Freedom of the serfs in Russia was one of the main social changes and achievements of Alexander II. The Great Emancipation Statute, announced in 1861 was aiming to give freedom to the serfs, keeping the satisfaction of nobles and landlords at the same time. However, as it soon turned out, the changes weren’t very efficient and in many aspects the serfdom remained. On one hand, as it was assumed at first, all private serfs were freed and given personal rights; e.g. there was freedom of marriage, possibility to own properties. On the other side, which actually seems much wider, village-people were burdened with many new problems. Still they had to pay to the State so called redemption taxes- for 49 years, or they had to work on lord’s land- each year 30-40 days. Moreover, the lands that were to be given to peasants, usually were divided unfairly. Also, even though villagers were virtually independent, whenever someone wanted to leave the state, they had to obtain mir’s permission; this usually led to the bribes and corruption. Actually, the situation of peasantry hadn’t changed much. The long-time reform seemed unsuccessful, especially for the village-people. The one visible strength of Alexander II in the whole serfs emancipation was the fact that he managed to avoid gentry’s rebels, not like in case of peasants who wanted more rights. However, the rest of the aims, which were about to ensure better life to the most numerous social group in backward Russia, eventually weren’t satisfying.
Army reforms, the first that initiated other changes in Russia, were eventually more successful than emancipation of serfs. Even though all the reforms were subjected into army reforms, actually the changes in Russian army were dependent on the other aspects. Thus, followed by Alexander II’s assumptions, the number of soldiers was increased- by replacing recruitment with conscription (many soldiers were peasants), more efficient equipment and methods of trainings were introduced, people in army were more educated. The Russian army rapidly became more professional, taking benefits also from the industrial and economic development of the country (railways built). Also, the changes in army included shortening time of service for conscripts, followed by service in reserve- this enabled males to lead normal life in non-war period, increasing the satisfaction of military active group of people. All the changes focused on army succeeded and they significantly fulfilled their aim- improving Russian army.
Another area of Alexander II reforms, education, similarly to abolition of serfdom, fulfilled its main aims, however later on it was followed by unexpected consequences, that threatened Tsar’s position, and then even his life. Changes in Russian education first of all meant the increased number of schools and the right to educate for poorest- this decreased the illiteracy among Russian society. Children at schools were learned new subjects, like history; students had opportunities to leave the country. However, the great perspective of educated nation soon showed Alexander II its weaknesses- from Tsar’s point of view. As the nation was becoming more aware, the dissatisfaction with regime was increasing. It followed the development of propaganda, manifests, even tensions between different groups and riots. Education reforms, as they were supposed to, successfully improved the level of knowledge among Russians. Soon, it brought out new problems, like e.g. protests, mainly directed into regime of Tsar, but still- the improvements made by this reform were achieved.
The last significant reform undertaken by Alexander II was related to local governments and legal reforms. Again, most of the Tsar’s assumptions were fulfilled, but in reality he kept his power and could influence any area of regional and national policies. On one hand, the introduced changes were far-reaching: by 1870 there were created new institutions- Zemstva (regional), Dumas (in cities), both were supposed to include representatives of each social group, chosen by people. In courts the hierarchy was increased; also, it became opened to public- judges started being more objective and there was possibility to defend by convicts. In practice, the introduced changes weren’t that effective. As I mentioned, the Tsar kept his power and was influential on the local governments. Moreover, he maintained his full control over police. In courts, the new, objective way of judging encouraged bribes; political issues were judged the same way as before reforms. In case of legal and governmental reforms, some introduced changes were visible but still the influence of the Tsar, coming out from his will to maintain autocratic rule, was the most determining for the policies.
Reforms initiated by Alexander II- to improve Russia’s condition and to overtake developed West, were definitely the most far-reaching than any others of previous tsars. Son of Nicholas I, aware of the backwardness of his country decided to introduce changes which were supposed to increase status and welfare of Russia , keeping his autocratic power at the same time. Each of his reforms had its successes and failures. However, claiming that “the emancipation of serfs was the only genuine reform” made by Alexander II is, at least in my opinion, a misunderstanding. Taking into account, to what extend the aims of singular reforms were achieved, abolishing serfdom for a long time actually didn’t bring any changes, whereas the effects of other reforms were visible among society in a short period of time.
