Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE DETERMINED REFORMER Undertook program of vast & far-reaching reform (most significant = emancipation) Crimean War pointed out weaknesses, inferiority, & backwardness of Russia Determined to ensure greatness of Russia But never went too far with liberalism & consistently upheld autocracyALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM Motivations for abolition: Contributed to military backwardness Economically inefficient Fear of revolt from below Morally wrong Tsar said soALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM Process of emancipation: Creation of SECRET COMMITTEE• Made up of large landholders• No consensus about land redistribution  Secret Committee made MAIN COMMITTEE Finally agree on terms, approved by Tsar in 1861ALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM Emancipation Settlement: Freed serfs from bondage But had to buy land• Govt. would loan money• Redemption payment plan over 49 years at 6% interest  Land given to obshchina State peasants also freedALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM Reactions: Nobles sullen over loss of income Intelligentsia wanted more for peasants Peasants dazed & confused• insufficient land for survivalALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSTHE BIG ISSUE: SERFDOM Emancipation? Peasants bound to commune Commune perpetuated backwardness & inefficiency Peasants not given legal or political rights Did not lead to serious improvement of livesALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSOTHER REFORMS Administrative reforms ZEMSTVO system (1864)• Attempt to make local govt. more effective• Engaged in civic projects• Gave nobles bigger say in local govt.• But had many problems Commune perpetuated backwardness & inefficiencyALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSOTHER REFORMS Administrative reforms Village commune govt.• Controlled lives of peasants Town govt.• Ensured law & order in villagesALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSOTHER REFORMS Judicial reforms (1864) Clean up of legal system Established equality before law (except for peasants) Judiciary made separate branch of govt. Made system equal to most advanced Western systemsALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSOTHER REFORMS Military reforms (1874) Object = create better trained, more effective, social just army• Changed terms & conditions of service• Introduced education into armyALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSOTHER REFORMS Economic reforms Creates state treasury & state bank Educational reforms Allows students to go abroad Some higher ed. for women Reduces censorship in law But remains in practiceALEXANDER II & THE GREAT REFORMSASSESSMENTS Reforms did help transform Russia Sweeping social, economic, legal change Russia moves further toward modernization Led to pressure for more reform But Alexander would only go so far Much opposition to