Tsar Alexander II and the Emancipation of the Serfs

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the tumultuous reign of Tsar Alexander II, known as the Tsar Liberator. They delve into the 1861 Emancipation Reform that freed over 23 million serfs, the political struggles behind the reform, and the subsequent Great Reforms including judicial, military, and zemstvo changes. The conversation covers key figures like Alexander Herzen, the radical publicist, and Dmitry Milyutin, the architect of military reform. They discuss the rise of nihilism and the People's Will, leading to Alexander II's assassination in 1881 after multiple attempts, including the 1880 Kharkiv plot. The episode also touches on the legacy of the reforms, the Polish uprising of 1863, and the contrasting fates of reformers and revolutionaries. Listeners will learn about the complex weave of hope, resistance, and tragedy that defined Alexander II's era, a pivotal moment in Russian history that set the stage for the revolutions of the early 20th century. #AlexanderII #EmancipationReform #Serfdom #GreatReforms #Zemstvo #DmitryMilyutin #AlexanderHerzen #Nihilism #PeopleWill #Assassination #PolishUprising1863 #RussianHistory #TsarLiberator #JudicialReform #MilitaryReform #19thCentury #History #FexingoHistory #RomanovDynasty #TsarNicholasII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo