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ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS

ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS. THE DETERMINED REFORMER Undertook program of vast & far-reaching reform (most significant = emancipation) Crimean War pointed out weaknesses, inferiority, & backwardness of Russia Determined to ensure greatness of Russia

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ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS

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  1. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS

  2. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE DETERMINED REFORMER • Undertook program of vast & far-reaching reform (most significant = emancipation) • Crimean War pointed out weaknesses, inferiority, & backwardness of Russia • Determined to ensure greatness of Russia • But never went too far with liberalism & consistently upheld autocracy

  3. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM • Motivations for abolition: • Contributed to military backwardness • Economically inefficient • Fear of revolt from below • Morally wrong • Tsar said so

  4. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM • Process of emancipation: • Creation of SECRET COMMITTEE • Made up of large landholders • No consensus about land redistribution • Secret Committee made MAIN COMMITTEE • Finally agree on terms, approved by Tsar in 1861

  5. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM • Emancipation Settlement: • Freed serfs from bondage • But had to buy land • Govt. would loan money • Redemption payment plan over 49 years at 6% interest • Land given to obshchina • State peasants also freed

  6. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM • Reactions: • Nobles sullen over loss of income • Intelligentsia wanted more for peasants • Peasants dazed & confused • insufficient land for survival

  7. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • THE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM • Emancipation? • Peasants bound to commune • Commune perpetuated backwardness & inefficiency • Peasants not given legal or political rights • Did not lead to serious improvement of lives

  8. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • OTHER REFORMS • Administrative reforms • ZEMSTVO system (1864) • Attempt to make local govt. more effective • Engaged in civic projects • Gave nobles bigger say in local govt. • But had many problems • Commune perpetuated backwardness & inefficiency

  9. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • OTHER REFORMS • Administrative reforms • Village commune govt. • Controlled lives of peasants • Town govt. • Ensured law & order in villages

  10. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • OTHER REFORMS • Judicial reforms (1864) • Clean up of legal system • Established equality before law (except for peasants) • Judiciary made separate branch of govt. • Made system equal to most advanced Western systems

  11. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • OTHER REFORMS • Military reforms (1874) • Object = create better trained, more effective, social just army • Changed terms & conditions of service • Introduced education into army

  12. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • OTHER REFORMS • Economic reforms • Creates state treasury & state bank • Educational reforms • Allows students to go abroad • Some higher ed. for women • Reduces censorship in law • But remains in practice

  13. ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMS • ASSESSMENTS • Reforms did help transform Russia • Sweeping social, economic, legal change • Russia moves further toward modernization • Led to pressure for more reform • But Alexander would only go so far • Much opposition to reform

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