How Did Alexander II Lead To The Downfall Of The Tsardom

The introduction of industrialism into Russia was not a wise move for the survival of the Tsardom because it eventually led to the end of the tsar, but it was a wise move for Russia. Alexander II, the Russian Tsar from 1855 to 1881, introduced the beginnings of industrialization into Russia. Although the reforms that Alexander made were small, they will spark the rise of the third greatest industrial power in the World. This was a great move for bettering Russia, but will lead to the downfall of the tsar because of the inevitable opposition towards future tsars. Opposition was created during the emancipation of the surfs, universal military conscription, and the creation of a new judicial system. All seemed great on the surface, but proved to create hatred and opposition towards the tsar from all social classes. Although a lot of the reforms that Alexander made bettered Russia, they were not wise for the survival of the tsar, and led to the fall of the tsardom under Nicholas II.
Russia was one of the last European “powerhouses” to even think about industrializing, and it was not until a devastating loss that Alexander …show more content…
After the devastating, embarrassing loss of the Crimean war, Alexander realized he needed to do something to improve his army. The old army was composed of serf recruits, and now that serfs were emancipated Alexander needed a new way to build a successful army. January 1, 1874 Alexander introduced the universal draft. This ended only tax paying estates, that being the peasants and the bourgeoisie, to be apart of the army. Conscription was another reform that included equality of all estates. Now every social class had to serve in Russia’s army. The military reforms not only included conscription but an outlaw on corporal punishment. This meant peasants and the middle class men who participated in the military could no longer be physically