Emancipation Edict Flashcards
facts of the reforms
When was the Emancipation Edict
1861
Aims of the Emancipation Edict
- defeat in the Crimean War had revealed the need for Russia to reform and especially from a military perspective.
- To modernise Russia, develop her economy and step towards a more western approach.
- To give Russian Serfs an incentive
- Fear of peasant unrest.
How many Serfs did the Emancipation Edict affect?
22 million.
Anderson’s quite on Emancipation Edict
“The single greatest liberating measure in the history of Europe”.
Westwood’s quote on the Emancipation Edict
“No Russian ruler brought so much relief to so many of his people as Alexander II did.”
Details of Redemption payments
They were burdened with redemption payments of 80% of their land over a period of 49 years.
Lands sold to the Serfs by the nobility was overvalued by as much as what?
134%
Why was the Serf’s allocation of the land not fair>
Not from the Black Soil province or Volga, pressure for land was acute and they were worse off after 1861.
What drop in landholding did the peasants see on average?
4%
What % drop in their landholding did peasants from the Steppe region receive?
23.3%
What % drop in their landholding did peasants in Ukraine receive?
30%.
What is the name of the village commune? what was their role?
The mir - determined who received land, what crops were grown and who could leave.
How far could a Serf travel before needing an internal passport?
20 miles.
How many cases of peasant unrest were there in 1862?
844
How many cases of peasant unrest were there in 1863?
509
Examples of losses experienced by the landowners as a result of the Emancipation Edict.
Many became poorer. Loss of Serfs, feudal dues and land, political and economic power declined in their localities, power and conscription declined, majority remained conservative, some moved to towns.
Landowner gains after the Emancipation Edict
Some increased the size of their estates.
Compensated for their loss of rights with increased power in the zemstvo.
Peasant losses after the Emancipation Edict
Overall loss of land. Increased debt due to redemption payments. Higher Taxes. Still subject to volosts. Mir took control of peasant lands. Land had to be divided amongst sons. Peasants discontent and riots continued.
Peasant gains after the Emancipation Edict.
Given freedom to control their lives. End to feudal dues. Some kulaks increased land holdings. No longer forced into the military service, mirs powers strengthened. More freedom to move.
