Emancipation Reform of 1861

The Emancipation Reform of 1861 was a major change in Russia that freed millions of serfs—peasant laborers tied to land and their landowners. Before, serfs couldn't leave their villages or choose their work freely. The reform, enacted by Tsar Alexander II, aimed to modernize the country and improve social conditions by granting serfs personal freedom and some rights. However, the process was complex; serfs often received plots of land with debts attached, making economic freedom challenging. Overall, it marked a significant move toward modernization and social change in Russia.