Luciana Machado
27.10.04
IB History - yr2
Why and with what results did Alexander II abolish serfdom in Russia?
The emancipation of the serfs by Alexander II in 1861 was the inevitable result of a rising tide of liberalism in Russia, supported by the realization that Russia's economic needs were incompatible with the system, and driven by the fear that that without reform the state itself could be shattered by revolution. Russia's defeat in the Crimean war was also a major influencing factor as "Defeat in the Crimean war laid bare Russia's weakness, so well conceived reforms were set in train and permitted the birth of politics... Russian tsars had learned little during the century: at its end, they were still claiming to be absolute rulers."
Alexander II came into power in 1855, as the successor of Nicholas I. He started his reign in a difficult position, as the defeat of the Crimean war in 1854 cast a shadow over the beginning of his reign. The peace treaty of Paris finally drew a conclusion to the war in 1856, Russia ultimately being defeated by Britain and France, leaving the Russian state feeling weak and vulnerable. The Russian war effort had been characterized by the bravery of the soldiers, but poor military performance and incompetence in the military leadership. Nevertheless, the new reign opened with a blaze of hope. Many were optimistic about the new power in Russia. As a child, Alexander had been given a very liberal education. His main tutor had been V.A. Zhukovsky, a poet and a humanist. Zhukovsky's teachings were said to have "exercised a liberal influence over his young pupil until manhood". Alexander's tutors were said to be, in general, "more enlightened and imaginative than the mood of the times". Their influence played a key role into Alexander's decision to emancipate the serfs, as his liberal approach in the first half of his reign was the result of his tutors' influence and the education he had been given. This focused more on the arts and literature than military strength and rule - his father's preferred influence.
On the other hand, although Alexander was good friends, and even protector of some of the "wild critics of the regime", and was also a critic himself, he stayed constantly loyal to the autocracy. This is where Alexander's conservative side becomes important and must be considered. His famous, striking statement "it is better to abolish serfdom from above rather than await the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below" shows that Alexander knew serfdom posed a threat to his government. The Tsar feared a revolution from the serfs; however, he also wanted to protect the autocracy. Instead of emancipating from the position of "tsar liberator", he did it from the decisively conservative and selfish stance of not wanting anything to interfere with or even overthrow the autocracy, or jeopardize his position and the divine rights of the tsar. A revolution would have meant giving up the tsar's unique autonomous control of the country, which was not something Alexander was prepared to do. After extensive tours of Russia, often stopping in desolate little villages, Alexander knew what the situation was like for those swamped by poverty. He was sympathetic and could empathize with the sufferers: "The boy himself shrank from violence and was easily moved to pity by the sight of misery." But Alexander was still prepared to do anything to appease the masses to avoid revolution.
27.10.04
IB History - yr2
Why and with what results did Alexander II abolish serfdom in Russia?
The emancipation of the serfs by Alexander II in 1861 was the inevitable result of a rising tide of liberalism in Russia, supported by the realization that Russia's economic needs were incompatible with the system, and driven by the fear that that without reform the state itself could be shattered by revolution. Russia's defeat in the Crimean war was also a major influencing factor as "Defeat in the Crimean war laid bare Russia's weakness, so well conceived reforms were set in train and permitted the birth of politics... Russian tsars had learned little during the century: at its end, they were still claiming to be absolute rulers."
Alexander II came into power in 1855, as the successor of Nicholas I. He started his reign in a difficult position, as the defeat of the Crimean war in 1854 cast a shadow over the beginning of his reign. The peace treaty of Paris finally drew a conclusion to the war in 1856, Russia ultimately being defeated by Britain and France, leaving the Russian state feeling weak and vulnerable. The Russian war effort had been characterized by the bravery of the soldiers, but poor military performance and incompetence in the military leadership. Nevertheless, the new reign opened with a blaze of hope. Many were optimistic about the new power in Russia. As a child, Alexander had been given a very liberal education. His main tutor had been V.A. Zhukovsky, a poet and a humanist. Zhukovsky's teachings were said to have "exercised a liberal influence over his young pupil until manhood". Alexander's tutors were said to be, in general, "more enlightened and imaginative than the mood of the times". Their influence played a key role into Alexander's decision to emancipate the serfs, as his liberal approach in the first half of his reign was the result of his tutors' influence and the education he had been given. This focused more on the arts and literature than military strength and rule - his father's preferred influence.
On the other hand, although Alexander was good friends, and even protector of some of the "wild critics of the regime", and was also a critic himself, he stayed constantly loyal to the autocracy. This is where Alexander's conservative side becomes important and must be considered. His famous, striking statement "it is better to abolish serfdom from above rather than await the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below" shows that Alexander knew serfdom posed a threat to his government. The Tsar feared a revolution from the serfs; however, he also wanted to protect the autocracy. Instead of emancipating from the position of "tsar liberator", he did it from the decisively conservative and selfish stance of not wanting anything to interfere with or even overthrow the autocracy, or jeopardize his position and the divine rights of the tsar. A revolution would have meant giving up the tsar's unique autonomous control of the country, which was not something Alexander was prepared to do. After extensive tours of Russia, often stopping in desolate little villages, Alexander knew what the situation was like for those swamped by poverty. He was sympathetic and could empathize with the sufferers: "The boy himself shrank from violence and was easily moved to pity by the sight of misery." But Alexander was still prepared to do anything to appease the masses to avoid revolution.
