Emanicipation of Serfs

The emancipation of serfs refers to the historical process where peasants, who were tied to their land and under the control of landowners, gained freedom. This meant they could own property, marry freely, and seek employment elsewhere, ending feudal restrictions. The most notable example is Russia's Emancipation of the Serfs in 1861, which aimed to modernize the country and improve social conditions. This change allowed serfs to become legally independent, but often they faced new challenges like debt and lack of land, as the transition was complex and gradual.