Explain How Far Had Russia Progressed From 1855 To 1900?
How far had Russia progressed from 1855 to 1900?
Progress in Russia was slow until the reign of Alexander ll. He was known as the Tsar liberator for his radical reform during his reign from 1855 to 1881. His most important reform was the emancipation of the serfs. When Alexander lll became Tsar it was the end of any political reform. His reign was known for being one of political repression.
Alexander ll recognized as the Tsar liberator was known mostly for the emancipation of the serfs. Serfs were the biggest social problem Russia faced as 80% of the population were serfs or state peasants. Serfdom had existed elsewhere in Europe in the 19th century but 1885 Russia was the only major power which kept serfdom. Eventually in 1861 Alexander ll issued an imperial decree which abolished serfdom. This was a huge step for Russia in the 19th century as it showed that they trying to do something about their progression in time. However this did not mean that former serfs were …show more content…
completely free. Former serfs had to pay redemption payments to the Russian government- for forty nine years. Serfs also had to stay in mirs where land was held collectively. If a peasant wanted to leave the mirs they would have to get permission from the elders. These developments greatly impeded the modernisation of Russia’s agriculture. The system also obstructed the movement of people into towns impending the development of industry. This was only the start of the progression Russia would see over the next 26 years of Alexander ll’s reign.
Another way in which Russia progressed was the introduction of trial by jury. This meant that ordinary Russians participated in the dispensation of justice, whereas before 1870 justice had been the preserve of the Tsars officials. Alexander ll also introduced the first form of elective government in the Russian history, although the electorate was limited to the educated and the wealthy. The Zemstva powers were limited to functions such as elementary education and road building, but their powers were extended in 1870 to towns and cities. This showed progress as Russia saw an increase of radical political opposition. This showed that Russia was progressing as there was another political party that could possibly take over the Tsar. The local governments were also a sign of progress as it showed that the Tsar did not have complete control and that normal people could actually make decisions on their local area.
In 1881 Alexander lll became Tsar after the assassination of his farther, Alexander ll. Alexander lll reign was known for being one of a political repression. Alexander lll thought that all political reform should be repressed. By the end of his reign Alexander lll had clearly re-established the autocratic power of the Tsar. This was based on the support from the Russian Orthodox Church. The whole social and political system was underpinned by the power of the Okhrana, which was backed by the Russian army. The Okhrana infiltrated extremist groups, arrested suspects and ran its own prison. Political freedom and been repressed and ethnic and religious minorities were undermined. This showed how Russia’s progress went backwards and that the political reforms made by Alexander ll had been repressed.
During Alexander lll reign he had exiled many of the Tsars opposition to Siberia.
Many of the opposition fled to other European countries where they continued to plot against the Tsar. This shows how Alexander lll had caused Russia to go back in progress politically by exiling all of their possible contenders. This allowed the Tsar to have much more control over Russia much like before Alexander ll reign. The persecution of Jews caused many to join radical parties and organisations. This shows us how there was not even the slightest bit of democracy within Russia, and how Alexander lll had caused Russia to go back in progress. Another major problem in Russia was the growing population of peasants. This caused famines within Russia in 1892 and 1893. This famine was a cause of many peasants death which shows how Russia did not have the money or resources to keep up with their growing population. This showed a lack in progress as they could not even support their country’s people with
food.
Overall I think that Russia had progressed from 1855 – 1900. The emancipation of the serfs showed a huge step for Russia as they were the last major power in Europe who still had serfs. The political reforms made by Alexander ll showed another step in progress as it created the first real opponent of the Tsar. However Russia did take steps back during Alexander lll’s reign in progress, but the emancipation of the serfs compensated for the changes he made to Russia.
Progress in Russia was slow until the reign of Alexander ll. He was known as the Tsar liberator for his radical reform during his reign from 1855 to 1881. His most important reform was the emancipation of the serfs. When Alexander lll became Tsar it was the end of any political reform. His reign was known for being one of political repression.
Alexander ll recognized as the Tsar liberator was known mostly for the emancipation of the serfs. Serfs were the biggest social problem Russia faced as 80% of the population were serfs or state peasants. Serfdom had existed elsewhere in Europe in the 19th century but 1885 Russia was the only major power which kept serfdom. Eventually in 1861 Alexander ll issued an imperial decree which abolished serfdom. This was a huge step for Russia in the 19th century as it showed that they trying to do something about their progression in time. However this did not mean that former serfs were …show more content…
completely free. Former serfs had to pay redemption payments to the Russian government- for forty nine years. Serfs also had to stay in mirs where land was held collectively. If a peasant wanted to leave the mirs they would have to get permission from the elders. These developments greatly impeded the modernisation of Russia’s agriculture. The system also obstructed the movement of people into towns impending the development of industry. This was only the start of the progression Russia would see over the next 26 years of Alexander ll’s reign.
Another way in which Russia progressed was the introduction of trial by jury. This meant that ordinary Russians participated in the dispensation of justice, whereas before 1870 justice had been the preserve of the Tsars officials. Alexander ll also introduced the first form of elective government in the Russian history, although the electorate was limited to the educated and the wealthy. The Zemstva powers were limited to functions such as elementary education and road building, but their powers were extended in 1870 to towns and cities. This showed progress as Russia saw an increase of radical political opposition. This showed that Russia was progressing as there was another political party that could possibly take over the Tsar. The local governments were also a sign of progress as it showed that the Tsar did not have complete control and that normal people could actually make decisions on their local area.
In 1881 Alexander lll became Tsar after the assassination of his farther, Alexander ll. Alexander lll reign was known for being one of a political repression. Alexander lll thought that all political reform should be repressed. By the end of his reign Alexander lll had clearly re-established the autocratic power of the Tsar. This was based on the support from the Russian Orthodox Church. The whole social and political system was underpinned by the power of the Okhrana, which was backed by the Russian army. The Okhrana infiltrated extremist groups, arrested suspects and ran its own prison. Political freedom and been repressed and ethnic and religious minorities were undermined. This showed how Russia’s progress went backwards and that the political reforms made by Alexander ll had been repressed.
During Alexander lll reign he had exiled many of the Tsars opposition to Siberia.
Many of the opposition fled to other European countries where they continued to plot against the Tsar. This shows how Alexander lll had caused Russia to go back in progress politically by exiling all of their possible contenders. This allowed the Tsar to have much more control over Russia much like before Alexander ll reign. The persecution of Jews caused many to join radical parties and organisations. This shows us how there was not even the slightest bit of democracy within Russia, and how Alexander lll had caused Russia to go back in progress. Another major problem in Russia was the growing population of peasants. This caused famines within Russia in 1892 and 1893. This famine was a cause of many peasants death which shows how Russia did not have the money or resources to keep up with their growing population. This showed a lack in progress as they could not even support their country’s people with
food.
Overall I think that Russia had progressed from 1855 – 1900. The emancipation of the serfs showed a huge step for Russia as they were the last major power in Europe who still had serfs. The political reforms made by Alexander ll showed another step in progress as it created the first real opponent of the Tsar. However Russia did take steps back during Alexander lll’s reign in progress, but the emancipation of the serfs compensated for the changes he made to Russia.