To what extent was the Crimean War the most significant factor leading to the introduction of the zemstva in 1864 The zemstva were a form of local government that was instituted during the great liberal reforms performed in Tsarist Russia by Alexander II. This new system was endorsed by liberal reformer N.A Milyutin and the first zemstva laws were put into effect in 1864. The introduction of the zemstva was significant because of the fact that it enabled Russia to solve the problems that it endured everyday in terms of general education, public health and industrial construction.
The extent to which the Crimean War was the most significant factor leading to the introduction of the Zemstva in 1864 could be seen to be of a significant extent. This is due to the fact that the Crimean War (1853-56) in which Russia had lost had had a major impact as it meant that Russia had now lost its international prestige, it showed the Russians some of the weaknesses of their political and economic organisation and were now made aware of the gulf between itself and the rest of Europe as it saw the contrast between its own life and of the Russian people. This is shown by the serfs in who fought badly in the war due to not being trained properly so as a result of this the Russian Army had no efficiency hence losing their superiority over the French and English Armies. Military advisers warned Alexander that reform of the army was impossible whilst serfdom survived. The Russians were also behind in terms of communications as they had no railways to supply machinery and troops and their technology was lagging behind their enemies. The serfs were also unwilling to fight and were conscripted therefore the loyalty to the Tsar had now become compromised and their attitude towards him was now more critical. This shows the war being the most significant factor to a significant extent as