ALEXANDER II REFORMS: LOCAL GOVERNMENT (1864 - 1870)

ALEXANDER II REFORMS: LOCAL GOVERNMENT (1864 - 1870)

1. The 'ZEMSTVA'

   • Government introduced PROVINCIAL and DISTRICT councils.
   • *1864
   • Assemblies/Councils were to be ELECTED by nobles, town dwellers, the Church and peasants.
     • System of separate ELECTORAL COLLEGES - peasants, nobles, the Church and townspeople - to make up the voting procedure.
       • - HOWEVER... the arrangement of thesystem was rigged to allow the NOBILITY to DOMINATE!
         • - Despite SOME peasant representation, these 'people assemblies' typically attracted doctors, lawyers, teachers and scientists; who, disappointingly, became more interested in criticising and debating about the government.
   • - Electoral system favoured the NOBILITY!
     • 40% members of DISTRICT zemstva
     • >70% members of PROVINCIAL zemstva.
   • Provinces where RUSSIANS formed the MAJORITY of the POPULATION and RULING ELITE.
     • (1864 = 19 provinces, with Zemstva)
       • (1914 = 37 provinces, with Zemstva)
         • - NOT massively widespread; only introduced to a LIMITED number of provinces and SLOW to take form; as there were ONLY 70 PROVINCES in total!
   • Elected for 3 years.
   • Each Zemstva selected a GOVERNING BOARD from their members.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE 'ZEMSTVA'

   • Health
     • + HOSPITALS built carried lasting benefits!
   • Education.
   • Road and bridge maintenance
     • + ROADS built carried lasting benefits!
   • Local economic affairs.
   • Played an increasingly important role in LOCAL AREAS!
   • (1870) Extended to newly elected 'DUMAS' (TOWN COUNCILS).

3. POSITIVES

   • + Brought IMPROVEMENTS to many aspects of LOCAL AREAS!
     • Roads.
     • Health facilities.
     • Street lighting.
     • Drainage systems.
     • Water supplies.
     • Primary schools.
   • + Brought a VALUABLE addition to LOCAL government!
   • + Those in charge of the councils gained POLITICAL EXPERIENCE in managing affairs; many wishing to take this through to a NATIONAL LEVEL!
   • Members of the THIRD ELEMENT within the Zemstva developed enough confidence to issue demands for SOCIAL REFORM and BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS!
     • "Believed themselves to constitute a kind of 'alternative establishment,' more truly representative of the Russian nation and more genuinely able to serve it than the regime was."
       • Geoffrey Hosking
         • British Historian.

4. WEAKNESSES/LIMITATIONS

   • - RESTRICTIONS were placed on their powers of TAXATION; had trouble RAISING TAXES!
   • - DOMINATED by the NOBILITY; many did NOT take their responsibilities seriously, or took ADVANTAGE of the opportunity to operate affairs in their OWN INTERESTS!
   • The PEASANTS were discouraged by the NOBILITY, and unfortunately often did NOT really participate in local affairs.
   • - PEASANTS resented paying the Zemstvo TAX!
   • - MIXED results! Some more enterprising Zemstva, but equally also some lazier, indolent leadership.
   • Their POWER was STRICTLY LIMITED, and so decisions were NOT ABSOLUTE; the nobility and local Marshalls were able to veto their ideas.