Alex II and Alex III- revision
Sample Essay Titles
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Compare and contrast the policies of Alexander II (1855-81) and Alexander
III (1881-94) of Russia.
For what reasons, and with what results, did Alexander II try to reform
Russian institutions?
Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Russia in the second half of the
nineteenth century.
Alexander II tried to reform Russian institutions only because the Crimean
War showed that Russia was no longer a great military power.” Use
specific examples of Alexander’s reforms to show to what extent you agree
with this assertion.
Last Specific focus on Foreign Policy question was in 2001
Despite his apparently liberal policies, Alexander II was just as conservative
as Alexander III.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
REFORM VS REACTION
REFORM OF RUSSIAN INSTITUTIONS
• Aim for a thematic approach
• Make sure you know how much Alex II
and Alex III reformed Russian
institutions- this can then help you do
compare / contrast or success / failure.
Alex II
• Key phrase often used in exam questions is the ‘reform of Russian
institutions’ be sure to state what they are- (army, judiciary,
education, local government, serfdom) this then sets up a
thematic approach to the essay.
• Any essay on Alex II domestic policy should deal with the
Emancipation of the Serfs.
• Alex II as ‘Tsar Liberator’- again use the institutions and particularly
the Emancipation of the Serfs.
• “The emancipation of the serfs in Russia was the only genuine
reform introduced by Alexander II.” To what extent do you agree
with this assertion?- again you would start with Serfdom and then
move onto other institutions
Alex III
• Key phrase often used is ‘reaction /
counter reform’- be clear to explain this.
• How far was he a reactionary?
• He did make some reforms
Tsar Liberator?
• Recognised that reform needed to come ‘from above’ to
avoid forces of change from below.
• Impact of defeat in the Crimean War.
• Serfdom was inefficient- economic reasons for
emancipation (1861).
• Emancipation of the Serfs- ‘state engineering’- broke
the feudal contract- the Mir system was strengthenedsome local autonomy for peasants- more freedom of
movement for peasants/ rise of a new ‘class’ of peasantBUT redemption payments tied peasants to the land- Mir
exercised control over the peasants in the same way the
gentry had/ Civil disturbances
Emancipation- views
• Moral improvement
• Great step forward for Russia
• Decline in the overall size of peasants land
holding
• Opportunity missed by Alex to reform
further due to his commitment to
Autocracy
Other reforms – for revision
• Admin / Govt– setting up of the ZEMSTVA – rural local councils –
‘local initiative- local government for the people- but still dominated
by the nobility.
• JUDICIARY- reforms dealt with various abuses of law- dealt with
corruption within justice system. Trial by jury / Public trials. Pay for
judges. Police / Judge role redefined.
• MILITARY- Milyutin’s reforms- training of officers / Military Coderesponse to Crimean defeat. Conscription / Education of solidersoverall failure with defeats in 1904 / 1917
• EDUCATION- zemstva controlled rather than the church‘liberalisation’ of education- women / class / curriculum choiceuniversity independence.
NOTE OVERALL INFLUENCE OF ARISTOCRACY
WHICH LIMITS SCALE OF REFORMS
BUT…. To what extent was he
a reformer?
• Autocracy- reforms made to ensure its
survival.
• Nobility still had great influence in Russian
institutions.
• Radical in the context of Tsarism- but not
enough.
• Reforms gave rise to political
consciousness.
• Ultimately Alex II reliant upon repression
to uphold the regime.
Alex III- the Reactionary
• Personality- assassination of Father- - western style govt not
‘Russian’.
• Wanted to rule as an autocrat- ‘Black Tsar’.
• High levels of repression- formation of Okhrana. High levels of
censorship.
• Attempts to ‘turn back the clock’ on the reform of Russian institutions
• Controls on judiciary- justice of peace (volost) abolished- replaced
with Land Captains- nobility influence again. ‘In camera’ trials
allowed. Crimes against state officials heard without a jury
• Zemstva came under the control of the Ministry of the Interior
• Education- women denied access to higher courses. Fees
increased. Church influence over primary schools increased.
But…. there were reforms
• 1883 Peasants Land Bank- loans to
peasants.
• Abolition of poll tax 1886
• 1885 Nobles’ Land Bank
• 1882 Child Labour Laws- working hours
Policy of Russification- key
features
• Emphasis on Russian language, culture, religion and
identity.
• Use of the education system to support this.
• Conscription into the army.
• Closure of Jewish schools
• 1881- 1883 Pogroms- attacks on Jewish businesses /
property.
• 1882 ‘Provisional Rules’ measures to restrict the civil
rights of Jews- e.g. no right of appeal in court.
Task
• Reasons and results of Alex II reform of
Russian institutions
• Reasons and results of Alex III’s counter
reforms.
Compare and contrastthematic structure
• Personality.
• Attitude towards autocracy.
• Attitude towards reform of Russian
institutions.
• Attitude towards opposition groups.
• Foreign Policy.
• Use of repression / Russification
Alex II and Alex II- compare and
contrast
Comparison
Contrast