Urban and Rural Changes under Alexander II

Urban Living Conditions

• Urban population began to grow during Alexander II's reign, albeit at a slower pace compared to later rulers.
• Emergence of communal houses ("kommunalkas") housing multiple families, lacking basic amenities like plumbing and running water.
• Workers mainly consisted of temporary migrants from rural areas, preventing a significant working-class consciousness.
• Rapid cultural development in towns occurred; they became centers of political and legal life with a doubling of small town populations.
• Factories began to establish on town peripheries and landowners' estates, with industry thriving in regions like Ivanovo.
• Improvements in sanitation were implemented, including new pipelines, sewage systems, and paved roads.
• A vibrant local professional community emerged, contributing to a distinctive political culture through the zemstvo.

Urban Working Conditions

• Workers in industry represented a minor segment of the population, around 2%.
• Peasants engaged in temporary employment in towns, primarily for seasonal work such as harvests.
• Legislation began to regulate factory work, introducing a minimum working age of 12 and limited working hours for younger individuals.
• Unsafe working conditions persisted due to a lack of factory inspectors and safety equipment, with employer profit being the primary focus.

Rural Living Conditions

• Minimal change in peasant living conditions; traditional housing (Izba) remained uncomfortable and overcrowded.
• Life expectancy for Russian peasants was significantly lower (around 35 years) compared to Britain (45 years) during this period.
• Examination of land ownership revealed a decline among the nobility post-emancipation, resulting in decreased standards of living.
• Regions with significant state serf populations exhibited better living conditions due to more land, highlighting disparities across regions.

Rural Working Conditions

• Emancipation of the Serfs led to limited changes in agricultural practices and conditions for peasants.
• Average peasant received four hectares, but technological advancements in farming were largely absent.
• Redemption payments and taxation constrained peasants, leading to stagnation in agricultural productivity despite population growth.
• Railway developments facilitated better produce distribution and export, marking some advancement in infrastructure.

Concluding Points on Living and Working Conditions

• Overall, both urban and rural living conditions were harsh and challenging for the average Russian.
• Urban workers faced cramped and unhealthy living situations with increasing factory exploitation, especially among children.
• Peasant life remained tough, burdened by limited land ownership and dictated by the Mir, mirroring pre-1855 circumstances.
• While cultural and middle-class opportunities expanded in urban settings, the aristocracy and agrarian sectors faced stagnation and decline.

Explore the subtle shifts in urban and rural living and working conditions during the reign of Alexander II. This quiz addresses the less obvious transformations compared to other leaders like Nicholas II and Lenin, offering insights into a critical era of Russian history. Examine the context and implications of these changes in everyday life.