Alexander II Reforms and Defeat: A Turning Point in Russian History

1. Alexander II - reforms 1855 - 1871

2. Defeat in Crimean war • Defeat proved Russia was backward and had to change • Treaty of Paris – Black sea closed to • Russian navy - land lost to the West of Black sea - the Straights closed to warships

3. Emancipation of the serfs • Peasants became free with small amounts of land • Nobles received 80 % compensation from state and kept most land • Peasants had to pay for freedom • All land administered by the MIR • MIR controlled peasants

4. emancipation • Peasants not pleased • Still under landlords control • Alexander lost the opportunity to win the support of the peasants

5. Other reforms Aim – keep control of Russia by making some changes

6. Reforms • District government – ZEMSTVA – councils • 1870 – town councils set up • Law courts reformed • 1874 – army reformed • Education • Censorship relaxed • National minorities – some relaxation

7. Power still lay in the hands of the Tsar …..and he could change his mind!

8. Alexander II – stops reforms • 1866 assassination attempt • Feels no more need for reform • Stops reforms

9. Alexander II – later in the reign • He became more interested in Pan Slavism – especially helping Bulgaria • Russian expansion in Asia – towards India and the Pacific coast • Becomes worried about the threat from revolutionaries – uses the Okhrana

10. The growth of discontent • Reforms left people wanting for more! The new openness aroused expectations that the Tsar would not satisfy. • It made people criticise the autocracy • Growth of opposition groups – students and intellectuals – eg Karakosov!

11. Alexander assassinated 1881

12. Alexander III - reaction • Reforms reversed • Russification • Slavism was more popular – keep the autocracy strong!