Alexander II- Reforms

Name the 4 main reasons for the Emancipation of the Serfs

Morally right, reduce risk of revolt, to help with military reforms after Crimean War disaster, Economic Reasons

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Why did peasants feel cheated about the Emancipation?

They believed they deserved to own the land they worked on, and instead had to pay for it over 49 years.

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Why were nobles angered by the Emancipation?

Felt they hadn't been compensated for the loss of the serfs they had owned, who had provided them with free labour.

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What were 'Kulaks'?

Enterprising peasants who bought land from poorer peasants and hired labour to make their own profits.

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Outline the key terms of the Emancipation

Serfdom, abolished, peasants now legally free, peasants could own their homes and small pieces of land, peasants had to make annual payments for the land over 49 years, nobles would be compensated for the loss of lands, but not for the loss of serfs.

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Between 1856-78, how much did the number of primary schools increase by?

From 8000 to 25,000

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What 2 changes did Alexander II make to secondary schools?

Opened them to all social classes, extended the curriculum to include a wider range of subjects

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What freedoms did Alexander II give to universities?

Freedom to govern themselves, choose their own professors, design their own courses

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What was the increase of university students from 1865-99?

From 4000 to 16,000

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What were the Zemstvos?

Local government authorities, made from elected officials who were responsible for running local areas.

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Name 2 positives of the Zemstvos

Improved and developed infrastructure such as roads and schools, members gained awareness of issues and pushed for social reforms to improve living conditions

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Name 2 negatives of the Zemstvas

Some of the nobles didn't take their roles seriously and acted selfishly, the peasants hardly participated, mainly because they were put off by the nobles

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Why could the increased education due to Alexander's reforms be considered dangerous to the regime?

More people at universities led to more critical thinking and opposition to the regime

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Name 2 Military Reforms under Alexander II

Universal Conscription involving ALL social classes, length of service reduced to 15 years from 25

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How did Alexander II make the judicial system more open and effective?

Reduced number of courts, paid judges better salaries and guaranteed that they couldn't be removed, Courts and their proceedings were open to public

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Give two outcomes from Alexander II's judicial reforms

Fairer trials, political authority of state challenged due to independence of the courts

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Name 2 ways Alexander II relaxed censorship

Publications no longer had to submit to prior censorship, newspapers could discuss government policy

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Why did Alexander II begin to reverse some of his reforms in 1866?

He narrowly survived an assassination attempt, leading to Conservative pressure to halt the reforms

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Name 3 ways in which Shuvalov restored tighter control

Made sure Conservatives gained key posts, tightened censorship, tightened controls of students

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What were the aims of the revolutionary group; Land and liberty?

To achieve agrarian socialism in rural areas.

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Into what 2 movements did Land and Liberty split into?

Black Partition (peaceful) and People's Will (violent)

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Alexander II- Reforms

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