The Peasant Reform of 1861. Causes and consequences

Forever in the history of Russia, Alexander II will remain as the liberator of serfs. The reforms of Alexander II were always distinguished by democracy and gradualism. Do not forget that the gradualness of reforms is the secret of the rule of a competent monarch. And Alexander knew the second secret in full.

Alexander the second from his youth was occupied by the Peasant Reform. However, he could begin to do it only after he took the throne. What were the reasons for this zealous desire of the monarch to liberate the serfs?

1) Alexander the second, as a wise and competent ruler, understood that serfdom was hampering the state. From the use of any slaveholding elements, the European world long ago refused. Russia continued to hesitate, fearing to carry out reactionary reforms. In the opinion of Alexander the second, the peasant reform should have eliminated at the root all the reasons for Russia's lagging behind the world powers.

2) Alexander was deeply convinced that the presence of serfdom in the country had a bad effect on Russia's defense capability. Serfdom led to a lowering of the rating of Russia among the European powers. Moreover, many European monarchs considered it beneath their dignity to conduct business with Russia. Just like in the days of Ancient Rus, when Vladimir was unable to reach the hand of the Princess of Constantinople simply because he was a pagan.

3) Do not forget that the new monarch was raised in the spirit of enlightenment and democracy. The creative intelligentsia had long advocated the abolition of serfdom. The teacher of Alexander the second in youth was Vasily Zhukovsky himself , who was the leader of the creative intelligentsia of the XIX century. It is Zhukovsky considered a teacher of Pushkin. According to Alexander the second, peasant reform should have a positive impact on the spiritual component of Russian society.

The beginning for the reform was laid in 1857, when the monarch established the Secret Commission. The secret commission had to work out a plan according to which the abolition of serfdom should become the most smooth and inconspicuous.

The main problem for the monarch was the confrontation between the interests of serfs and nobility. The nobles were sincerely sure that the abolition of serfdom to the country was useless. They did not want to part with their lands and with their peasants.

Serfs, on the contrary, believed that the peasant reform should fully restore their freedom, in addition, also bring land on which you could conduct business. It was impossible to please both.

February 19, 1861 there was a significant event for all of Russia - the serfdom was abolished. Throughout the country, the decrees of Alexander II were read in the churches. According to this decree, all serfs received freedom and independence from their former landowners. Each peasant received a land for personal use. However, this land was still considered the possession of the landowner. The peasants were obliged to redeem their plots from the landowner, seeking independence of the estates.

Thus, the abolition of serfdom in 1861 forever changed Russia. However, neither the landlords nor the peasants were satisfied. The landlords believed that they were being robbed, taking away legitimate lands. The peasants were sure that the former serfdom was replaced by a new one, which became known as work offs. As a result, Alexander the second was condemned practically in all layers of society. After 20 years, Alexander finally lose credibility among the masses. In 1881, he was killed by conspirators from among the people's circles, which were particularly popular in Russia in the late 19th century.

Despite everything, Alexander the second went down in the history of Russia as a great figure, an inimitable reformer, a far-sighted politician. It is thanks to the active reforming activity of Alexander the second that modern Russia has such a face.