The Emancipation Edict by Czar Alexander II was an important
reform because it abolished serfdom in Russia. With this edict, the serfs now had full rights
such as full citizenship, the right to marry without asking permission and to
own property as well purchase land from land lords. Unfortunately the serfs were not able to get
land due to the high tax of redemptions and the profits they made only served
to pay those taxes. Economic conditions
were so desperate that the serfs had no choice but to work again for their land
lords which left their fields neglected and famine came about. In the end, their condition did not improve.
