To what extent do you agree that Alexander II was the Tsar Liberator?

The question requires candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the view that Alexander II was a liberator. The impact of the major reforms (emancipation, legal, local government, military and educational) should be closely considered. Some may argue that the reforms represented an enormous change in Russian society and politics representing a move towards democracy and a more liberal state and that Alexander was a liberator. However, others may consider that the reforms were limited, referring to the issue of Redemption Dues and the Mir system leaving peasants in “economic slavery”. At a regional level the Zemstva and Duma were dominated by the nobility and there was no national elected assembly. Judicially there were still special courts and the Okhrana continued to operate. It could be argued that Alexander was not a liberator and that Russia remained a hierarchical autocratic state and that the reforms were designed to protect autocracy. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions should be stated clearly and supported with appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Alexander II was a liberator. This was a popular question, and some very good responses were seen with in-depth knowledge and focus on the question. Some candidates, however, tended to give generalized and descriptive accounts of Alexander ll's reforms.