Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Alexander II
reforms
1855 - 1881
- Emancipation of the serfs - 1861
- Approx. 80% of the
population were
serfs.
- Serfdom recognised
as a major obstacle
for the the
modernisation of
Russian society.
- Subsistence agriculture - serfs
produced only enough food to feed
themselves.
- Little produce available
for export and in times of
poor harvest there was
widespread famine.
- By 1855 Russia was the
only major power which
still kept serfdom.
- 1861 - Alexander II issed
imperial decree which abolished
serfdom.
- Owners of the land had
to be compensated by
the state.
- Serfs had to pay
redemption payments
(taxes) to the Russian
Government - for 49 years.
- Serfs forced to live in 'mirs' (communes)
where land was held collectively.
- Administered by the elders of
the community.
- Elders redistribute the land according to
need - major obstacle to agricultural
improvement.
- When wanting to leave the
mir, he or she would have
to get the elders
permission.
- Stopped movement of people
into towns, impeding industry
development.
- 1891 Famine - Historians regarded the famine as a
major landmark in the crisis which engulfed the Tsarist
autocracy.
- Political
- 1864 - Alexander II introduced the
first form of elective government in
Russian history.
- Limited to the educated and wealthy.
- Zemstva - local government
units in rural areas.
- Limited to elementary
education and road
buliding. 1870 - elected
local gov. extended to
towns and cities.
- Judical
- 1870 - introduced trial by jury.
- Ordinary Russians
participated in the
dispensation of justice.
- Before 1870 -
justice preserve
of Tsar's
officals.