Who had the biggest Impact on Russia – Alexander II or Alexander III?

One area that both Alexander II and Alexander III both had a large impact on was education. However like with the release of the serfs and the social reforms, each other cancelled out each others actions. Under Alexander II rule the number of university students was finally allowed raise since 1855 whilst school fees where lowered. Subjects such a philosophy and lectures on European Government where re-liberated. However under Alexander III rule Alexander III appointed I.V. Delanyov as the education minister. He was opposed to "dangerous education" and in 1887 he limited Universities administration. Alexander III wanted to ignore the west and to concentrate on Slav culture and re-banned philosophy and lecture on Europe and it's government. Later in 1887 I.V. Delanyov raised tuition fees in both primary and secondary education. His aim was to reinforce the social classes and to keep the farmers and maids where they belonged and by 1897 over 79% of the population was illiterate. Though the both leaders actions resulted in no real change or impact upon Russia as the results were the same policies before either Alexander II or Alexander III became Tsar, Alexander III policies where the policies that where reinstated after his father death meaning Alexander II reforms and original impact on Russia was only a short term impact again.

After Alexander II death Alexander III also reversed the changes made in Government by his father. He replaced all liberal ministers and helped to strengthen Russian nobility even further. He also revised franchise laws, for example in St. Petersburg's the number of people legally allowed to vote went from 21,000 to just 7,000. Nobility/ wealthy people where the few that could vote. This gave the power to the nobility and helped to strengthen Alexander III place and autocratic ruling. Alexander III father, Alexander II, was also in very strong belief of an autocratic ruling just like the rulers before, and neither where prepared to sacrifice their power. This meant that the revised franchise laws probably had little affect on Russia as it really changed nothing in the way that it was ruled.

Alexander II had a long term impact over was the military. He placed Dmitri Migation in charge of the military, and had very liberal views. Most people at the time saw the military as a reflection of Russian society at the time - nobility well rewarded and received positions of importance and the peasant received severe punishment. Many people say that he humanized the military. He stopped nobility taking all the senior positions and got ride of any loop holes in the system so nobility could not buy their way out or the service time, and after Alexander II death Alexander III did not alter or reverse all changes to the military. This meant that Alexander not only had a big impact but a long term impact on Russia. However, Alexander III did rid the government of all liberal ministers after his fathers death. This must of meant that Dimitri was also replaced which could, in the long run, have an impact on the way that the military was run and controlled thus diminishing Alexander II impact upon the military and Russia.

Policies involving countries under Russian rule and reactions toward Jews changed dramatically under both Alexander II and Alexander III ruling and thus had a impact upon Russia itself and how the people felt and reacted to the Tsar's ruling. As Alexander II was more of a liberator than Alexander III his view and ruling over other countries such as Poland where relaxed during his reign. Poland, for example, had many of its previous liberties restored to them, such as their national language reinstated and the liberty to teach it in schools. The catholic church was also restored in many countries and in Poland Alexander II filled the vacant position of Catholic archbishop of Warsaw. They where also allowed a constitution and parliament. This impact on Russia would mean that Russification and the Slav culture would be diminished. However, under Alexander III ruling many of these countries privileges where taken away from them. Alexander III started to impose Russifaction on countries that had previously been loyal to the Tsar. Finland would had under Alexander II rule been very well treated found themselves very harshly treated. Trade tariffs where imposed and the Russian language introduced to the country and in 1903 the Finish constitution was suspended. This kind of harsh treatment on previously loyal countries would have provoked anger amongst the people and bitterness towards the Tsar. The long term effects or event he short term effects would be violence and demonstration which could lead to a revolution. Something that Alexander II did everything to avoid through his many drastic reforms. Alexander III's changes could mean very large impact on Russia in the long run through the downfall of the Tsar and changes in economy and society. Yet, in the short term Russification may have helped to diminish the "dangerous" aspects the local characteristics and to help strengthen the Tsar ruling and power.

One area that Alexander III alone had a large impact on was the economy and the industry within Russia. Through his reign he developed the railways, joining key industrial areas e.g. Moscow with Kursk, the Black sea to Capian (Baku- Batum railway in 1883) which increased the oil production. One thing that Alexander III did implicated was trade tariffs. The first major raise was in 1877, followed by raises in 1881 and 1882. These tariffs effected the iron industry, raw cotton, pig iron and the coal industry. Alexander III's idea was to encourage people to buy machinery and other product form inside Russia in an attempt to protect Russia's industry and to simulate growth. In 1880-84 coal (poods) production went form 225.4 million to 673.3 million (poods) in 1895. However economical growth fluctuated throughout Alexander III's reign, thus limiting the impact on Russia and Europe, yet this is one area of positive expanse in Russia causing a lasting impact upon Russia.

Alexander III was mainly a regressive leader, going back on many of the reform his father created through his reign. However, a regressive leader still leaves an impact upon Russia, even if it is a negative impact. Alexander III would mould Russia's future much more than Alexander II's ruling but Alexander II was a lot more radical through his reign. His radical reforms and liberal views in the short run probably had a much large impact upon Russia meaning than Alexander II had in the long run, even though many of Alexander II's reforms were reversed by his son, and the gates to Europe closed. Many would argue that though their was much change throughout both reigns the common man was maybe not affected that much and their way of life changed very little. Perhaps it was nobility that was effected the most by Alexander II and Alexander III's ruling and constant changes in policies and attitudes towards Russia and the preservation of Slav culture.