When Did Russia Abolish Redemption Payments: A Historical Perspective

Redemption payments, a crucial component of Alexander II’s sweeping reforms in Russia, were introduced in 1861 as part of the broader initiative to emancipate approximately twenty million serfs. Under this reform, the Russian government compensated former serf-holders for the land they relinquished, and this land was subsequently divided into allotments for distribution among the newly liberated serfs. This significant policy shift marked a pivotal moment in Russian history, as it aimed to address the issue of serfdom and provide economic independence to the formerly enslaved population.

In 1861, at the Tsar’s imperial command, Russia abolished serfdom, a system that bound Russian peasants permanently to their landlords. This significant event marked the Emancipation Manifesto, which was depicted in a 1907 painting by Boris Kustodiev. The painting portrays muzhiks, or Russian peasants, attentively listening to the proclamation of this historic decree. The abolition of serfdom in 1861 brought about a substantial transformation in the socio-economic structure of Russia, granting peasants more freedom and autonomy.