Revision - Session 2 Russia Reform

Russia in 1855 Largest of the Great Powers in the 19th C Largest of the Great Powers in the 19th C 18th C Russian rulers tried to make it more Westernised 18th C Russian rulers tried to make it more Westernised 19thC this trend was reversed 19thC this trend was reversed Russians were proud of being Slavs (therefore different from other Europeans) Russians were proud of being Slavs (therefore different from other Europeans) Pan-Slav movement developed Pan-Slav movement developed

Russia in 1855 Government of Russia in the hands of the Tsar Government of Russia in the hands of the Tsar He was an autocrat with complete power He was an autocrat with complete power No parliament and no criticism No parliament and no criticism If there were revolts the Tsar used force to crush them If there were revolts the Tsar used force to crush them He could use army or secret police He could use army or secret police He favoured the use of Cossacks (calvary units) He favoured the use of Cossacks (calvary units)

Russia in 1855 Russia was a very backward country Russia was a very backward country Little industry Little industry Transport was slow – few railways Transport was slow – few railways Most important industry = agriculture Most important industry = agriculture Plenty of people so no adoption of new methods Plenty of people so no adoption of new methods Russian peasants = serfs Russian peasants = serfs They had small plots of land for themselves but had to farm for their landlords and pay rents and taxes They had small plots of land for themselves but had to farm for their landlords and pay rents and taxes Serfs were very poor and had little freedom Serfs were very poor and had little freedom Landlords were often very rich Landlords were often very rich

Russia in 1855 In 1854 Russia had gone to war with Britain and France in the Crimea In 1854 Russia had gone to war with Britain and France in the Crimea Russia lost 1855 as could not supply troops at Sevastopol Russia lost 1855 as could not supply troops at Sevastopol Br and Fr could supply troops by sea Br and Fr could supply troops by sea Russia bad roads and railways Russia bad roads and railways Treaty of Paris 1856 Russia had to give up land on west coast of Black Sea and withdraw all warships from Black Sea Treaty of Paris 1856 Russia had to give up land on west coast of Black Sea and withdraw all warships from Black Sea Alexander II became Tsar in 1855 and had many problems to address. He believed in reform Alexander II became Tsar in 1855 and had many problems to address. He believed in reform

Emancipation of Serfs 1856 Alex II annouces he will abolish serfdom 1856 Alex II annouces he will abolish serfdom Appeals to landlords for their agreement Appeals to landlords for their agreement Offered compensation in return Offered compensation in return Most are opposed to it as they don’t think compensation from government will be enough Most are opposed to it as they don’t think compensation from government will be enough Plus some landlords are in debt and they don’t want to lose their financial assets (i.e land) Plus some landlords are in debt and they don’t want to lose their financial assets (i.e land)

Emancipation of Serfs Alex set up committees of noblemen to plan the changes and work out compensation etc. Alex set up committees of noblemen to plan the changes and work out compensation etc. Figures were worked out – Landlords would be paid compensation (80%) from the government and serfs would be freed Figures were worked out – Landlords would be paid compensation (80%) from the government and serfs would be freed Edict of Emancipation 1861 Edict of Emancipation 1861

Emancipation of Serfs BUT… most peasants were very unhappy BUT… most peasants were very unhappy They were able to marry, trade, own property, take cases to court but had expected to be handed over all the land in the village and got very little They were able to marry, trade, own property, take cases to court but had expected to be handed over all the land in the village and got very little Peasants were given the plots of land they already farmed on Peasants were given the plots of land they already farmed on The rest was kept by the landowners The rest was kept by the landowners

Emancipation of Serfs Peasants had to repay the government for cost of compensation Peasants had to repay the government for cost of compensation This would last 49 years This would last 49 years Land was NOT given to individuals Land was NOT given to individuals Given to the MIR or commune this controlled crop rotation and collection of taxes and repayments Given to the MIR or commune this controlled crop rotation and collection of taxes and repayments Volost (groups of mirs) held law courts and controlled movement of people Volost (groups of mirs) held law courts and controlled movement of people There were RIOTS in many parts of Russia when these conditions became known There were RIOTS in many parts of Russia when these conditions became known

Emancipation of Serfs Did little to free peasants Did little to free peasants Failed to make a bond between Alex II and the peasants Failed to make a bond between Alex II and the peasants Led to riots Led to riots Made to satisfy the landowners Made to satisfy the landowners In the end it was a mistake because the power lay in the hands of the masses (peasants and workers) In the end it was a mistake because the power lay in the hands of the masses (peasants and workers)

Reform of Local Government January 1864 set up district councils – the Zemstva – each council was made up of 3 sections – rural landowners, urban property owners and peasants. January 1864 set up district councils – the Zemstva – each council was made up of 3 sections – rural landowners, urban property owners and peasants. Representatives from the zemstva met in provincial councils Representatives from the zemstva met in provincial councils The councils looked after road building, education and medical services The councils looked after road building, education and medical services

Reform of Local Goverment In 1870 Town Councils were created with the reform of municipal government In 1870 Town Councils were created with the reform of municipal government Towns were allowed self-government through councils elected by people owning property Towns were allowed self-government through councils elected by people owning property However in both cases – councils were not allowed to communicate with each other and they were kept subordinate to the provincial governor However in both cases – councils were not allowed to communicate with each other and they were kept subordinate to the provincial governor

Reform of Law Courts He set up new courts He set up new courts Used trial by Jury Used trial by Jury Judges were paid salaries Judges were paid salaries Less likely to be bribed Less likely to be bribed

Reform of Army 1874 Army was reformed 1874 Army was reformed Everyone treated equally in terms of recruitment Everyone treated equally in terms of recruitment All conscripts served 6 years in army and 9 in the reserves All conscripts served 6 years in army and 9 in the reserves

The final years of Alexander II Began to be less inclined to introduce reforms Began to be less inclined to introduce reforms Did not want to do away with autocracy Did not want to do away with autocracy Became involved in ideas of Pan Slavism Became involved in ideas of Pan Slavism Thought Russia should protect Slavs in Eastern Europe i.e. Bulgaria Thought Russia should protect Slavs in Eastern Europe i.e. Bulgaria Encouraged expansion of Russia in the East Encouraged expansion of Russia in the East Founded Vladivostok on the Pacific coast Founded Vladivostok on the Pacific coast Too concerned with threats from revolutionary groups Too concerned with threats from revolutionary groups Used secret police called Okhrana to keep law and order Used secret police called Okhrana to keep law and order Killed by terrorist bomb in 1881 Killed by terrorist bomb in 1881

Alexander III Abolished many reforms of his father Abolished many reforms of his father Began a policy of repression Began a policy of repression Began to Russify the provinces Began to Russify the provinces Reign is a step backwards Reign is a step backwards Clung to autocracy rejects democracy Clung to autocracy rejects democracy

Nicholas II Alex III died in 1894 Alex III died in 1894 Nicholas II was sheltered and weak willed Nicholas II was sheltered and weak willed He had no understanding of ordinary Russia He had no understanding of ordinary Russia He took little notice of threat from revolutionary groups He took little notice of threat from revolutionary groups Used even greater force against terrorists Used even greater force against terrorists Any proposals made by zemstva were immediately rejected Any proposals made by zemstva were immediately rejected 1903 there were protests in Russia he took no notice – turned into revolution in there were protests in Russia he took no notice – turned into revolution in 1905

Nicholas II Survived revolution because army remain loyal Survived revolution because army remain loyal October 1905 announces October Manifesto October 1905 announces October Manifesto Probably never intended to keep his promises for a consitution and a parliament Probably never intended to keep his promises for a consitution and a parliament The parliament (Duma) met in 1906 and was closed after 72 days The parliament (Duma) met in 1906 and was closed after 72 days There were 3 more Dumas that met in the next 10 years but each was more tightly controlled and had little real power There were 3 more Dumas that met in the next 10 years but each was more tightly controlled and had little real power Nicholas retained title of Autocrat Nicholas retained title of Autocrat Made laws without Dumas consent Made laws without Dumas consent

Nicholas II No relaxation in the use or power of the Okhrana No relaxation in the use or power of the Okhrana 1906 Peter Stolypin is appointed Prime Minister – he tries to modernise Russia 1906 Peter Stolypin is appointed Prime Minister – he tries to modernise Russia He abolishes the mir land-owning system and in future peasants would be able to own land He abolishes the mir land-owning system and in future peasants would be able to own land Murdered in 1911 and Nicholas II did not continue his policies Murdered in 1911 and Nicholas II did not continue his policies

Nicholas II From 1912 strikes and unrest becomes more common From 1912 strikes and unrest becomes more common Nicholas becomes more unpopular Nicholas becomes more unpopular Growing influence of Rasputin Growing influence of Rasputin Tsar makes himself Commander in Chief of army during First World War Tsar makes himself Commander in Chief of army during First World War

Nicholas II Probably didn’t make more reforms because… Probably didn’t make more reforms because… Russian industry developed a lot from 1910 onwards (particularly railways, iron and steel) Russian industry developed a lot from 1910 onwards (particularly railways, iron and steel) Tsar’s secret police (Okhrana) proved very effective in dealing with radicals and revolutionaries (i.e. Lenin – leader of Bolsheviks - is forced to go into exile) and the other revolutionary groups were quite weak… Tsar’s secret police (Okhrana) proved very effective in dealing with radicals and revolutionaries (i.e. Lenin – leader of Bolsheviks - is forced to go into exile) and the other revolutionary groups were quite weak…