Tsarist and Communist Russia 2- Alexander II, the 'Tsar Reformer'

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What did Alexander II decided to do when he came to power?
Decided to emancipate 51 million serfs in 1861.
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Why did he do this?
To set Russia on a new path of reform and transforming Russian society .
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What followed emancipation in terms of reform?
A series of reform in other areas e.g. the army, local government, the judiciary and education.
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But what were the negatives on emancipation?
Emmon's called the emancipation a piece of 'state-directed' manipulation of society that aimed to 'strengthen social and political stability', rather than a product of 'liberal' thinking from an enlgihtened Tsar.
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Who helped the motive for reform?
His brother Grand Duek Konstantin, his aunt teh Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna and other 'enlightened bureaucrats' such as the Milyutin Brothers.
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Was Alexander II conservative or liberal?
Conservative, but wasn't full convinced by the arguments put forward.
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How was peasant discontent a major factor for emancipation?
There was an increase in peasant uprisings since the 1840's. Between 1840 and 1844, there had been fewer than 30 outbreaks of disorder per year. That figure more than doubled over next 15 years.
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Why was there a rise in peasant discontent?
The landowners had pushed peasants to produce more or pay higher rents in order to maintian their own incomes, and thhere had been protests agaisnt military conscription.
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How was the Crimean War a major factor for reform?
The humiliations and inefficienties were the main catalyst for action. Dmitry Milyutin, the minister of War 1861-81, pleaded for reform in order to 'strengthen the State and restore dignity'. He believed that the army had to be modernised.
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What did Alexander really want?
Determined to maintain the tsarist autocracy and upholf his 'Gold-given' duties, but did feel the pressure to reform.
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How did he beign his reign?
Released political prisoners and pardoned the Decemberists.
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What serfs did the 1861 Emancipation Edict apply to?
Applied to privately owned serfs, although the state owned serfs received their freedom in 1866.
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What did the Emancipation Edict grant the serfs?
Granted them freedom and an allotment of land, while landowners receieved compensation.
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What were the freed serfs required to do?
Had to pay redemption payments to the government for 49 years, for their land, and were to remain in their peasant commune (mir) until these redemption payments had been paid.
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What was the mir responsible for?
Distributing allotments, controlling the farming, and collecting and paying the peasants' taxes.
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What did the volosts do?
Establsihed to supervise the mirs. From 1863, the volosts ran their own courts, replacing the landlords' jurisdiction over serfs.
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What was the two year period known as?
'Temporary obligation'. This was before freedom was granted, during which allocations were worked out. Landowners kept thr meadows, pasture, woodland and a personal holding. Open fields were given to the mirs.
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How did kulaks do out of emancipation?
Did very well out of emancipation. Thry boguht up extra land so they could produce surplus grain for export. Others sold up their allocation, or obtained a passport to leave the mir, raised their individual living standard by finding work.
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What did the landowners get out of emancipation?
They used their compensation offered to get out of debt.
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What did the peasants think of emancipation?
Felt like they had been cheated, because the land allocations were rarely fair. The small allotments were increasingly divided.
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How was the mir system regarded?
A highly traditional system, and substience farming and technical backwardness persisted. in 1878, only 50% of thee peasantry was capable of producing a surplus.
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How was rural life made difficult?
The loss of former benefits, restrictions on travel and the burden of redemption payments made life difficult. Resentment of the kulaks easily led to further violent oubreaks in the countryside.
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When wer the military reforms introduced?
1874-75.
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Who organised the military reforms?
Dmitry Milyutin. He reorganised the armed forces to create a smaller, more professional, more efficient and less expensive army.
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How did conscription change?
Conscription was made compulsory for all classes (including nobles) from the age of 21. The length of service was reduced from 25 years to 15 of active service, and 10 years in the reserves.
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How did punishments change?
They were made less severe and the system of military colonies was abandoned.
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How was weaponry changed?
Modern weaponry was introduced and a new command structure was established.
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How was literacy changed in the army?
It was improved, with mass army-education campaigns in the 1870s-90s.
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When were the local government reforms introduced?
1864-70.
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Why were local government reforms introduced?
To replace the rights and oblligations of the former serf-owning gentry.
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What did the local government reforms introduce?
A system of elected local councils, both at district and provincal levels. This was known as the zemstva.
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How were the zemstva chosen?
Through electoral colleges, with separate colleges for nobles, townspeople, Church and peasants. But the voting system was created so the nobility dominated.
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What were the zemstva given power to do?
To improve publicc services, develop industrial projects and administer poor releif in times of hardship. in 1870, this reform was extended to towns, where elected town councils called dumas were set up.
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What did the introduction of a degree at a local level mean for the intelligensia?
It raised the hopes of the intelligentsia who wanted a representative National Assembly.
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But what was the limitations of the zemstva?
The power was strictly limited. They had no control over taxes.
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When were the judiciary reforms introduced?
1864
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Why was there a need for judiciary reforms?
Emancipation demanded an overhaul of the law, partiucarly over property rights, and a change in the administration of local justice.
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What wasnt there before the reforms?
No jury system, no lawyers and no examination of witnesses.
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What was the new system modelled on?
The West. Criminal cases could be heard in front of barristers and a jury. Judges are appointed by the Tsar. Local Justices of Peace were elected every 3 years by the zemstva.
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When did the Education reforms take place?
1863-64.
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Why did emancipation need to change education?
Increased the need for basic literacy and numeracy, among peasants trying to run their own small-handlings.
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What did the zemstva do in education?
It provided an opportunity for a change in the control and funding for education
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Who was the Minister of Education?
Alexander Golovnin.
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How did universities change?
Universities were given the opportunity to govern themselves and appoint their own staff.
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What happened to the responsiblity of the schools?
It was transferred from the Orthodox Church to the zemstva.
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How did primary and secondary education change?
It was extended, with 'modern schools' established at secondary level. those who didnt want a traditional classic education, could attend a gimnaziya. Both allowed people to attend to university.
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How did schools change in terms of people attending?
Schools were declared 'open to all' regardless of class and sex.
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Because of how successful this reform was, what happened?
After 1866, it was deemed necessary for the government to reassert control.
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How many primary schools were there?
Rose from 8000 in 1856 to 23,000 in 1880. Number of children in primary school went from 400,000 to over a million. The number of people attending university grew from 3600 to 10,000 in 1870's.
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When were the censorship reforms introduced?
1858-70.
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What did the initial relaxation of censorship allow?
Exetdned it to all books and newspapers. restrictions on publishers were reduced, foreign publications were pemitted with governmental approval.
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What did the relaxation of censorshp do for Russia?
There was a short-lived growth in the numbers of books, journals and newspapers on sale in Russia. The number of books published grew from 1020 in 1855 to 1836 in 1864 and 10,691 by 1894.
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Why did he do this?

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To set Russia on a new path of reform and transforming Russian society .

Card 3

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What followed emancipation in terms of reform?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

But what were the negatives on emancipation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who helped the motive for reform?

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