Alexander II as Tsar Liberator

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Recommended: Achievement and failure of Alexander I of Russia

Alexander II as Tsar Liberator

When Alexander the second came to power in 1855, he inherited many of

the problems that augmented from his previous predecessor, Nicholas

the first. This led the tsar to undertake a series of great reforms,

which gave him the charming title of “Liberator”. However, were his

motives clearly to bring change and a better Russia or were there

other motives? Did he expect something in return? After all, for the

sake of autocracy he couldn’t just welcome liberation with arm wide

open, but rather with a wary handshake.

Perhaps the most significant reform was the emancipation of the serfs.

This sought to update the structure of the current serf system and in

turn reverse the fortunes of the failing nobility. As the peasants

made up 80% of Russia it thought to be wise to improve their situation

and as a result this would strengthen Russia as a whole. However, the

results of the emancipation of the serfs did not match its propose.

Peasants actually ended up with around 1/5 less land than before as

they now had to pay for it. They now had to pay direct taxes and land

was never really theirs to privately own. The nobles felt disgruntled

at having to give up 1/3 of their land. Alexander the second didn’t

really get any gratitude from the serfs and lost respects of the

nobility. This level of resentment did not, nevertheless, create a

strong challenge to the autocracy because of the largely uneducated

peasantry. Unrest would die down subsequently in the countryside.

Alexander the second did not fail entirely though. Nobles were

compensated with political power for the reduction of their land. One

must also consider the awful conditions already at the countryside

before reform. The tsar at least made an effort to combat the out-

dated structures.

The tsar also tried to reform the local politics and the economy. The

zenistra (local council) would govern over many issues such as

education. Despite early fast establishments of the council, by 1917

only 43 of the 70 provinces of Russia were converted.

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