Motives for Alexander II reforms

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  • Created by: LucyC
  • Created on: 18-09-24 14:23
When was the Crimean War?
1853-1856
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How did the Crimean War contribute to Alexander II's decision to introduce reforms?
- Land and sea warfare.
- A war of incompetence made
worse by outbreaks of Cholera.
- Highlighted Russian weaknesses
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Where and when did Russia suffer heavy defeats in the Crimean War?
- Balaclava (Oct 1854)
- Inkerman (Nov 1854)
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What were some more events that contributed to Russia's defeat in the Crimean War?
- March 1855- Tsar Nicholas dies.
- Sept 1855- Fortress of Sebastopol had fallen (shock and humiliation)
- Treaty of Paris (1856) prevents Russian warships using the Black Sea in peacetime.
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Which deficiencies did the war highlight?
1. Communication and inability to deploy resources effectively.
2. Weaponry and equipment- from 1854, the British and French had rifled muskets, but the Russians didn't.
3. Quality of leadership and efficiency of the army.
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Why was serfdom abolished?
- Liberals and conservatives generally agreed that the institution of serfdom lay at the heart of the backwardness.
- Other reforms could not take place successfully until serfdom was abolished.
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How did the Westernisers believe that the Russians should reform?
• Russia should adopt values and political/economic systems from the West.
• Promotion of individual rights and parliamentary democracy.
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Westernisers contd.
• Industrialise and urbanise (like the West) or be left behind.
• Wanted a parliament and constitution to aid reform
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How did the Slavophiles believe that Russia needed to reform?
- Russia had its own distinctive rich culture and traditions which were superior to the West.
- Rejection of parliamentarianism, individualism, rationalism and atheism.
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Slavophiles contd.
- Emphasis on togetherness and a belief that autocracy conveyed order and strength.
- Wanted Tsar to lead a consultative assembly of different social groups
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What did both groups agree on?
- Love of Russia was common to both groups, as was concern about the dominance of Western European countries.
- Both acknowledged changes were necessary, but had different beliefs about how those changes should be achieved.
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History of Alexander II
• Alexander’s father, Nicholas I, instilled the values of duty and obedience. He also believed the tsar should take a personal hand in all aspects of government, a role he tasked to his son.
• Tutored by Zhukovsky in history, sciences and languages.
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History of Alexander II contd.
• Toured 29 Russian provinces in 1937 with an aim of building a bond between the Tsar and his people
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Political beliefs
-Wished to see himself in the ranks of the modern Western monarchs, but he was no liberal.
- Firm believer in autocracy and Russia’s identity.
- Conservative who intended to preserve the best
of the old system.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

How did the Crimean War contribute to Alexander II's decision to introduce reforms?

Back

- Land and sea warfare.
- A war of incompetence made
worse by outbreaks of Cholera.
- Highlighted Russian weaknesses

Card 3

Front

Where and when did Russia suffer heavy defeats in the Crimean War?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What were some more events that contributed to Russia's defeat in the Crimean War?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Which deficiencies did the war highlight?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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