Short term significance of emancipation act
Russia. March 3rd 1861. Society is becoming restless and demanding change in system. Tsar
Alexander II gives the people the
Emancipation
of the serfs which states that peasants will no longer be possessed by the Nobles. What is considered significant is how society reacted in the following decades to the 1861 Act. The edict effect both sides society which in turn, resulted in action against government. The Gentry and Peasantry both suffered socioeconomic problems. This lead to the greatest consequence and reaction from society; the growth of opposition against the government. Some may argue that the emancipation produced a positive reaction from the peasants.
Alexander Nikitenko (1804-77) was born a serf however, managed to get an education. He documented his reaction to being freed in his diary. His shock and “feeling of joy” which he describes indicate that peasants would have been euphoric with the news. This would be a typical reaction of a peasant at the time as it had promised their freedom which had never been considered for hundreds of years. It also shows the view of the Tsar immediately after the edict.
“Alexander II, the Liberator”. This shows how much they were grateful for the edict. This overall suggests that the society had reacted in a positive manner. What has been stated can be considered trustworthy as diary entry’s serve little purpose than to remember. This demonstrates why Nikitenko would have little reason to lie as it is not being used to persuade and therefore suggest this is a genuine view of a peasant. The time in which it was produced was the day the emancipation was announced. This reveals that the reaction is only towards the theory of the emancipation in actuality, the edict didn’t provide such happiness for the peasants as was realised soon after. This is proven by Alexander’s reassurance to landowners in a speech to the Council of th State on 28
February 1861 saying “you will be convinced that everything that was possible to do
Alexander II gives the people the
Emancipation
of the serfs which states that peasants will no longer be possessed by the Nobles. What is considered significant is how society reacted in the following decades to the 1861 Act. The edict effect both sides society which in turn, resulted in action against government. The Gentry and Peasantry both suffered socioeconomic problems. This lead to the greatest consequence and reaction from society; the growth of opposition against the government. Some may argue that the emancipation produced a positive reaction from the peasants.
Alexander Nikitenko (1804-77) was born a serf however, managed to get an education. He documented his reaction to being freed in his diary. His shock and “feeling of joy” which he describes indicate that peasants would have been euphoric with the news. This would be a typical reaction of a peasant at the time as it had promised their freedom which had never been considered for hundreds of years. It also shows the view of the Tsar immediately after the edict.
“Alexander II, the Liberator”. This shows how much they were grateful for the edict. This overall suggests that the society had reacted in a positive manner. What has been stated can be considered trustworthy as diary entry’s serve little purpose than to remember. This demonstrates why Nikitenko would have little reason to lie as it is not being used to persuade and therefore suggest this is a genuine view of a peasant. The time in which it was produced was the day the emancipation was announced. This reveals that the reaction is only towards the theory of the emancipation in actuality, the edict didn’t provide such happiness for the peasants as was realised soon after. This is proven by Alexander’s reassurance to landowners in a speech to the Council of th State on 28
February 1861 saying “you will be convinced that everything that was possible to do