How Much Russia Changed from 1856-1894

How Much Russia Changed from 1856-1894

During the years of 1856 and 1894, Russia changed immensely in its

policies and general state. It went from being an ageing superpower

into a country with internal problems and an ambience of civilian

unrest.

Alexander II realised the need to modernise Russia in order to prolong

their status as a superpower. This stemmed from their defeat in the

Crimean war. To modernise and industrialise Russia, a free workforce

was needed and this could only be made available if people were freed

from the land. This meant that Alexander II would need to somehow

release the serfs from their owner’s land. Another reason for

emancipation was made clear in a quote from Alexander II in March

1856: “It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to await the

time when it will begin to abolish itself from below”. This shows that

emancipation was going to be used as a tool to solve two problems

facing Alexander II. However, in order for emancipation to succeed

another reform had to occur which was land reforms. However, Alexander

II did not want the political system of Russia to change whilst the

economic transformation was occurring. However, the political system

also changed because there was an addition to the local villages. This

was the zemstva and to a more national degree, the duma. However, the

tsar still had supreme power over these structures. Despite Alexander

II’s reforms, Russia still faced a number of problems. Alexander II’s

counter reforms created a problem as this led to the peasants wanting

more than usual. Also, land hunger was a huge problem leading to a

more restless peasant force.

In ...

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...m taking place in Russia, some

aspects of life stayed the same. Generally in Russia, there was some

kind of repression occurring. Although the Duma was meant to represent

the people of Russia, the tsar still had the power to simply over rule

any decisions. Also, the average peasant life was not much better than

pre emancipation as they were crippled by redemption payments.

In conclusion, Russia changed immensely between 1856 and 1894.

When recognised as being an ageing superpower by Alexander II it was

inevitable that some sort of change would take place in Russia in the

hope of modernisation. We can see that the changes were mostly

political and economical. During Alexander III’s reign we can see that

the changes were suppressive although it ultimately led to further

change in the form of revolution in the future.