1. Map of St. Petersburg, 1885-1887. A. Ilyin's Cartographic Establishment.
Source: National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg

2. Gostinyi dvor and the Duma on Nevsky prospekt, St. Petersburg
Gostinyi dvor and the Duma on Nevsky prospekt, St. Petersburg. Source: “St. Petersburg in postcards; ,” National Library of Russia, St. Petersburg.

3. Alexander II and the Great Reforms
ruled
became Tsar during the Crimean War when his father, Nicholas I, died
known as the “Tsar-Liberator” for the emancipation of the serfs in 1861
implemented the Great Reforms in state and legal administration
assassinated in 1881
“Homage from the Imperial Family to Alexander II” (1856)
By Mihály Zichy

4. Emancipation of the Serfs (1861)
Need for military reforms after the Crimean War
winning over the nobility and the “scenario of love” (Richard Wortman)
to emancipate with land or without land?
reform devised over the years
decree on the abolition of serfdom: February 19, 1861 (March 3, 1861)
Redemption Payments: money peasants repaid the state over 49 years for loans to get land from former landlords
“Haggling: A Scene from Serfs’ Way of Life. From the Recent Past” (1866)
By Nikolai Nevrev