Section 1: Trying to Preserve the Autocracy Flashcards
What was the Crimean War?
The Crimean War (1853-56) was a conflict where Russia went to war with the Ottomans over control of the Crimea.
Who joined Turkey in the Crimean War?
Britain and France joined Turkey, leading to an Anglo-French victory and forcing Russia to sue for peace.
What happened to Nicholas during the Crimean War?
Nicholas died of pneumonia after going out in the cold to talk to troops.
What were the effects of the Crimean War?
The war revealed Russia’s weaknesses in communication, artillery, and leadership, leading to urges for military reform.
How did Alexander II end the Crimean War?
He ended the Crimean War by signing the Treaty of Paris in 1856.
Why did Alexander II request reforms?
Defeat in the Crimean War highlighted the need for reform in Russia to keep up with the West, particularly regarding serfdom.
What were the 1840 debates over reform?
Westernisers believed Russia should adopt Western ideas of industrialisation, while Slavophiles believed in preserving Russia’s unique culture.
What were the justifications for the emancipation of the serfs in 1861?
The moral case against serfdom, fear of peasant revolts that had increased since 1840, the Crimean War’s exposure of military weaknesses which was made up of serfs, raising the question about how long they would remain loyal if their condition did not improve, and economic arguments for free labour - the claim being free labour is more productive than forced labour
What was the process of emancipation?
In 1856, it was declared to the nobles that it was better to abolish serfdom from above. The Emancipation Statutes were drawn up in February 1861, with a two-year transitional period to calculate land redistribution.
What did the 1861 Emancipation Statute state?
It stated that serfdom was abolished, serfs were legally free, and they would receive land but had to make annual redemption payments over 49 years and were still tied to the Mir
What were the consequences of serfdom?
Peasants were angry as they received slightly less land than than they had worked before as the best land was reserved for the nobility and they felt they had been cheated as they believed that ‘land belonged to those who worked it’. Additionally, the Mir’s control over the peasants were strengthened meaning peasants were only free by name.
Nobles were also angry as they felt they had not been properly compensated and were gradually losing status and influence.
However, it earnt Alexander the II title of ‘Tsar Liberator’
Who were the Milyutin brothers?
Nicholas and Dmitri Milyutin were liberal officials; Nicholas drafted the emancipation edict but was dismissed, while Dmitri opposed serfdom.
What were the local government reforms under Alexander II?
A system of elected local councils called the Zemstvo was established, with powers to improve public services, develop industrial projects and administer poor relief in times of hardship, although the voting system was arranged in a way which allowed for the nobility to dominate. They were also only introduced in a limited number of provinces (19) meaning they were slow to achieve any change
What judicial reforms were made under Alexander II?
The justice system became fairer and less corrupt.
This was done through the accused being presumed innocent until proven guilty and could employ a lawyer to defend themselves, criminal cases were heard before barristers and a jury and courts were opened up to the public
However, there was no real change as bureaucracy could still intervene and separate peasant courts meant they were isolated from main legal systems
What military reforms were implemented by Alexander II?
Conscription was made compulsory for all classes at the age of 21, medical care improved, and literacy, officer training were enhanced and promotions were made open to all classes
What issues persisted in Russia’s military relationship with war?
The army struggled in the war against Turkey (1877-78) and was defeated by Japan (1894-05) and Germany (1914-17).
What education reforms occurred under Alexander II?
There was previously poor quality teaching and it was difficult to access education for the peasantry, however, under Alexander II:
Universities gained self-governance and could appoint their own staff, schooling responsibility shifted from the church to the zemstvo, and schools became open to all, regardless of class and sex
What was early censorship like under Alexander II?
Censorship was relaxed, allowing newspapers and books greater freedom and leading to a growth in published literature as they no longer had to be submitted for prior censorship. Newspapers could even discuss jury trials and government policy
Why did Alexander II impose reactionary responses after 1866?
He faced criticism for being too liberal (going to far) and from those demanding more concessions (believed Alexander II had not gone far enough)
What were Alexander II’s reactionary responses?
He dismissed liberal ministers such as the Milyutin brothers and appointed more liberal ones, tightened censorship, restricted school board powers as the new Minister of Education believed that ‘revolution started in schools’ , and favoured classical subjects such as Greek and Latin over alternative ones such as science
What happened during Alexander II’s final years?
He was assassinated in March 1881, by the people’s Will, while on his way to sign the Loris Melikov Constitution, which aimed for parliamentary democracy as others would have a say on state decrees.
What were Alexander III’s attitudes when he came to power?
He blamed Liberalism for his father’s assassination and announced that he would ‘rule with faith in the strength and truth of autocratic power’, rejected reform saying that he ‘would not grant Russia a constitution for anything on earth .’, Loris Melikov Constitutions were denounced and Liberals like Loris Melikov and Dmitri Milyutin were replaced by conservative ministers
Who was Pobedonostev?
Pobedonostev was Alexander III’s tutor and a Slavophile who influenced him against Liberalism.
Why did Alexander III impose counter reforms?
To increase centralized power.
