Emancipation of the Serfs

Emancipation of the Serfs

What was the Crimean Effect?

The Crimean War acted as a force for change

·  caused the structure of the Russian state to be examined (not capable of competing with modern European powers)

·  pointed that Russia was a backward state

·  change was needed – Alexander II first priority was emancipation (or serfs) – sparked reform

What reasons are given for Alexander II emancipating the serfs?

·  Alexander II felt the condition and structure of the Russian peasantry was a crucial factor in Russia’s weakness

·  Half of the peasants were serfs and peasants

o  Paid most taxes

o  Produced grain for exporting

o  Produced food

o  Were 80% of population

·  serfdom was unable to deliver an increased rate of productivity for population growth

·  if no longer provided nobility with an adequate income to meet their needs in the changing economic climate

·  they were a key factor in domestic production and major source of recruits to the army – need to strengthen

What were the differences between state peasants and serfs?

·  peasants had more freedom than serfs

·  peasants had a large degree of control of their own lives

·  serfs bound to the land – no freedom

What was the central social unit of a serf’s life?

·  The mir (like a council)

·  Mir made all local decisions over land use and distributing of crops

·  Also controlled by the family and noble

·  Made up by representatives

What control existed over the serfs?

·  others (elders) decided when and whom his serfs married

·  land use

·  almost complete control was had over the serf’s life

Why was Alexander II able to introduce emancipation when his predecessors had failed?

·  he used Russia’s defeat in Crimean War to underline the need for change

·  the activities of the intellectuals had created an intellectual climate where change was seen as positive and progressive

·  he used growing unrest of serfs to fuel fears of a revolution

·  he was prepared to put the full weight of his autocratic power behind emancipation (through the nobility)

What were the results of emancipation?

·  serfs were free and to receive land

·  state paid noble compensation, repaid by serfs

·  Mir established as a self-government

·  However, peasants hated the decree

o  Redemption payments too high

o  Mir acted as a brake on new farm methods

o  Industrial base didn’t expand to attract landless peasants

o  Land apportioned unfairly and often took too long

·  hastened demise of nobility as now they did not have enough money

·  new tensions introduced into Russian society without achieving the central aim of the reform

What conclusions can one draw regarding Pipes’ observation “too cautious, too little, too late”?

·  dismiss “too late” as Alexander II could hardly have acted sooner

·  “too little” – perhaps, as the Mir needed to be broken down