Impact of Alexander II's Reign in Russia
1. “What happened in Russia during the reign of Alexander II (1855-1881) was more of a revolution than many that went by that name elsewhere.” To what extent do you agree with the assertion that Alexander’s policies were revolutionary?
Alexander II felt that reforms were needed in Russia as Russia was weak in its military, industrialization, and as well the fear of peasants to revolt. Through his policies, mainly the Emancipation Act of 1861, Alexander II was known to become “Tsar Liberator”. Many think that his reign was a revolution, where he changed the government system or made a radical change about Russia. However, even though his policies were made to reform, what actually happened was not revolutionary. The first major reform from Alexander II was the Emancipation Act of 1861. This reform gave the serfs the right to marry, to have own property and business. Since the serfs were very poor before and were still poor after the reform, the Mir was formed – a peasant commune where the land was owned commonly. The fact that the serfs now have freedom of speech and equal human rights; they were suppressed once again through the redemption payments. The high redemption fees took 49 years to be completed. Many historians believed that the redemption payments worsen the lives of the serfs and they were still seen as the low class. Even though this reform was seen to be a new course in Russia, the actual purpose of this reform was to maintain and consolidate autocracy and Tsardom. The fact that Alexander II was fearful of peasants’ revolt, he mentioned that “it is better to abolish bondage from above then to wait for the time it will begin to abolish itself from below.” Therefore the Emancipation Act of 1861 was not a revolutionary rather than a reform that would just consolidate the Tsardom.
Moreover, Alexander II formed the zemstvas which were elected districts and provincial assemblies. This was the first form of popular involvement in Russia at this time.
Alexander II felt that reforms were needed in Russia as Russia was weak in its military, industrialization, and as well the fear of peasants to revolt. Through his policies, mainly the Emancipation Act of 1861, Alexander II was known to become “Tsar Liberator”. Many think that his reign was a revolution, where he changed the government system or made a radical change about Russia. However, even though his policies were made to reform, what actually happened was not revolutionary. The first major reform from Alexander II was the Emancipation Act of 1861. This reform gave the serfs the right to marry, to have own property and business. Since the serfs were very poor before and were still poor after the reform, the Mir was formed – a peasant commune where the land was owned commonly. The fact that the serfs now have freedom of speech and equal human rights; they were suppressed once again through the redemption payments. The high redemption fees took 49 years to be completed. Many historians believed that the redemption payments worsen the lives of the serfs and they were still seen as the low class. Even though this reform was seen to be a new course in Russia, the actual purpose of this reform was to maintain and consolidate autocracy and Tsardom. The fact that Alexander II was fearful of peasants’ revolt, he mentioned that “it is better to abolish bondage from above then to wait for the time it will begin to abolish itself from below.” Therefore the Emancipation Act of 1861 was not a revolutionary rather than a reform that would just consolidate the Tsardom.
Moreover, Alexander II formed the zemstvas which were elected districts and provincial assemblies. This was the first form of popular involvement in Russia at this time.