Why did Alexander II make the reforms to change Russia?

Question

Why did Alexander II make the reforms to change Russia?

Answer 1

The short answer is because of the Crimean War.  Russia was defeated more by logistics than by battle.  The British and French found it easier to feed, arm and care for their troops than the Russians did.  The reason was because the Russians didn't have many railway lines and nor did they have large industries able to manufacture uniforms, cannon, guns and the rest if it.  

Russia felt she should be a world power - but the defeat made it apparent that she was in reality a medieval mess of a country.

In order to help kick-start industrialisation Alexander and his advisors realised that the serfs needed to be free to move to the cities to look for work (there was serfdom in many pre-emancipation factories, but it was hopelessly inefficient).

In some ways you can say that emancipation is similar to the reforms of Peter the Great and Stalin's industrialisation drives - in all cases Russia was shown to be backward and the state then tries to modernise through drastic reform.

Answer 2

Alexander II succeeded to the throne at the height of the Crimean War.  The war acted as a catalyst for reform of the government and society, which was a popular idea at the time. Many believed that the country had been exhausted and humiliated by the war, and that the only way of restoring it to its proper position in Europe was to develop its natural resources and thoroughly to reform all branches of the administration.

Alexander was open minded and allowed himself to be influenced by the popular enlightened thinking of the time, while remaining critical of all new ideas.  This allowed him to bring about the reforms that were popular with the educated classes of Russia, while still maintaining the helm of state and preventing too radical changes in government and society.

Hope this helps,

Peace!