Alexander II's Local Government Reforms

Alexander II's Local Government Reforms

1. Zemstvo 1864 and Dumas, town councils set up

   • Cons (8)
     • Peasants did not benefit
       • Had to pay Zemstvo tax, higher proportion for poor than landlord
       • Didn't participate as much
     • Nobles vote was worth more
     • 40% of members were nobles, not representative
     • Provincial governor veteos Zemtsvo decision
     • Only introduced to provinces where Nobility dominates
       • 19 provinces, then 37/70
     • Intelligentsia only talk about political affairs, peasants problems undiscussed
     • No control over taxes
     • o Zemstvo expenditure 15m roubles per year 1868- 96m by 1900, low considering wide range of responsibilities
   • Pros (3)
     • Nobles/townspeople/peasant all involved via electoral colleges
     • G Hosking "believed themselves to constitute a kind of alternative establishment"
       • Tsar's autocracy undermined
         • Shows another way of running Russia
           • Applies to intelligentsia
     • Helped to improve public services such as roads/schools/health/prisons
       • Industrial projects and poor relief