# Zemstvos and judicial reform (1864)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/1864-zemstvos-and-judicial-reform
Categories: main-event

In 1864 Alexander II created zemstvos, elected local councils responsible for schools, roads and health, and reformed the courts with independent judges, jury trials and trained lawyers. Town councils (dumas) followed in 1870. The reforms laid the foundations of civil society and the rule of law in Russia.

## Why it matters
The reforms laid the foundations of civil society and the rule of law in Russia.

Ruler at the time: [Alexander II](https://history-russia.com/rulers/alexander-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Zemstvo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zemstvo)
- [Wikipedia — Judicial reform of Alexander II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_reform_of_Alexander_II)
- [Wikipedia — Russian Empire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Zemstvos and judicial reform](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Zemstvos+and+judicial+reform)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)