Alexander Ii´s reforms Assessment

Rise of Intellectuals: the turning point of 1866 ( Reaction) The rise of critical thinking; assassinations, an attempt on A II´s life→ made A II more critical on the liberal approach In 1866 The Minister of Education Golvonin replaced by Dimitri Tolstoy ( conservative and Orthodox approach): - reduced the power of zemstva on education - restored the Church´s role in village education - classical curriculum instead of critical thinking -from 1871 only students from traditional high schools could go on to universities - censorship was tightened; no discussion on dangerous topics ( criticism on A II..) Other liberal ministers also replaced by conservatives Power of zemstva was restricted by limiting the amount of money they could raise in taxation

Many students went abroad Public education still expanded throughout A II´s period ( but the approach was more traditional) After the Russo-Turkish war 1877-78 A II´s advisor Loris-Melikov proposed measures included releasing political prisoners, relaxing censorship, tax relaxation, lifting restrictions on Zemstva.. BUT nothing of these came into existence. SO EVEN AT THIS STAGE A II HAD NOT ABANDONED ALL THOUGHTS OF REFORM!!

INTERPRETATIONS Tsar Liberator (Boris Chicherin, a contemporary ) There were limitations, but still reforms stimulated economic growth and social movement ( Walter Kirschner, 1990´s) A II´s main motive: to preserve autocracy and to make Russia´s military strong ( Alfred Rieber , 2000) A II ´s character was flawed his approach on reforms was inconsistent; limited understanding of the impact of the reforms ( David Saunders, 1992) A II´s failure was based on his unwillingness to get rid of autocracy/ he tried to make an unrealistic compromise between autocracy and liberal constitutional system ( Hugh Seton-Watson, 1952) A II proved to be a disappointing liberal and an inefficient autocrat ( Werner Mosse, 1995)