Imperial Russia Essay Questions
To what extent do you agree that Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator? p3
The reforms of Alexander II were mainly aimed at preserving Russian autocracy. Discuss. p7
How far were the reforms of Alexander III a reaction to the reign of Alexander II? p11
Discuss the view that the reforms of Alexander II had more failures than successes. p15
To what extent did the reforms of Alexander II change Russian society by 1881? p22
To what extent had Russia’s economy been modernized by 1914 under Alexander III and
Nicholas II? p29
In the years 1894-1914 opposition movements achieved little. p31
To what extent did Nicholas II uphold his pledge to maintain the principle of autocracy from
1894-1914? p35
Evaluate the effectiveness of Stolypin’s policies in stabilising Russia after the 1905
Revolution. p39
Discuss the causes and consequences of the 1905 Revolution. p43
To what extent were the policies of Nicholas II (1894–1917) the main cause of the
February/March Revolution in Russia? p49
Compare and contrast the causes of the 1905 and February March Revolutions in Russia.
p52
“The causes of the October/November Revolution were the same as those of the
February/March Revolution.” Discuss. p57
Evaluate the reasons for the overthrow of the Provisional Government in
October/November 1917. p63
To what extent was the victory of the Bolsheviks in the Civil War due to the weakness of
their opponents? p66
“Lenin was able to consolidate power by 1924 because of his use of force.” To what extent
do you agree with this statement? p69
The Introduction of the NEP ensured the survival of the Bolshevik regime. Discuss. p73
“The Bolshevik seizure of power was not based on widespread popular support.” To what
extent do you agree with this statement? p77
1
,Compare and contrast the roles of Lenin and Trotsky in Russia between 1917 and 1924. p79
The main aim of Lenin’s foreign policy was to spread revolution. p81
2
,Alexander II and the extent of reform
To what extent do you agree that Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator?
Introduction:
When Alexander II became Tsar in 1855, he quickly warned that serfdom had to be
abolished ‘from above’ and set up a Secret Committee of Ministers to begin the process of
freeing the serfs, a major reform that has often led historians to view him as the ‘Tsar
Liberator’. Upon achieving the abolition of serfdom in 1861, Alexander II also pushed for
various other reforms that supports the view of him as a liberating tsar, such as the reform
of the legal system, the establishment of the Ministry of Finance and a state bank and the
reforms of the army and navy. However, to consider if Alexander II truly was the ‘Tsar
Liberator’, his reforms that aimed to liberate must have had success. In this way, Alexander
II can be seen as a liberating Tsar due to the success of the Emancipation Act, but in the long
term, Alexander II was not prepared to give up his autocratic power to be the true ‘Tsar
Liberator.’
Paragraph 1: Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator – success of the Emancipation Act
In a speech to the nobility in Moscow on 30 March 1856, he made it clear that 'the
existing system of serf owning cannot remain unchanged. It is better to abolish
serfdom from above than to wait for the time when it begins to abolish itself from
below. I ask you, gentlemen, to think of ways of doing this. Pass on my words to the
nobles for consideration.'
Nazimov Rescript laid down principals for emancipation
o Nobles instructed to set up provincial committees to collect evidence and
eventually, to present an emancipation plan to the Tsar
o Some of the regional committees could not agree and sent in majority and
minority reports
In response to debates about emancipation, Alexander II:
o Tightened censorship laws relating to the emancipation question
o Closed the provincial assemblies and put final stages of process in hands of
an Editorial Committee of 38 members
Phase 1 of reform 1861-63
o 23 million serfs given freedom that removed them from the controls
previously exercised by owner – controlled own lives, could marry, travel and
have legal status
o Serfs allowed to keep own cottages and surrounding area
Phase 2 of reform 1863 onwards
o Communal courts replaced nobles’ legal control over peasants
o Arrangements made for distribution of land between landowners and
peasants
Gains:
o Given freedom from noble interference and control of their lives
o End to feudal dues and payments in kind
o Some peasants increased land holding
3
, o Freed from being forced to do military service
o Mir’s power strengthened, represented local autonomy
o Freedom to move both within Russia and emigrate
o New class of rich peasants emerged, the Kulaks
Paragraph 2: Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator – reforms
Whilst Alexander II had no sympathy for radical or liberal ideas, he recognised that
some improvements were necessary to preserve his autocratic system of
government
He took a leading role in reforms associated with the 1860s appointing reform-
minded ministers to carry out his instructions
His recognition of the necessity to introduce reforms was crucial in an
autocracy where the tsar held ultimate power to over-rule opposition from powerful
vested interests
He quickly signalled his intentions by ending restrictions on the most 'dangerous' and
radical groups in the country
He lessened the restrictions on university entrance so that a broader social range of
students could attend, including those from the Raznochintsy
Restrictions on foreign travel were relaxed which opened the way for circulation of
more foreign and Russian language publications by political exiles
The abolition of legal and judicial control of the gentry over their serfs required a
new system of local government. Alexander appointed a Commission in 1860 under
the chairmanship of the liberal reformer Milyutin
o The Commission decided on a system of elected rural local councils, known as
zemstva, at district and provincial level elected by three separate electoral
colleges: for nobles, for townspeople, and peasants
The system established by these reforms made a major contribution to the
modernisation of Russia
o Alexander’s reforms helped promote a climate based on rule of law
o The courts of the Justices of the Peace was one of the most valuable new
judicial institutions
Military reform
o Modern weapons
o Proper training and introduction of military colleges – promotion became
more open
o Administration improved – Military Code reviewed and changes introduced
o System of enlistment rather than serf-based conscription – significant change
by Milyutin
Education reform
o Standing of teaching improved
o Responsibility transferred from Church to zemstvo in 1864
o Schools open to all classes – number of primary schools in countryside grew
from 8000 in 1856 to 23000 in 1880
o Universities given greater independence in 1863
4
To what extent do you agree that Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator? p3
The reforms of Alexander II were mainly aimed at preserving Russian autocracy. Discuss. p7
How far were the reforms of Alexander III a reaction to the reign of Alexander II? p11
Discuss the view that the reforms of Alexander II had more failures than successes. p15
To what extent did the reforms of Alexander II change Russian society by 1881? p22
To what extent had Russia’s economy been modernized by 1914 under Alexander III and
Nicholas II? p29
In the years 1894-1914 opposition movements achieved little. p31
To what extent did Nicholas II uphold his pledge to maintain the principle of autocracy from
1894-1914? p35
Evaluate the effectiveness of Stolypin’s policies in stabilising Russia after the 1905
Revolution. p39
Discuss the causes and consequences of the 1905 Revolution. p43
To what extent were the policies of Nicholas II (1894–1917) the main cause of the
February/March Revolution in Russia? p49
Compare and contrast the causes of the 1905 and February March Revolutions in Russia.
p52
“The causes of the October/November Revolution were the same as those of the
February/March Revolution.” Discuss. p57
Evaluate the reasons for the overthrow of the Provisional Government in
October/November 1917. p63
To what extent was the victory of the Bolsheviks in the Civil War due to the weakness of
their opponents? p66
“Lenin was able to consolidate power by 1924 because of his use of force.” To what extent
do you agree with this statement? p69
The Introduction of the NEP ensured the survival of the Bolshevik regime. Discuss. p73
“The Bolshevik seizure of power was not based on widespread popular support.” To what
extent do you agree with this statement? p77
1
,Compare and contrast the roles of Lenin and Trotsky in Russia between 1917 and 1924. p79
The main aim of Lenin’s foreign policy was to spread revolution. p81
2
,Alexander II and the extent of reform
To what extent do you agree that Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator?
Introduction:
When Alexander II became Tsar in 1855, he quickly warned that serfdom had to be
abolished ‘from above’ and set up a Secret Committee of Ministers to begin the process of
freeing the serfs, a major reform that has often led historians to view him as the ‘Tsar
Liberator’. Upon achieving the abolition of serfdom in 1861, Alexander II also pushed for
various other reforms that supports the view of him as a liberating tsar, such as the reform
of the legal system, the establishment of the Ministry of Finance and a state bank and the
reforms of the army and navy. However, to consider if Alexander II truly was the ‘Tsar
Liberator’, his reforms that aimed to liberate must have had success. In this way, Alexander
II can be seen as a liberating Tsar due to the success of the Emancipation Act, but in the long
term, Alexander II was not prepared to give up his autocratic power to be the true ‘Tsar
Liberator.’
Paragraph 1: Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator – success of the Emancipation Act
In a speech to the nobility in Moscow on 30 March 1856, he made it clear that 'the
existing system of serf owning cannot remain unchanged. It is better to abolish
serfdom from above than to wait for the time when it begins to abolish itself from
below. I ask you, gentlemen, to think of ways of doing this. Pass on my words to the
nobles for consideration.'
Nazimov Rescript laid down principals for emancipation
o Nobles instructed to set up provincial committees to collect evidence and
eventually, to present an emancipation plan to the Tsar
o Some of the regional committees could not agree and sent in majority and
minority reports
In response to debates about emancipation, Alexander II:
o Tightened censorship laws relating to the emancipation question
o Closed the provincial assemblies and put final stages of process in hands of
an Editorial Committee of 38 members
Phase 1 of reform 1861-63
o 23 million serfs given freedom that removed them from the controls
previously exercised by owner – controlled own lives, could marry, travel and
have legal status
o Serfs allowed to keep own cottages and surrounding area
Phase 2 of reform 1863 onwards
o Communal courts replaced nobles’ legal control over peasants
o Arrangements made for distribution of land between landowners and
peasants
Gains:
o Given freedom from noble interference and control of their lives
o End to feudal dues and payments in kind
o Some peasants increased land holding
3
, o Freed from being forced to do military service
o Mir’s power strengthened, represented local autonomy
o Freedom to move both within Russia and emigrate
o New class of rich peasants emerged, the Kulaks
Paragraph 2: Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator – reforms
Whilst Alexander II had no sympathy for radical or liberal ideas, he recognised that
some improvements were necessary to preserve his autocratic system of
government
He took a leading role in reforms associated with the 1860s appointing reform-
minded ministers to carry out his instructions
His recognition of the necessity to introduce reforms was crucial in an
autocracy where the tsar held ultimate power to over-rule opposition from powerful
vested interests
He quickly signalled his intentions by ending restrictions on the most 'dangerous' and
radical groups in the country
He lessened the restrictions on university entrance so that a broader social range of
students could attend, including those from the Raznochintsy
Restrictions on foreign travel were relaxed which opened the way for circulation of
more foreign and Russian language publications by political exiles
The abolition of legal and judicial control of the gentry over their serfs required a
new system of local government. Alexander appointed a Commission in 1860 under
the chairmanship of the liberal reformer Milyutin
o The Commission decided on a system of elected rural local councils, known as
zemstva, at district and provincial level elected by three separate electoral
colleges: for nobles, for townspeople, and peasants
The system established by these reforms made a major contribution to the
modernisation of Russia
o Alexander’s reforms helped promote a climate based on rule of law
o The courts of the Justices of the Peace was one of the most valuable new
judicial institutions
Military reform
o Modern weapons
o Proper training and introduction of military colleges – promotion became
more open
o Administration improved – Military Code reviewed and changes introduced
o System of enlistment rather than serf-based conscription – significant change
by Milyutin
Education reform
o Standing of teaching improved
o Responsibility transferred from Church to zemstvo in 1864
o Schools open to all classes – number of primary schools in countryside grew
from 8000 in 1856 to 23000 in 1880
o Universities given greater independence in 1863
4
