A Study On Serfdom Reform By Alexander Ⅱ In 1861

The Serf Reformation in 1861, launched by Alexander the Second, known as the Abolishment of Serfdom, is a most influential historical event in Russian history in the middle period of 19th century. It is a critical period for Russian national development because it not only determines the transformation of its development from traditional feudalism to modern capitalism but also decides the subsequent developing trend and eventually gives rise to the famous 1917 Revolution.This dissertation consists of six chapters. Chapter One explores the reasons of the Serfdom Reform. The chapter focuses on the reasons and manifestation of serf movement before Reform, discusses some factors contributing to the Reform such as the Crimea War, the financial crisis, and the melted weather, analyzes the leading force of Reform-----their characteristics of the liberal bureaucrats and aristocrats, namely, they received higher education, believed in liberalism, got protection from Czar's younger brother and his aunt, and even some became the original place of reform force.Chapter Two pays an emphasis on the procedure of the Serfdom Reform, probes the tough legislative process of Act of 19, January, 1861, makes research of reform scheme proposed by the Secret Committee and General Committee, analyzes the factors affecting governmental implementation.Chapter Three discusses the main content of Act of 19, January, 1861, including serf's rights and obligations, system of sharing lands among landlords and serfs, serf's taxation, ransom money, and procedure of redeeming, together with the creation of new administrative agency----system of mediator.Chapter Four centers on the implementation of Act of 19, January, 1861, namely, this chapter deals with the abolishment of serfdom system in rural areas where the landlords dominate the land as well as in urban areas in which land is dominated by nation and royal family. In addition, the abolishment of serfdom system is discussed in frontier areas dominated by minority. Meanwhile, taking six provinces as examples this chapter analyzes the causes of ceding territory, transferring territory, and bestowing territory. At the end of this chapter, the process of redeeming and the amount, quality, and price, etc. are discussed.Chapter Five concentrates on the effects of the Reform on various aspects. In one way, the Reform brings great effects on the rural economy and the living style of the farmers, including the increase of the rate of literacy, the enforcement of mobilization of rural population. The Reform also generates great effects on the family break-up, property rights, and female serfs. In another, this chapter probes the other reforms in other areas led by Alexander the Second, shows the chain reaction caused by the Reform, studies the achievements of the Reform in autonomy, justice, national education, and military reform. By this thorough research, we aim to reveal the interaction of the Reform in various aspects in general.Chapter Six expounds the implications produced by the Reform and interprets the active roles played by Alexander the Second. The key operation and practice advocated by Alexander the Second include: attaching importance to the combination of the experience both at hone and abroad, matching of different reform measures, being good at taking chances, paying attention to the social stability, etc. The active roles played by Alexander the Second are: publicizing the issue in newspaper and letting the public involved in the reform, being smart at dealing with personnel, promoting and giving faith to those who advocate and hail reform, supporting the liberalists who are in favor of reform. Due to the above contributions from Alexander the Second, the Reform finally came into effect and had success.