The Novgorod Countryside in the Reform of 1861

Abstract

The reform of February 19, 1861, was one of the key events in the history of Russia in the nineteenth century. It laid the groundwork for the vigorous development of capitalism, brought about radical changes in the economic structure of the country, and largely determined the path of political and socioeconomic development for a long time to come. A capitalist Russia was coming to replace feudal Russia.1