Emancipation Edict

Question 1

When was the Emancipation Edict

Answer 1

1861

Question 2

Aims of the Emancipation Edict

Answer 2

1. defeat in the Crimean War had revealed the need for Russia to reform and especially from a military perspective.
2. To modernise Russia, develop her economy and step towards a more western approach.
3. To give Russian Serfs an incentive
4. Fear of peasant unrest.

Question 3

How many Serfs did the Emancipation Edict affect?

Answer 3

22 million.

Question 4

Anderson’s quite on Emancipation Edict

Answer 4

“The single greatest liberating measure in the history of Europe”.

Question 5

Westwood’s quote on the Emancipation Edict

Answer 5

“No Russian ruler brought so much relief to so many of his people as Alexander II did.”

Question 6

Details of Redemption payments

Answer 6

They were burdened with redemption payments of 80% of their land over a period of 49 years.

Question 7

Lands sold to the Serfs by the nobility was overvalued by as much as what?

Answer 7

134%

Question 8

Why was the Serf’s allocation of the land not fair>

Answer 8

Not from the Black Soil province or Volga, pressure for land was acute and they were worse off after 1861.

Question 9

What drop in landholding did the peasants see on average?

Answer 9

4%

Question 10

What % drop in their landholding did peasants from the Steppe region receive?

Answer 10

23.3%

Question 11

What % drop in their landholding did peasants in Ukraine receive?

Answer 11

30%.

Question 12

What is the name of the village commune? what was their role?

Answer 12

The mir - determined who received land, what crops were grown and who could leave.

Question 13

How far could a Serf travel before needing an internal passport?

Answer 13

20 miles.

Question 14

How many cases of peasant unrest were there in 1862?

Answer 14

844

Question 15

How many cases of peasant unrest were there in 1863?

Answer 15

509

Question 16

Examples of losses experienced by the landowners as a result of the Emancipation Edict.

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Landowner gains after the Emancipation Edict

Answer 17

Some increased the size of their estates.

Compensated for their loss of rights with increased power in the zemstvo.

Question 18

Peasant losses after the Emancipation Edict

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Peasant gains after the Emancipation Edict.

Answer 19

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.