Topic 1 Flashcards
Describe the political and military characteristics of Russia in 1855
Autocratic
1.5 million serfs conscripted into the army
Army used 45% of expenditure
Nobles helped Tsar to rule
Describe the economic characteristics of Russia in 1855
Command economy Exportation of primary goods Prevented movement of workers to factories Consumer demand low Inefficient agricultural system
Describe the social characteristics of Russia in 1855
Tsar was head of church with religion used as a form of indoctrination 3/4 lived in Western Russia 11:1 village to town dwellers Conscription for 25yrs 82% illiterate
What factors caused Alexander II to introduce reforms
Failure in the Crimea
Failing economy
Comparisons with the West - liberal revolutions swept Europe in 1884 causing peasant uprisings
Why did the Crimean war cause Alexander II to implement reforms
Humiliated Russian army
Less of naval port of Sebastopol
Peasant uprisings - 300 incidents
When was Serfism abolished through the Emancipation Edict in Russia
1861
Why was Serfism abolished by Alexander II
To ensure growth of industry = through more agricultural exports, increased investment in industry
In order to reform army = after Crimea, greater prosperity and power
To stop increasing revolts = satisfy intelligentsia etc. and ensure continuation of regime
What were serfs granted though the emancipation edict
Freedom of movement and education
Released from ties with landowners
Each family entitled to cottage and allotment
How were landowners affected by the emancipation of serfs
Received compensation for loss of land
Retained ownership of meadows, pasture and woodland
How were serfs badly affected by their emancipation
Required to pay redemption payments for 49yrs with 6% interest
Pay labour service for two yrs
What were the main aims of Alexander II’s military reforms
Create a smaller, more efficient, more profession and less expensive army
What were 3 of the changes made to the military in Alexander II’s reforms
Length of service reduced to 15yrs
Conscription compulsory for all members of society
Modern weaponry introduced
What were the local government reforms Alexander II put in place
Local councils (Mir) maintained an pad developed communities
Zemstvas had authority to run public services and schools
Town Dumas were established
What were the shortfalls with the local government reforms Alexander II implemented
No National Assembly ever created
No control over state or local taxes
Law officials were appointed by the Tsar
Nobles made up 74% of Zemstva members
What were the economic reforms Alexander II put in place
Reformed the treasury
State bank established 1860
Liberal trade policies and lower tariffs
Government subsidies to private entrepreneurs
What were the negatives of the economic reforms that Alexander II put in place
Poll tax rose by 80%
Rate of development remained slow and industry remained backwards
What were the educational reforms Alexander II put in place
Responsibility for schooling transferred from church to Zemstva
Number primary schools rose to 23,000 in 1880
Number of children in primary education rose to over 1 million
What were the negatives of educational reforms that Alexander II put in place
Liberal policies made universities into a powder keg
Student radicalism grew
What were the legal reforms Alexander II put in place
New legal system
Principle of equality before the war
Judges given better training and pay to prevent corruption
Freedom of press extended
What were the criticisms of Alexander II’s reforms
Didn’t go far enough
No attempt at substantial political reform
No elected assembly
Peasants given no land
Why and how did Alexander II’s reforming policy change from 1866 onwards
Attempt on his life in 1866
Reforming ministers replaced with conservative ministers
Censorship returned
Traditional curriculum returned to schools
Liberal courses at universities replaced
What three forms did opposition take towards Alexander II
Intelligentsia
Marxist thinking
Terrorism
How did terrorism become a form of opposition towards Alexander II
People’s Will assassinated Tsar
Land and Liberty shot head of the third section in 1878
How did intelligentsia become a form of opposition towards Alexander II
Narodniks and populists believed in going to the people
Failed due to peasant conservatism and police repression
How did marxist thinking become a form of opposition towards Alexander II
Began to appear in 1869
Mostly remained in intellectual circles
How successful were the People’s Will
Terrorism and violence
Achieved short term aim of assassinating Tsar
Tsar in verge of considering constitutional reform
How successful were the black partition
Peaceful
Continued with radical ideas and literature
When was the trial of the 193
1878
What were the trials of the 193
Criminal trials open to public hearing
193 students and revolutionaries charged with populist unrest and propaganda
Allowed for a fair trails
Allowed radical views to be voiced
What were the results of the trial of the 193
98 acquitted
28 sentenced
