Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Reform
and
Reaction
1855-1881
- Motives for Reform
- Political Considerations
- Nicholas I's policy of repression
hadn't worked, so Alexander II had
to find other ways of improving
Russia.
- Loss of the Crimean War
- Humiliation!
- Economic crisis, caused by backlash.
- International
opinion and pressure from
Western societies.
- Pressure from family
members, such as Grand
Duke Constantine.
- Moral and Intellectual Decisions
- Intelligentsia demanded change.
- People believed in the current
education system (Orthodox
Church in control of primary and
secondary education).
- Economical Condsiderations
- Russia needed to
'catch up' with the
West.
- Serfdom was a weak
foundation upon which
Russia was built.
- Prevented
economic
development.
- Russia's
population had
doubled -
Urgent need to
reform.
- Alexander II's own views.
- Fully committed
Autocrat, but had a
very liberal outlook.
- Wanted a healthy,
dynamic economy
without loosing his
autocracy.
- The Impact of Reform
- Emancipation
- Many serfs resented
the idea of having to
pay 'redemption' for
land they already
regarded as their own.
- The nobility had lost their
workforce, and so disagreed
with the decree in the first
place.
- The economy remained
stagnant and technical
backwardness
continued.
- Unrest in the
countryside
continued.
- Although internal
travel was
permitted, is was
still severely
restricted - This
was detrimental
to the cause, as a
mobile workforce
was desperately
needed.
- Military
1874
- Officers were angry as
forces were cut down
to create a more elite
army.
- Length of service was
reduced as well, angering
noble leaders further.
- Peasant conscription
was abolished, and made
compulsory for all
classes
- Local
Government
1864
- Zemstva's were established,
pleasing the liberals and
Intelligentsia
- Who were given the right to improve
public services = improved quality of
life for peasants.
- However, they were
dominated by nobles
and although
representation was
available, it was a
tediously slow process.
- Judicial
1864
- All classes were judged equally before the law.
- Judges training and
payment were improved
to prevent corruption
- The jury system could undermine government control.
- Case of Vera
Zasulich, who
was acquitted of
terrorism
although guilty.
- Educational
1863 - 64
- Primary curriculum
was still based on
religion
- Secondary
education
was still fee
paying.
- Students weakened the regime by
joining radical opposition groups.
- The Extent of
Reaction, before
1881
- Polish Revolt
1863
- A2 revoked
Nationalist
Reforms in
response.
- Death of A2's son,
1865
- A2 withdrew from
public life to grieve,
relying on hard-line
ministers to oversee
Russia.
- A2 had a new mistress.
- Pushing
him away
from his
more
liberal
family
members.
- Assassination
Attempt 1866
- Karakozov, a nobleman, was acting on behalf of
the peasants.
- Examples of Reaction:
- Authority over
primary schools
was returned to
the Orthodox
Church.
- Removal of
liberal subjects
from University
curriculums.
- Work of the Third Section was
drastically increased.
- Censorship was re-introduced
and increased.
- Results of the Period of Reaction
- Critics and opponents
thrived underground.
- Increased hostility towards
non - Russians.
- e.g Pogroms.
- New
opposition
movements
developed and
approved.
- The Significance
of Opposition
- The Spread of Opposition
- Relaxation of
censorship laws
enabled the
spread of radical
journals.
- Education reforms
created a generation of
youth who were keen to
see their country
modernise.
- Zemstva allowed middle class
intellectuals a platform to debate their
ideas for Russia.
- Repression in
1866 meant that
liberal demands
became more
extreme and
called for a
complete change
in society.
- Populism 1867 - 1872
- Believed in land
redistribution and fairer
taxes.
- In 1874, 2,000 of Russia's
youth went 'to the people',
dressed as peasantry in effort
to sway the peasants to the
Populist's socialist ideas.
- The peasantry were very superstitious and reported the Populist's to the authorities.
- In 1876, there was another drive but it also failed.
- Exam Question:
- Why did Populism fail in the 1870's? (12)
- Peasants were too loyal and resistant to change.
- Not enough people were
behind the Populist
movement, meaning no
realistic impact could be made.
- The Orthodox church disagreed
with the Populist
movement.
- Unrealistic aims.
- Further Radicalisation
1870 -1881
- Land and Liberty Splits
1879
- The Black Partition
- Worked peacefully
alongside the
peasants.
- Spread radical ideas
among students and
workers.
- The Peoples Will
- Aimed to establish
representative government and
land redistribution.
- Advocated violent methods and
assassinations. March 1881, they succeeded
in assassinating Alexander II.