To what extent is it fair to describe Alexander II as a reformer and Alexander III as a reactionary

Introduction
- Who is Alexander II (the great reformer) and III (reactionary) and how are they traditionally
known
- Transition between Alex II and III: Alex II on the verge of announcing a more democratic
constitution for Russia, promptly cancelled by III, who took brutal revenge on his father’s
killers.
- Both Tsars followed the same policies, even possible to argue that Alex III is a greater
reformer than his father.
- Reform rather than reaction still best way forward for Russia at the time

Main body
Agriculture:
Alex II:
Nickname tsar liberator “Emancipation of the serfs” (1861), serfdom abolished, peasants given the
right to own their land

Alex III:
More reactionary attitude than his father.
Land Captains introduction (Tsarist officials who could overrule the Zemtsva and impose fines and
imprisonment on peasants without trial.)
Massive export of grain to fund industrialization. Vyshnygradsky (minister of finance) “We will go
hungry, but must export”  1891 famine, up to 2 million deaths

Local governments:
Alex II:
Introduction of Zemstva (countryside), and Dumas, (cities)  political representation for ordinary
people.

Alex III:
Restriction of the voting system, handing power to the Ministry of Interior (through Land Captains)

Law and education:

Alex II: (reformer)
Girls allowed to pursue an academic education
3 million man learnt to read
Independent jury trials established Zasulich Case, a known terrorist was acquitted despite the
wishes of the Tsar. (Remarkable example)
Alex III: (reactionary)
Abolishing universities right to appoint their own professors
Censorship law; books by “seditious” authors (Karl Marx, Adam Smith) purged from libraries
After coming to power, issued the “Manifesto on Unshakable Autocracy” rejecting calls for
democracy and reasserting autocracy.
“The voice of God orders us courageously to undertake in deference to Divine intention, the task of
ruling with faith in the strength and rightness of autocratic power”
Loris-Melikov, Abaza and Milyutin (reforming ministers) resigned in protests.
Execution of Five, People’s Will assassins (political organization which conducted
assassinations of government officials in an attempt to overthrow the autocratic system)
 Nationwide police offensive + 10,000 arrests
 Statute of State Security, Okhrana (Russian secret-police organization that was founded to
combat political terrorism and left-wing revolutionary activity) can search premises+ arrest
individuals with no trial. ( “temporary” measure remained in force until Russian Revolution. Referred
to by Lenin as “de facto constitution of Russia”)

Military:
Alex II:
Minister of War, Milyutin, educed conscription 25-10, military service extended to all classes
Alex III:
Continued on same reforming path, respected all reforms, allowed Russian army to gain strength by
keeping it out of foreign wars for the duration of his reign.

Economy: (both reformers)

Alex II:
Railway from 1,000 to 14,000 miles/ 16-fold in coal production, 10-fold rise in steel, 50% rise in iron
(1860-1876), State Bank founded in 1860, easier to raise money for enterprises
Alex III:
Policies continued and even accelerated. Laws by Bunge to improve women/child treatment in
factories “to eliminate discord and conflict of interest”. Legalize trade union.
Vyshnygradsky government income 50% (10y) through tariffs on import and grain exports. 
Helped successor Witte to organize French loan to fund further industrialization.

Alex II as reactionary as his son:

Not allowing History to be taught (considered too dangerous)
Political cases could be tried outside the system by the Tsar.
Alex II’s reforms limited in practice. (Local government)
Voting system heavily favored nobility (75% membership), still dependent on Crown officials.
(Under III that Zmetsva were most effective. Chekhov, Tolstoy local relief efforts during 1891 famine)

Both similar in terms of reactionary to national minorities:

Anti-Semitic, jews treated badly, schools shut down after Polish revolts in 1863 (even if allowed to
trade within empire for economic reasons) Warsaw university shut down in 1869
Alex III turning his nationalist attitude to Russification, everyone use Russian name and learn Russian.
Pogroms against Jews in 1881 followed by 1882 May Laws (harsh restrictions on Jews)
Podedonostev, III advisor “1/3 of Jews will convert, 1/3 will die, 1/3 will flee the country” 2left to USA
Alex III as reformer and Alex II as reactionary:
Agriculture, II reforms so moderate that lead to revolts: paying lot for the land so linked to the Mir
III’s minister Bunge: easier for peasants to rent state land, lowered redemption payments,
considered introducing “Assembly of the Land” (elected by all classes)

Conclusion
- In conclusion… Alexander III at least as great as his father
- Looking at socio and political terms, Alex III broadly reactionary, similar to his father who had
become disillusioned with reform throughout his reign.
- Maybe reaction rather than reforms was the best way forward for Russia at the time
- However, uncomfortable ideas for 21st century sensibilities
- Pobedonostevs: “democracy of the west either served to dilute quality of the decision-making
process or was used to give legitimacy to an established ruling elite, whilst education for the
working class raised hopes which Russian society at the time would not be able to fulfill.”