Notes for Alexander II (1855–1881) - IB | RevisionDojo
Alexander II (1855–1881) Notes
Alexander II became the tsar of Russia in 1855, succeeding his father, Nicholas I, who died in March of that year. He reigned from 1855 until his assassination in 1881.
Alexander II inherited the throne during the Crimean War, a conflict that exposed the weaknesses of the Russian military and administration.
His reign was marked by a series of reforms aimed at modernizing Russia, most notably the emancipation of the serfs in 1861.
Emancipation of the serfs (1861): Serfs were freed and could marry, own property, and trade. However, they had to make long-term redemption payments for land, which kept many poor.
Nobles’ reaction: Landowners were unhappy too, because they lost power over peasants and much of their land was redistributed.
Local government (Zemstvos): Created in 1864, these elected councils improved schools, roads, and health care, but nobles still dominated them.
Judicial reforms (1864): New courts with juries and trained judges replaced the old, unfair system. Courts were more independent but still limited in political cases.
Military reforms (1874): Military service was reduced from 25 years to 6 years, with better training and modern weapons. This made the army more professional.
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Note
Alexander II ascended to the Russian throne in 1855 during the Crimean War, a conflict that exposed the weaknesses of the Russian military and administration. His reign marked a turning point in Russian history, as he recognized the urgent need for reform.
The Crimean War (1853-1856) was a major conflict between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and Sardinia.
Russia's defeat highlighted its technological and organizational backwardness compared to Western powers.
Alexander II inherited a vast but inefficient empire, with a rigid social structure and outdated institutions.
Analogy
Think of Russia at this time as a giant, old machine that hadn't been updated in decades - it still worked, but was slow, inefficient, and prone to breaking down.
Note
The Crimean War was the first major conflict to be extensively covered by journalists and photographers, bringing the realities of war to the public in unprecedented ways.
