HL - Alexanader II

Question 1

How was Russia in the 1950s? (4 categories)

Answer 1

1. Tsardom
2. Military
3. Economy
4. Social

Question 2

1950s Russia Tsardom

Answer 2

1. “Autocracy, Orthodoxy and Nationality”
2. Held back by social structure (serf-based economy)
3. Feudal social hierarchy
4. Crimean War –> reluctant army + peasants unrest

Question 3

1950s Russia Economic

Answer 3

1. Lack of labor necessary for industrial development –> 90% of society were serfs
2. No incentive for trade
3. Debt:
   - Peasants did not make a profit due to old-fashioned agricultural techniques
   - Peasants unable to pay taxes
   - Landlords did not have enough supply to export + increase in population (domestic payments) –>
   - Peasants + landlords debt = government debt

Question 4

1950s Russia Military

Answer 4

1. Crimean war defeat –> loss of position as great western power
2. Big Russia –> lack of communication system
3. Need for reformation of the Russian Army
4. Long conscripts and tradition –> peasants served service
5. Poor humanitarian standards in the army
6. Over expenditure for the military (62% of government budget)

Question 5

1950s Russia Social

Answer 5

1. Lack of middle-class and urban workforce for industrialization
2. young elites “enlighten bureaucrats” –> became aware of the weakness of the Autocracy

Question 6

1950s Russia Military

Answer 6

1. Crimean war defeat –> loss of position as great western power
2. Big Russia –> lack of communication system
3. Need for reformation of the Russian Army
4. Long conscripts and tradition –> peasants served service
5. Poor humanitarian standards in the army
6. Over expenditure for the military (62% of the government budget)

Question 7

Historiography - Success Emancipation Edict

Answer 7

The single most important law or decree issued by any Tsar in the 19th century - Anderson

Question 8

Success Emancipation Edict

Answer 8

1. 40 million peasants were liberated
2. Granted ownership of their own property
3. Could open their own shops –> contribute to economy
4. Some peasants sold back their land and went to the cities
5. Emergence of Kulaks –> export
6. Landowners paid out debts + inversion
7. Russia’s industry expanded
8. State banks opened
9. Increase in grain production
10. Short term: rebellion for the next 40 years reduced, emancipation did not cause any massive rebellion
11. Long term: 85% serf became landowners over the next 20 years

Question 9

Historiography - Failures Emancipation Edict

Answer 9

1. Failed to meet peasant’s expectation –> redemption payments
2. Lacked administration capabilities to carry out efficiently
3. Issues with land allotments (bad for peasants, good for landowners)
4. Worsned wealth and living standards for peasants (under mir)
5. Failure to bring about economic modernization
6. Undermining the social structure
   - Landowners felt betrayed
   - Elite and landowners annoyed
   - Tsar lost support from the gentry
7. Undermined autocracy –> increasing opposition to Tsardom

Question 10

Alexander II other reforms

Answer 10

1. Military reform
2. Legal reform
3. Local reform
4. Education reform
5. Censorship
6. Minorities
7. Economic development

Question 11

Alexander II other reforms

Answer 11

1. Military reform
2. Legal reform
3. Local reform
4. Education reform
5. Censorship
6. Minorities
7. Economic development