Depth studies info for A.II Flashcards
Describe the significance of the Decembrist Revolt of 1825 in relation to Alexander II’s reign.
The Decembrist Revolt of 1825 highlighted the growing demands for reform in Russia and demonstrated that autocracy could not ignore these demands indefinitely, setting the stage for Alexander II’s later reforms.
Explain the impact of the Crimean War on Alexander II’s perception of Russia’s state.
The defeat in the Crimean War made Alexander II aware that Russia was falling behind its European counterparts, prompting him to consider significant reforms, including the abolition of serfdom.
Define the role of General Dimitry Milutin in Alexander II’s reform efforts.
General Dimitry Milutin advised Alexander II that reforming the army was impossible while serfdom existed, emphasizing the economic inefficiencies of serfdom and its hindrance to a modern capitalist economy.
How did Alexander II justify the abolition of serfdom to the nobility?
Alexander II had to conjure up the threat of widespread peasant revolt to persuade the nobility of the necessity to abolish serfdom.
Explain the main provisions of the Emancipation Edict of 1861.
The Emancipation Edict of 1861 freed serfs from feudal obligations, allotted them land for their needs, and provided compensation to landlords, but also imposed redemption payments on peasants.
Describe the economic consequences faced by peasants after the Emancipation Edict.
Peasants faced significant economic challenges, including loss of agricultural holdings, high redemption payments, and diminished purchasing power, which hindered their economic stability.
How did the land allocation under the Emancipation Edict affect peasant holdings?
Peasants lost an average of 4.1% of their pre-1861 agricultural holdings, with some Ukrainian peasants experiencing losses as high as 30.6%, leading to insufficient land for sustainable farming.
Discuss the limitations placed on peasants after their emancipation.
After emancipation, peasants were still controlled by local obshchina, required internal passports for travel beyond 20 miles, and faced economic constraints due to redemption payments.
What was the state of agricultural productivity in Russia compared to Britain and Holland post-emancipation?
Post-emancipation, Russia produced only six hectolitres per acre of cereals, significantly lower than the 14 hectolitres produced in Britain and Holland, indicating outdated agricultural techniques.
Analyze the long-term effects of the Emancipation Edict on Russian society.
The Emancipation Edict led to unrest and riots among peasants due to inadequate land, high debts, and continued economic control, ultimately failing to create a prosperous and independent peasantry.
Describe the purpose of the committee of jurists set up in late 1861.
The committee was established to investigate general principles of legal reform following the abolition of feudalism, identifying 25 defects in the legal system and proposing radical changes such as the separation of judicial and administrative functions and trial by jury in criminal cases.
Explain the challenges faced in the implementation of judicial reforms after the abolition of feudalism.
There was a shortage of trained lawyers, and bureaucratic interference often prevented the universal application of law, with notable exceptions like the lack of trial by jury in Poland, western provinces, or the Caucasus.
Define the role of zemstva in local government after the reforms.
Zemstva were established as district and provincial assemblies to provide local governance, but were limited by the reactionary bureaucracy, which appointed presidents rather than allowing elections and restricted their ability to levy taxes.
How did the nobility influence the zemstva system?
The nobility dominated the zemstva, which allowed them to operate within a limited scope while still making improvements in local services despite the restrictions imposed by the central government.
Explain the impact of the zemstva on education after 1864.
After 1864, the zemstva became crucial in providing public services, particularly in education, administering local primary schools and significantly increasing the number of schools from 8,000 in 1856 to over 23,000 by 1880.
Describe the changes in secondary education during the first decade of the reign.
The curriculum for secondary education was modernized, leading to a doubling of the number of students to 800,000 during the first decade of the reign.
What reforms were approved in 1863 regarding universities?
In 1863, new statutes were approved that allowed universities to exercise administrative autonomy, relaxed preliminary censorship, and substituted judicial procedures for administrative repression.
Discuss the significance of the existence of peasant courts in the legal system.
Peasant courts, while negating the principle of equality, were noted for having less corruption and a greater sense of fairness compared to the formal judicial system.
How did the number of primary schools change from 1856 to 1880?
The number of primary schools increased from 8,000 in 1856 to over 23,000 by 1880, indicating a significant expansion in educational access.
What were some proposed changes to court procedures as identified by the committee of jurists?
Proposed changes included the separation of judicial and administrative functions and the introduction of trial by jury in criminal cases, along with the simplification of court procedures.
Describe the reforms introduced by Milutin as Minister for War.
Milutin introduced a series of radical reforms aimed at improving efficiency and fairness in the military, including the abolition of corporal punishment, a reduction in the length of service from 25 to 15 years, and the end of using the military as a penal institution.
Explain the impact of the military reforms on social classes in Russia.
The military reforms extended military liability to all social classes, which faced opposition from the nobility who could no longer purchase exemptions from military service.
How did the reforms affect the structure of the Russian military?
The reforms decentralized command to regional staff, emphasized military engineering, and involved re-equipping the army with modern weapons.
Define the economic policies introduced by Reutern as Minister of Finance.
Reutern created a unified Treasury and centralized departmental accounts to improve government audits, introduced a public budget in 1862, and established a system of government excise in 1863.
Discuss the challenges faced by the Russian economy after the emancipation reform.
The emancipation failed to stimulate the economy on a large scale, with one-third of annual expenditure consumed by debt and a failure to achieve successful stabilization of currency.
What role did railway construction play in the Russian economy?
Railway construction was key in linking grain-producing areas with towns, cities, and Russian ports, which contributed to the promotion of exports.
Explain the consequences of the Polish Revolt of 1863.
The Polish Revolt of 1863 was countered with repression, and Poland was granted limited autonomy in 1862, which failed to create popular support for the regime.
Describe the effects of assassination attempts on Alexander II.
The assassination attempts on Alexander II resulted in restricted access to university education.
How did the military reforms aim to improve soldier quality?
The military reforms aimed to ensure that modern soldiers had at least a basic education, promoting initiative and intelligence.
What was the significance of the Congress of Berlin for Russia after the R-T War?
After the R-T War, Russia recovered its international position at the Congress of Berlin.
What were the main factors leading to the Polish rebellion of 1863?
The Polish rebellion of 1863 resulted from a complex interplay of factors including access to land, proposed policies by Polish leaders Michael Gorchakov and Aleksander Wielopolski, and the role of the Catholic Church in Polish society.
How did Alexander II attempt to compromise with the Polish government?
Alexander II tried to compromise by allowing the Polish government to frame its own land-reform programme.
What was the reaction of Polish extremists to Alexander II’s proposals?
Extremists in Poland opposed Alexander II’s proposals, including those related to conscription, leading to the eruption of rebellion.
How did the allegiance of peasants affect the Polish rebellion?
Peasants were divided in their allegiance during the Polish rebellion; some supported the insurgents while others backed the Russians.
What were the consequences of the Polish rebellion after it was suppressed?
After the rebellion was ruthlessly suppressed in 1864, the tsar imposed reforms that benefited the majority of peasants to the detriment of the nobility.
What does the Polish rebellion signify in terms of Russification?
The Polish rebellion is seen as the start of the Russification process, indicating Alexander II’s concern for maintaining order across the empire.
What actions were taken regarding separatism after 1864?
After 1864, an official commission was set up in 1876 to investigate separatist activity in Ukraine.
How did Alexander II approach the Baltic Germans during his reign?
Alexander II continued his father’s liberal policy towards the Baltic Germans, despite rising nationalism from the middle-class intelligentsia.
What was the significance of the newspaper Sakala in Estonia?
The newspaper Sakala campaigned for social and economic equality among Estonians while supporting the tsarist regime, reflecting the complexity of regional stability challenges.
What measures did Alexander II take to improve the situation of Jewish people?
Alexander II allowed certain categories of Jewish people, such as merchants and doctors, to live outside the Pale of Settlement.
What was a notable aspect of Russian expansion during Alexander II’s rule?
During Alexander II’s rule, there was significant Russian expansion into Central Asia.
