Alexander II decided on a policy of reform for many reasons; from the impact of the Crimean war, the fear of revolutionary activity from below the Tsar, the state of Russia’s economic backwardness as well as the struggle of Slavophile vs Western ideas.
One reason Alexander II would have decided on a policy of reform in Russia would be the impact of the Crimean war. The war and namely the humiliating defeat upon Russia will have been a real turning point for those living in Russia. It brought to light the horrific failings of Russian society, for example the serfs being used as unwilling conscripts which would result in a lack of war effort and evidently a crippling defeat. Also, it highlighted the inadequacy of the Russian transport and communication …show more content…
Russia’s economy had always been based on agriculture with little trade to other countries resulting in a weak economy. Compared to the West, they were very behind- Britain’s industrial revolution had started in 1830 so it was evident Russia needed to move forward and catch up. This backwardness also stemmed from the impact of the Crimean war. Russia could not keep up with the supply and demand for weapons and evidently were left short resulting in another reason for failure. Due to Alexander II’s policy of reform he knew that the serfs would be emancipated and what this would mean for the economy. The compensation given to landowners due to their emancipation would give the landowners new freedom to invest in industrial enterprise and thus help a more money based economy grow. Additionally, Alexander II also would have anticipated the new breed of serf middle class- the Kulaks. The freed serfs were able to buy up land and create a surplus of goods to export and ultimately help build up the economy. Therefore it is evident that another reason Alexander II decided to reform in Russia was that he knew just how much reforming serfdom would aid the economy and start to fast forward Russia’s backward
One reason Alexander II would have decided on a policy of reform in Russia would be the impact of the Crimean war. The war and namely the humiliating defeat upon Russia will have been a real turning point for those living in Russia. It brought to light the horrific failings of Russian society, for example the serfs being used as unwilling conscripts which would result in a lack of war effort and evidently a crippling defeat. Also, it highlighted the inadequacy of the Russian transport and communication …show more content…
Russia’s economy had always been based on agriculture with little trade to other countries resulting in a weak economy. Compared to the West, they were very behind- Britain’s industrial revolution had started in 1830 so it was evident Russia needed to move forward and catch up. This backwardness also stemmed from the impact of the Crimean war. Russia could not keep up with the supply and demand for weapons and evidently were left short resulting in another reason for failure. Due to Alexander II’s policy of reform he knew that the serfs would be emancipated and what this would mean for the economy. The compensation given to landowners due to their emancipation would give the landowners new freedom to invest in industrial enterprise and thus help a more money based economy grow. Additionally, Alexander II also would have anticipated the new breed of serf middle class- the Kulaks. The freed serfs were able to buy up land and create a surplus of goods to export and ultimately help build up the economy. Therefore it is evident that another reason Alexander II decided to reform in Russia was that he knew just how much reforming serfdom would aid the economy and start to fast forward Russia’s backward