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How Did Alexander II Transform Russia

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How Did Alexander II Transform Russia
Alexander III was the ruler who did the most to transform Russia in the period 1855 to 1914. How far do you agree?
There are three Tsars that had many ideas and plan to transform Russia in the period 1855 to 1914. Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II all made reforms to transform and modernise Russia so that it economy was up to date with the rest of Europe.
When Alexander II came into power Russia had become involved in the Crimean War, a conflict fought primarily in the Crimean peninsula. Alexander II desired for reforms for Russia was widespread. The most pressing problem which confronted the Government was that of serfdom. Alexander II made up his own mind to abolish serfdom from above rather than wait for it to be abolished from below through revolution. The emancipation of the serfs in 1861 was the one of the most important event in 19th century Russian history. Emancipation brought a supply of free labour to the cities, industry was stimulated, and the middle class grew in number and influence.
Unlike his father, the new tsar Alexander III believed that Russia could be saved from chaos only by
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This included permitting each district to set up a Zemstvo. These were local councils with powers to provide roads, schools and medical services. However, the right to elect members was restricted to the wealthy. The legal system was also reformed in 1864. The judiciary became an independent branch of government. Favour under the law for the wealthy and upper classes was replaced by what was supposed to be equality before the law. Trial by jury was introduced for serious criminal offenses. Alexander also reformed the military, reducing duty from twenty-five years to six and people from all classes were obliged to serve. Corporal punishment was abolished for soldiers and an effort was made to improve the professionalism of the officer

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