In February 1861 Tsar Alexander II issued the statutes abolishing the institution of serfdom in Russia. Drawing on recent research by Russian and Western historians, David Moon provides an up-to-date interpretation of this major development in Russian history. Abolition is presented as a process rather than an 'event', and both its origins in 1762 and its culmination in 1907 are examined. Engaging and accessible, the text is supported by a document selection from sources previously unavailable in English translation, a glossary, chronology, and a guide to further reading.

Autorentext

David Moon is Reader in Modern History at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

Inhalt

Part 1 Background; Chapter 1 Introduction; Part 2 Analysis; Chapter 2 Serfdom in the Russian Empire; Chapter 3 A Crisis of Serfdom?; Chapter 4 Further Causes of Reform and Abolition; Chapter 5 Rural Reforms, 1762-1855; Chapter 6 Military Reform and the Crimean War; Chapter 7 Preparing to Abolish Serfdom, 1856-61; Chapter 8 The Terms of the Abolition of Serfdom; Chapter 9 Responses and Implementation, 1861-63; Chapter 10 The Reform Process, 1863-1907; Chapter 11 The Impact of the Abolition of Serfdom; Part 3 Conclusion and Assessment; Chapter 12 Abolition and Aftermath; Part 4 Documents;