Alexander II's Military Reforms

Alexander II's Military Reforms

• Military reform was a priority for Alexander's government, and it was military considerations which had done the most to convince the bureaucracy of the need to abolish serfdom.
• Geberal Dimitry Milutin advised the Tsar that reform of Russia's armed forces was not possible as long as serfdom persisted.
• It was evidently desirable that the modern soldier should have at least basic education, equipping with initiative and intelligence in a military context.
• Introducing military reforms meant that Russia would be able to fight on equal terms with Western forces in any future conflict.
• Miliutin introduced a series of radical reforms which were aimed at improving the efficiency and fairness of the Russian military system, the intention to create a more professional army ended the practice of using the military as:
• A penal instituation 
• …