The reform of Russian military service (1874)…

The reform of Russian military service (1874) is the last of the principal reforms in Alexander's II reign.

The Franco-Prussian War had demonstrated the necessity of building a modern army.

The old system of long term service (twenty-five years) for a limited number of recruits is abandoned, as being too heavy a burden for the people and as providing practically no reserves.

The new conscription system, which provides for a short term of active service followed by several years in the reserve, is introduced by Dmitry Milyutin in 1874.

It is drawn on democratic lines, calling to service all young men of twenty-one without distinction of class.

Exemption is only granted to young men who are the sole breadwinners of their families.

It also gives the army a role in teaching many peasants to read and in pioneering medical education for women.