Emancipation+of+Russian+Serfs

=Emancipation of the Serfs=

During the 19th Century, Russia was in a period of reform based on Western examples. Serfdom had been abolished in Western Europe by 1789 and in Prussia and Hungary by 1848. Russia wanted to make changes without completely copying Western reform measures. In 1861, the final decision to free the serfs was made by Alexander II. Although the aristocrats received the most fertile holdings of the serf's land, the serfs received the rest. They obtained no new political rights, and they were still tied to the land until they made their redemption payments. Although the emancipation of the serfs created a larger urban working class, it didn't not provided Russia with its economic needs such as an agricultural revolution. Peasant risings and protests increased. Although this was occurring, Alexander II was not finished with his changes.

Created by: Stacy Fairey 2.11.09 Edited by Jaclyn Speer 2/11/09
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