The Emancipation Of The Serfs

The formal emancipation of the serfs began shortly after Alexander II became Tsar. He set up a reform commission to examine the problem, which quite predictably met with considerable opposition from landowners. As a compromise Alexander allowed the serfs their freedom, but did not allow them to take land from those who had been their ‘masters.’ In fact, former serfs had to pay their former masters over a number of years for any land that they claimed. Many fell behind with their payments, meaning that even greater pvoerty was often the proce that former serfs paid for their freedom. The ‘freedom’ that had been granted was also largely illusory, as many still had to perform duties and adhere to rules set for their social class.