Summary Question 1 from Textbook

Explain Why Alexander II Decided To Embark on a Series of Reforms When He Came to Power in 1855

When looking at Alexander II's motivation to reform Russian society when he came to power, four main interlinking reasons can be highlighted.

The first was reaction to defeat in the Crimean War (1853-1856). Russia's defeat in the war had shown her backwardness when compared to her western opponents, Britain and France, and threatened her position as a 'Great Power'. During the war, for example, there were not enough weapons for the troops and poor discipline. There was also no transport or communication infrastructure, both of which, again, hampered the military. The war had also disrupted Russian exports and provoked peasant uprisings. Military leaders, such as Milyutin, in particular claimed that the problem lie in the use of serf conscripts, and argued for a modernised army.

Secondly, Alexander himself believed that limited reforms and freedoms could simultaneously stimulate the Russian economy and maintain autocracy. Alexander was not a liberal reformer, and believed that it was better to reform society 'from above' than have it reformed 'from below' by peasant revolutionaries. Alexander believed that if serfdom could be reformed and a communication infrastructure developed, then it would not only develop Russia economically, it would also strengthen his position.

Thirdly, linked with this, Alexander realised that it was becoming more difficult to maintain the level of social control and repression his father, Nicholas I, had enforced. Social unrest was building both among the Intelligentsia and the peasants, both of whom were clamouring for social change. Intellectuals, for example, pushed for reform, with some suggesting that Russia should reject its traditions and become increasingly western. Others pushed for a 'Russian solution' to her problems. Equally, nobles were finding their incomes falling through their dependency on peasant labour, and needed to be prompted to engage in other ventures.

Fourthly, Alexander believed that serfdom was a handicap to economic development. Serfdom not only stymied the development of industrialization (by, for example, restricting peasant movement) but also gave peasants no incentive to innovate as all the profits would be taken by landowners. He also knew that serfdom was becoming increasingly inefficient and was unable to both feed Russia's growing population and produce sufficient surplus. in addition, landowners were finding themselves in increasing debt, being unable to sell their grain to modernised western states who could undercut them on price.

To sum up, Alexander was not motivated to reform by liberal sentiments, but by the desire to maintain the status quo and Russia's place as a 'Great Power', while simultaneously reforming and stimulating the economy. Reacting to a combination of military, economic and political considerations, He preferred that this change come 'from above' rather than 'from below'.