Impact of Serfdom Abolition in Russia

Impact of Serfdom Abolition in Russia

Major reforms swept across Europe during early 1800s. Southern European kingdoms saw the need to abolish staunch policies that hindered economic development. However, the leadership of Russian federation leadership lagged behind in the introduction of great reforms. As a result, many citizens languished in poverty because a few elites controlled the economy. This prompted Tzar Alexander to issue a decree of initiation of the ‘Great Reforms’ (Field Daniel 196). Abolition of serfdom was one of the first to be implemented. It resulted in radical changes and transformation of lives of peasants that formed a majority of the population. 

Abolition of serfdom resulted in a positive effect in the country’s agricultural productivity. The living standards of ordinary citizens and peasants improved tremendously within a short period of time. Besides, Russia saw a growth in its industrial development. Many Russians realized the extent at which serfdom had slowed the country’s economic development for years. In fact, most experts argue that Russia’s agricultural and industrial sectors would be booming if serfdom was abolished during early 19^th century. Projections indicate that the Russian economy would have doubled by 1910.

Provision of incentives to former serfs is one of the most probable mechanisms which serfdom abolition impacted on agricultural productivity in a Russian society. Immediately after emancipation, many Russians that once served as serfs invested the incentives in their family development and the future of their children. On the other hand, peasants embraced their status as full owners of human capital and labor. They shifted their attention to joining a league of small-scale entrepreneurs across Europe. Most importantly, the government provided better incentives to its citizens for investment in the available resources. The number of cattle owned by each Russia adult doubled because of the abolition. Therefore, it is hard to downplay the transformation that resulted from scrapping off serfdom rules and regulations.

Works Cited

Field, Daniel. "The “Great Reforms” of the 1860s." A Companion to Russian History Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009: 196-199.Internet resource.