Reform followed by Reaction is a dangerous strategy for any government to follow and the best example of this are the governments of Alexander II and Nichols II. Both Alexander and Nicholas were inconsistent

Have a little read: ... Reform followed by Reaction is a dangerous strategy for any government to follow and the best example of this are the governments of Alexander II and Nichols II. Both Alexander and Nicholas were inconsistent in their policies However; Alexander had the qualities of an autocrat while Nicholas didn't. Nicholas was small compared to his Romanov Family members and his was too kind and quiet. He "had no insides" and in the face of danger, he would fun out of fear unlike his grandfather Alexander who would simply tighten his grip on Russia. Also, unlike Alexander, Nicholas was never around his people. Even though both Alexander and Nicholas didn't mingle with the peasants, Alexander stayed in Russia and knew what was going on with his people. Alexander II was a passionate reformer. Other than freeing the serfs, he wanted to revise the judicial system, extend education, reform the military, increase foreign trade, and spark the growth of industry. But, from 1861till his assassination, Alexander II was repressive. He had grown tired of the open criticism of the government and how people had begun to assert their opinions on him. Alexander's repressive policy was driven by fear. In 1866 there was an attempt to kill the tsar by extremely radical liberals. The liberals felt that Alexander had not done enough with his reforms and when they asked Alexander to continue his reforms, Alexander said no. Alexander felt that his reforms would cause a revolution so he decided that he would stop trying to reform the country to protect his position as tsar. This change from progression to regression was so sudden that instead of making few enemies through simple progression, Alexander made everybody his enemy through regression, which untimely lead to his assassination in 1881. In October, Nicholas II allowed the creation of a Duma with the October manifesto. The creation of the first Duma quelled harsh feelings toward the government and led to the end of the 1905 revolt. Then, Nicholas changed his mind and in may1906, Nicholas passed the fundamental laws. These laws gave the Tsar absolute power over Russia and dissolved the Duma. The people were outraged so in June 1907 there was a second Duma created. Nicholas didn't like that one either so he dissolved it. Finally, later in 1907, there was a third Duma but it was a joke and an illusion to democracy