Emancipation of the Serfs

• Prepared for the role of Tsar by his father
• Well planned education
• Widly travelled man
• Strict millitary upbringing
• Had a depth of knowledge about Russia's problems as he served on committees
• Humane and sensitive person - more than his father
• Strong belief in autocracy 
• Patriotic, religious and conservative
• Desired real change in Russia
• Known as the 'Tsar Liberator' - due to the amount of reforms he introduced

The Crimean War

• Humiliating defeat highlighted that Russia was miles behind modern European powers
• Russia had not changed much since 1812
• Difficulty in ending the war and clear threat of future attack 
• Real changes was needed
• Russian communications were woeful
• Munitions industries inadequate
• Administration was corrupt and ineffective
• Discontent had spread in all classes

Alexander II brought in a number of important reforms, the most notable being the Emancipation of the Serfs in 1861

1) The Crimean War - Russia was economically backward and soldiers equipment was inadequate. The army could not be reorganised until the question of serfdom was addressed

2) Personal Reasons - Alex was a humane man and had studies the problem of serfdom

3) Moral - There was a growing criticism of the immorality of the system

4) Peasant Unrest - This was growing

5) Economic - Stopped developing private enterprise, growing small amount of private emancipation, increasing famine, railway was needed

Land - all non state land belonged to nobles, serfs had to buy land they worked on. Peasants lost rights to woods and commons, domestic serfs not given land.

Personal - Peasants no longer owened by lords. Free to marry, trade, work as pleased. No longer forced to work or give money to lords

MIR (village commune) - power strenghened. Took over lords roles ie tax collection. Collectivly owned peasant land and collection of redemption payment. Had to agree if peasants wanted to leave.

Compensation and Finance - Lords compensated for land losses and peasants had to pay redemption payments. 

Social

• The peasants were diappointed over the terms of emancipation.
• 647 riots in the first four months
• Peasants still had special courts and no full citizen rights
• Gentry lost a third of their land
• Massive population rose put pressure on the land

Military - Series of military reforms trained peasant reserve army was now possible

Economic 

• Key step to a capitalist economy encouraged the growth of railway, banking, industry and cities
• Mir restriced the flow to the town
• Agricultural production was not revolutionised
• No natural surplus, quarter of farms not self sufficient

Political - Gentry resisted change and they lost power over serfs so demanded political power.