Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 1 The political reforms of…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 1 The political reforms of Alexander II, 1855–70: Reform of the legal system and its significance; the reform of local government: the zemstvo statute of 1864, the work and importance of the zemstvos; the municipal statute of 1870.
Alexander II's legal reform (1864) introduced independent courts, trial by jury, public proceedings, equality before the law and professional judges, ending much arbitrary gentry justice; its…
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Alexander II's legal reform (1864) introduced independent courts, trial by jury, public proceedings, equality before the law and professional judges, ending much arbitrary gentry justice; its significance lay in establishing rule-of-law principles, though peasant and political cases remained restricted. Local government reform followed: the zemstvo statute of 1864 created elected district and provincial assemblies with responsibility for roads, schools, health and famine relief, giving some representation across classes but weighted to gentry. Zemstvos did valuable practical work yet were limited by governors' vetoes and narrow taxation. The municipal statute of 1870 created similar elected councils in towns. Assess significance and limits.
What earns the marks
- Explains the 1864 legal reforms: independent courts, juries, publicity and equality before the law.
- Assesses the significance and limitations of legal reform, including exceptions for peasants and political offences.
- Describes the zemstvo statute of 1864 and the structure of elected district and provincial assemblies.
- Evaluates the work and importance of zemstvos in education, health, roads and famine relief, and their constraints.
- Explains the municipal statute of 1870 and its role in town government.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming legal reform gave complete equality.
Put it right by noting peasant and political exceptions.
Assuming zemstvos held real power.
Put it right by explaining governors' vetoes and financial limits.
Confusing the 1864 zemstvo statute with the 1870 municipal statute.
Put it right by separating their dates and scope.
Exam tips
- Distinguish legal, rural and urban reforms clearly.
- Use dates 1864 and 1870 accurately.
- Assess significance with both achievements and limits.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 1 The political reforms of Alexander II, 1855–70: Reform of the legal system and its significance; the reform of local government: the zemstvo statute of 1864, the work and importance of the zemstvos; the municipal statute of 1870. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was a significant feature of the legal reforms introduced by Alexander II in 1864?
Listen
Alexander II's legal reform (1864) introduced independent courts, trial by jury, public proceedings, equality before the law and professional judges, ending much arbitrary gentry justice; its significance lay in establishing rule-of-law principles, though peasant and political cases remained restricted. Local government reform followed: the zemstvo statute of 1864 created elected district and provincial assemblies with responsibility for roads, schools, health and famine relief, giving some representation across classes but weighted to gentry. Zemstvos did valuable practical work yet were limited by governors' vetoes and narrow taxation. The municipal statute of 1870 created similar elected councils in towns. Assess significance and limits. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the 1864 legal reforms: independent courts, juries, publicity and equality before the law. Assesses the significance and limitations of legal reform, including exceptions for peasants and political offences. Describes the zemstvo statute of 1864 and the structure of elected district and provincial assemblies. Evaluates the work and importance of zemstvos in education, health, roads and famine relief, and their constraints. A common slip: Claiming legal reform gave complete equality. Instead, noting peasant and political exceptions. Exam tip: Distinguish legal, rural and urban reforms clearly.
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Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Rule of law
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Zemstvo work
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Urban reform
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Rule of law
- Principles established by the legal reform of 1864, with independent courts, trial by jury, public proceedings, equality before the law and professional judges.
- Zemstvo work
- Valuable practical work of elected district and provincial assemblies in roads, schools, health and famine relief, limited by governors' vetoes and narrow taxation.
- Urban reform
- The municipal statute of 1870, which created elected councils in towns similar to the zemstvos.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 1 The political reforms of Alexander II, 1855–70: Reform of the legal system and its significance; the reform of local government: the zemstvo statute of 1864, the work and importance of the zemstvos; the municipal statute of 1870.
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