How valid is this interpretation of the reign of Tsar Alexander 2nd?
             The quotation suggests that with the accession of Alexander as Tsar of Russia he had no sympathy to with the repressive system (nature) of his predecessors. Written by George Hume an Englishman, and taken from his memoirs published in 1914, one would generally assume he has taken great care in coming to this conclusion on the reign of Alexander 2nd but one much also take into account the influence war time Europe (1914) etc had on this outcome. However, from this quotation we can infer Hume believes Alexander approached his duties is a comparatively different way to that of the tsars before him and in general there are various reasons that support this case.
             Alexander the 2nd realised the need for reform after recognising that his Russia or rather his predecessors had developed a rather backward country both socially and economically to that of the rest of Europe. Arguably his greatest reform lay with the Serfs. Russia was made up generally speaking of almost 97% peasants, those of whom were predominantly agricultural labourers or slaves that lived in perpetual starvation most of the year. His realisation that the situation of the serfs needed to be resolved greatly changed the outcome of Russia, in terms of its advancement towards a stably economic power in Europe. The Serfs were to be emancipated with land of their own and all debts to previous owners or landlords paid by the state.
             Alexander had obviously, by this act taken the first step to a better Russia and it was clear that further reform lay ahead.
             The next stage Alexander saw problems with was Russia' legal system. Bribery and corruption flourished freely in courtrooms throughout Russia before his accession. And the need for relative adjudication and a common fair trial was necessary to Alexander for stability in his new modernised Russia. To many Alexander's word was law as indeed the a...