What problems did Tsar Alexander II face?

Military

• Crimean war - showed the need for urgent reform. 
• Undeveloped in comparison to other countries. 
• Serfs formed the mass of the military - lack of skill and motivation.
• Outdated techniques. 

Political

• Transport block led to a lack of communication.
• Tsar was very reliant on the land owners for control and communication.

Economic 

• Serfdom prevented the growth of Russian industrialisation.
• Transport blocked for the majority of the year - weather.

Social

• 80% of the population were serfs 
• Hierarchacel structure 
• Multitude of lamguages and religions - difficult to appease and communicate to everyone.