alexander

alexander

ion of Alexander II as the “ Czar Liberator” is primarily a favourable one as the Czar did recognize the pathetic condition of the serfs at that time and devoted the first six years of his reign to emancipate the serfs. The Edict of Emancipation, which was passed on The third of September 1861 by seventeen legislative acts, was primarily initiated due to the loss suffered by Russia during the Crimean War (March 1854- February 1857). After much thought and consideration the Czar realized that serfdom which affected as much as thirty percent of the total Russian population was hampering Russian progress in all the sectors. The economy suffered the maximum as the bulk of Russian populations were serfs and hence could not held a helping hand in the growth of Russian Economy. It soon became painfully obvious to Alexander II that a reform along western lines was the only hope for Russia. It was this realization and ultimately the Edict of Emancipation which was regarded as the “ The greatest single liberating measure in modern history” by MS Anderson which earned Alexander II the title of Czar Liberator.
The Edict of Emancipation, which was declared in 1861, set out a wave of reforms all throughout Russia, which had mixed reactions and feelings. The Czar had clearly understood the immense effects the Emancipation of the serfs would have on the rich folk of Russia. However, he was quoted saying “It is better to abolish serfdom from above than to wait for the time when it will begin to abolish itself from below."   By the Edict of Emancipation the serfs were allowed to own one-thirds of the land of the landlords and were free to do anything they desired on the land. However, one condition laid forth by the Government was that the money, which the Government had paid on behalf of the serfs to acquire the land from the landlords, must be paid back over a period of forty nine years. However the serfs did not actually own the land as private property but as shares...