Alexander II's reforms Part 1

Alexandeer II's motives for reforms

The Crimean War:

• The final defeat in 1856 highlighted both the problem of Russia's reliance on serf armies and the countrys economic backwardness - particularly its lack of railways and outdated weaponry 
• Despite spending 45% of annual expenditure on the army, Russia suffered incompetent officers, numilation and an increase in serf uprisings

Political motives:

• Tsarist autocracy relied on the nobility, yet many were in heavy debt
• a growing serf population and inadequate agricultural systems meant declining incomes, and many…