Imperial+Russia


 * Imperial Russia**

I. Government A. Tsar Alexander II 1. Came to power during the Crimean War. 2. Wanted to reform the Russian System. II. Conservatism A. Serfdom 1. the system of subjugation of peasants to their landlords and the land was corrupt. 2. These serfs were uneducated and could not deal with complex weapons of war; therefore, requiring the change after the dissatisfaction that came with the Crimean B. Assassination 1. Alexander II was killed by a group of radicals known as the People's Will. 2. His successor, Alexander III, returned to the traditional forms of repression. III. Liberal voices A. grew stronger and called for representation. 1. Alexander II instituted zemstvos (local assemblies with limited self-government), which were disrupted by bureaucrats. 2. Alexander Herzen called for "Land and Freedom". B. Peasants were finally released. 1. They were allowed some basic rights, (own land, marry, bring lawsuits) 2. However, the land they were given was usually of the poorest quality. 3. The land purchased by the government was now bound to them, forcing them to stay there and work to repay their debt. Serfs are technically freed but are still bound to the land. Alexander II attempts some limited reforms but ultimately is killed before they can be far reaching. These actions and uneasiness set the stage for Nicholas II and the issues that plague Imperial Russia until the Russian Revolution Alexander II Zemstvos Alexander Herzen ("Land and Freedom")
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