Alexander II Reforms (PDF)

What subsequent reforms did Alexander II make and what was their impact Who were the Winners: Kulaks - could buy land off serfs Peasants Nobles Who were the leaders: Peasants-some had less land and had to pay tax back to nobles through redemption payments...

What subsequent reforms did Alexander II make and what was their impact Who were the Winners: Kulaks - could buy land off serfs Peasants Nobles Who were the leaders: Peasants-some had less land and had to pay tax back to nobles through redemption payments Land owners - some still had debt and now lacked an income source they were also fearful of more unvest → many fled to towns and became westernised How did pressure for reform increase: Legal system had to adapt to cope with serf citizens Military needed reform due to loss of conscripted serfs Russia still back ward economically → needed education reform to promote economic modernisation Zemstva and Dumas introduced for reform to local government Readress problems highlighted by Crimea Support for reform from westernisers Alexander himself knew Russia needed reform but wanted to maintain his autocratic position The subsequent reforms Military reform Conscription widened to all and service reduced from 25 years to 6 years with 9 in reserve Conscription no longer punishment and flogging and corporal punishment banned Better training for officers and general army with military schools Overall wanted to reduce cost whilst improving efficiency Officers still most aristocrats and could find substitutes Education remained low in the army 1877-8 took much longer than excepted to defeat the Turks 1904-5 lost to japan Local government Zemstva introduced as local governments Could appoint officials and improve local communities and give peasants representation Dumas established for town councils Nobles still had larger political power with voting swayed in favour  No control over tax and could be overridden by provincial governors appointed by governors Judicial reform Replaced by new structure will public open courts with a jury lawyers and judges Meant to be a fairer western system Sparked a new atmosphere of debate Introduced slowly due to lack of lawyers Jury made up of property owners Defence lawyers too expensive for both Secret police remained Censorship reform Initial relaxation and in 1865 press allowed to comment on gov’t policy Foreign publications approved by gov’t were allowed Short lived written works growth 10,200 in 1855 to 10691 in 1884, 1870s increasing gov’t rules again and quickly tightened Educational reform 1863 unis gain independence and begin to teach more liberal courses Primary education grows and schools triple from 8,000 to 23,000 and students double Class bias reduced Restrictions remained with no student organisations Secondary school had to be paid for Economic reform Public banking and credit established giving people the opportunity for loans Gov’t guaranteed annual dividends Lack of entrepreneurship continued Overall Alexander’s reforms were ambitious but too naive and not drastic or quick enough. Alexander remained too focus on autocratic power and many reforms created a population which was educated and astute who wanted to rid Russia of the autocracy