DEPTH STUDIES: How liberal was Russian Government from 1855-1881?

Question 1

Why was Alex II traditionally seen as tsar liberator?

Answer 1

• Emancipation Edict (1861).
• Some historians believe that Alex II carried out these reforms to genuinely better the lives of the Russian people.

Question 2

Evidence that Alex II despite reforms preserved autocracy?

Answer 2

• Central gouvernement remained unrepresentative.
• The tsar made only one significant changes which was the replacement of The Personal Chancellory with the Council of Ministers.

Question 3

Why was the introduction of the Zemstva not seen as that liberal?

Answer 3

• Some argue that the tsar was force to make changes to local gov as a result of the emancipation of the serfs.
• Some argue that it created an “administrative monopoly of officialdom”.
• District and provincial zemstva were dominated by the nobility.

Question 4

What are the main components of Orlando Figes argument that opposition to Alex II occurred logically as a result of his reforms:

Answer 4

• Creation of the Zemstva led to the creation of the populist movement.
• Populists failed to gain support from peasants in 1874 - leads to the creation of the splinter group of “People’s Will” - wanted to assassinate government officials to weaken autocracy.
• 4 attempts were made on the tsars life.

Question 5

What was the 1877 trial of the 50?

Answer 5

• Led to the longterm imprisonment of key populists.