LO: Does Alexander II deserve the Title “Tsar Liberator”? Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to… Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A*

Are you familiar with the tale of Pandora’s box? LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* Task: Once you have written Your title and date… Are you familiar with the tale of Pandora’s box? Why might Russia in 1855 be described as a “Pandora’s Box”?

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* Over the period of the course, you will be expected to know, and examine, Three key areas… Russian Government (The exploration of ideology; government structures; institutions and methods of control, for example the army, secret police, censorship and propaganda) Russian Economy (The exploration of agriculture and industrialisation and the various policies used within these areas. This also includes working conditions, within factories, for example ) Russian Society (The exploration of, amongst other things, religion, living conditions, role of the family (in particular women), education and access to culture)

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* Say hello to… Alexander II 1855-1881 Came to throne aged 35 Experienced and trained for the Job. Ran committees on Serfdom and Railways. Was thoughtful and sensitive, had Less presence than his father Nicholas I. “War is the locomotive of History” (Trotsky). Patriotic, Religious, Conservative, Autocract.

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* His first actions focused on the economy. The Key Problems - Slavophiles v Westernisers. - 85% population worked on land. - 712 revolts 1826-1854. - Landowners had little surplus left After feeding their serfs. “The existing order of serfdom cannot Remain unchanged. It is better to abolish Serfdom from above than to wait for the Time when it will begin to abolish itself From below” Alexander II, April 1856 Emancipation of the Serfs 19th Feb 1861 Serfs given personal freedoms. Given ownership of their property. Landlords retained legal ownership of estate land. - Govt compensated for land. Peasants charged 49 year “Redemption Dues”. Didn’t apply to domestic serfs. Peasant had to negotiate with Landlord.

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* However Government still retained a strong hand Chernyshevsky A literary radical! “What is to be Done?” (1862) Argued wholesale reform of political and economic base needed. Nihilism “Nothing-ism” Belief that rejects all political or religious authority and current ideas, in favour of the individual. Advocated by Pisarev and Turgenev, looked to question whole of society. Populism Peasantry need re-education. 1874-75 the Narodniks head to the countryside! Land and Liberty formed. Terrorism - Chorny Peredyel/Black Partition (Plekhanov and Axelrod) - Narodnaya Volya/People’s Will (Mikhailov)

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* Society was also reformed The Army Modernizing Russia's army was seen as crucial. Liberal Minister of War, Dmitri Milyutin Reduced the length of service for conscripts from 25 years To 6 years in service (and 9 years in reserve) Introducing universal military service for all males over 20  Professional Training. Education Zemstva and Duma given responsibility “Free Schools” set up University Regulations 1863 gave Autonomy. Scholarships set up. Could access texts and ideology from Abroad. 1872 first courses for women. Dmitri Tolstoy reactionary appointment. Law. Juries and Fair trials introduced for the first time. Zemstvos given control over local amenities.

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* However... - Relaxation of rule in Poland led to mass demonstrations. Educational reforms led to spread of radical doctrines amongst Russians. - Peasants “Betrayed” (Lynch) Pressure from Pan Slavists in wake of Army Reforms - Shot at, blown up, train derailed . Death in 1881. - “Peoples Will”

Task: You are going to split into pairs, you will have LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A* So now we need to assess his policies. Task: You are going to split into pairs, you will have 20 minutes to assess in detail a particular aspect of Alexander's reign. You will then split and share your findings with the other groups. Finally you will need to report back to your partner! Key issues - Was this overall reforming or reactionary? - Differences across period of reign? - Short term v Long term impact. - How far was Alexander directly involved in this?

LO: Does Alexander II deserve The title “Tsar Liberator”? Describe the reign of Alexander II E-D Explain the origins of his actions C-B Judge how far he was a reformer A-A*