1. Alexander III the return to Reaction
The first thing a traveller sees on arriving at St. Petersburg is what the Russians call "the ugliest statue in the world." It is a figure of Alexander the Third, on horseback. The horse has a very short tail, and the man is fat and hideous. A soldier is always on guard within the enclosure, I suppose to see that no one takes the statue away.
Fenn, R J. An Englishman in Russia. Notes of a trip made in 1910. 
This is not a legendary crowned hero, nor a rider striving to vast expanses but a man who presses - crushes down his steed with his bulky form. A deserved monument to a monarch who despised his own nation enough to bridle all its initiatives in his short-sighted, obstinate obsession with selfish dynastic interests.
Alexander Benois, Diary
On the Square, there stands a chest of drawers,
On the chest, there stands a hippopotamus,
On the hippopotamus, there sits a bum.
Street poem mocking the statue after it was unveiled in 1909
What does the monument to Alexander II suggest about him as a Tsar?

2. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
1856: Results of defeat not too bad for Russia, but failure to mobilise fully and poor equipment show backwardness
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

3. European History – T. A. Morris, timeline feedback
European History – T.A. Morris, timeline feedback. What does each pic represent, is it an event that prolonged or challenged Tsarism
1861: Emancipation edicts, serfs freed over 2 years without land – bought with redemption payments. Rural problems continue, no surpluses and debt burden heavier.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

4. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
New Zemstvos set up – replaces Nobles as local authority. Seen by Alex II as a prop to autocracy. Nobility dominate (74%) of zemstvo seats.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

5. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…
1865 Legal reforms, judges independent of government, freedom of speech in courts, radical changes.

6. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
1860s army reforms – Milyutin, reduces life sentence for conscripts from 25 to 6 years. Universal military service from 1874 onwards. No more corporal punishment in army.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

7. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…
1862: Radical opposition grows. Chernyshevsky argument only revolution will solve the problems of Tsarism. Challenged by Pisarev argument for bottom up reform.

8. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
Russian
1863: Polish rebellion breaks out in response to ongoing demands for independence and greater reforms. Ends in 1864 with peasants given land without payments. Tsar saw as ingratitude…russify them!!!
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

9. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
University reforms, more autonomy after 1863 University statute. European lectures allowed.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

10. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
Populism in the 1870s – 1874/5 ‘To the people’ student campaign to educate peasants is a failure. Narodniki (students) arrested and informed on by peasants. But leads to first labour unions in 1875.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

11. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
1879: Following split in the Land and Liberty movement the People’s Will launch a series of assassination attempts.
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

12. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
1880s: Alexander II lost much support due to his lack of decision over where to go – reform or reaction, means he alienates both liberals and conservatives.
Repression
Reform
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

13. A brief history of Russia before Alexander III
1881: Loris – Melikov reforms, potential for an elected national assembly of Zemstvo representatives and town councils. But not approved and Tsar killed…
Prolongs / Challenges Tsarist Rule because…

14. Welcome to Alexander, the bum on the hippo
Lessons learnt from his father’s reign:
Priorities:
Areas to reform: