military colonies Modernised weaponry to an extent Military colleges trained peasant soldiers Mass army education campaigns 70s-90s Improved medical care
How was there continuity in the military?
Most officers remained aristocratic
Russia was defeated by Turkey, had to sign the Treaty of Berlin in July 1878, and by Japan and then Germany
How did local government change?
Zemstva set up
They could control public services, industrial projects and establish poor relief
Dumas set up
Local government gave intelligentsia hope
How were these local government reforms limited?
Nobility could still dominate because voting methods were corrupt
Intellectuals used meetings to discuss politics and oppose central gvt
Arguably their significance was poor, they did not control tax
Provincial governors could overturn zemstvo decisions
In what areas did peasants have more authority?
Rural
How was the judiciary system changed?
Property rights and local justice improved
System based on western countries- defendant innocent u til proven guilty
Established jury and lawyers to represent suspects
Local, provincial and national courts
Volost courts for peasants
Judges’ training and payment improved
Local ‘Justices of the Peace’ elected (separate from police)
Press increased on court cases / published
Open courts for the public
How was the new judiciary system limited?
Lawyers of the intelligentsia criticised the regime /caused unrest
Juries were too sympathetic and acquitted guilty defendants at times
Juries were selected from land owners
Peasantry received different treatment in volost courts
Military / ecclesiastical (church) courts not included in reforms
Trail by jury not introduced in some regions
Tsar chose judges so still dominated
What education reforms were introduced?
Universities could choose their own staff
Russian Orthodox Church’s control decreased
Extended schooling in primary and secondary schools
‘Modern schools’ set up at secondary level for those who didn’t want traditional schooling at gimnaziya schools
Students of any class or gender could receive an education
(From 1870 women could go to secondary school for non vocational education)
