Overview
Alexander II
Weaknesses of Russia
Emancipation of the serfs- 1861
Other reforms e.g law, military, educational.
Strength and weaknesses of reforms
Reaction to reforms
Assumed power in February 1855
Was well prepared to become Tsar thanks to his father, Nicholas I, who instilled ion him the value of duty and obedience.
He had a well rounded education and enjoyed military life and taking part in ceremonies.
However, David Saunders described him as not very bright, not a strong character and not very good at making decisions.
In 1837, with his tutor Zhukovsky, he went on a tour of Russia's 29 provinces, to places the rest of the imperial family had never been.
He married the German Princess Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1841 and had 8 children.
He was the first Tsar to consider that the people's approval was an important part of autocratic rule.