Alexander II

19 th century Russia Population and National Groups Autocracy and serfdom Wealth and poverty Imperial Expansion

The Crimean War Despite being fought on her doorstep this was a heavy defeat Bravery of the Russian troops was no match for technological superiority of the allies Something had to change!

SERFDOM FEUDALISM – system whereby peasants rented land through their labour Peasants owned body & soul by their landlords – could be bought & sold like cattle Lives of the serfs were harsh – problem of land shortage Many tales of brutal treatment of serfs by their masters There were 50 million serfs in 1855 Between 1845 and 1860 there were over 800 instances of violent peasant unrest & between 1835 and 1861 over 250 serf owners or bailiffs killed

“It is better to begin abolishing serfdom from above than to wait for it to begin to abolish itself from below.” Alexander II’s objective in introducing reforms was to streamline the autocracy in order to make it more efficient in order to ensure its survival.

Edict of Emancipation 1861 Peasants now became free citizens with right to: Marry without landlord’s permission Own property Take legal action Engage in trade or business No longer be bought and sold Women free to chose their own husbands Landowners to sell land to their former serfs 20% price to be paid directly by peasants, 80% by government through treasury bonds Peasants paid remaining 80% in annual instalments over 49 years – Redemption Payments

And I can change my job and maybe start a business! Well I still don’t have enough land to make a decent living and those redemption payments are crippling me! Hey! I’m free at last! My own woman! I can marry who I want!

The Downside of Emancipation The MIR controlled the peasants and the land The strip farming system remained Individuals not given title deeds until land was paid for Some peasants received less land than before, some given none at all Redemption costs too high, peasants also now paying taxes!

What about the landowners? “I have lost land and the labour of my serfs. “ “My compensation payments have been swallowed up by debts” “The government bonds are losing value. I will have to sell more land to maintain my lifestyle.” “The Edict has damaged my economic fortunes and has signalled a decline in my political & social status.”

And there’s more! Landowner now no longer could claim to be dominant in local admin & to dispense justice Reform of local government Conscription system which relied totally on the peasants now obsolete. Reform of the legal system Reform of the Army

Local Government Reform Zemstva (local councils) set up to be responsible for local affairs Zemstva elected directly by local people – all classes voted & sat on councils Zemstva had wide range of responsibilities In 1870 urban equivalents set up in – municipal councils or dumas

Reform of legal system Introduced the idea of a judiciary independent of the government Equality before law for all citizens Trial by jury introduced Courts open to public Judges now to be well paid Judges to have professional qualifications

Army Reforms Most of most barbaric forms of punishment abolished Educational programmes to raise literacy levels All males subject to conscription Recruits chosen by ballot Length of service reduced from 25 to 16 years More officers from outside nobility

Reactions to the Reforms Much peasant unrest because dissatisfied A lot of criticism of the Edict, legal and political reforms Growth in revolutionary activity with groups like the Populists and Narodniks Criticism and attempt on Tsar’s lead to repression 1881 Alexander planning more reforms – setting Russia on path of constitutional government?