R2219th

 //Theme 22: The shift in social structures from hierarchical orders to modern social classes: the changing distribution of wealth and poverty//
 * __ Abolition of Serfdom in Russia __**
 * __ 1861 __**

The emancipations of the serfs in Russia happened in 1861 by Tsar Alexander II. Alexander II became Tsar during the Crimean War and he did not believe in inhumane treatment so he abolished serfdom. He mainly emancipated serfdom based on the Crimean war. This changed Russia’s social structure by eliminating serfs and establishing a different social class of peasants. Serfs were technically slaves that could own a small portion of property they had to pay for. Unlike serfs peasants were given land and were allowed to own their own land and make their own money. The only problem with this was serfs had little or no money to be able to purchase their own land, slightly changing the effects of wealth and poverty in Russia.

McKay, John P., John Buckler, and Bennett D. Hill. __A History of Western society__. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003. 