What did people do when Alexander the second ended serfdom?

Answer 1

The peasants of Russia were still not happy. Even after the 1861 "Emancipation Manifesto" was passed, which gave the former serfs the power to purchase land, it would take up to 20 years to pay off their debt. Also, the people were longing for the same freedom as exhibited in America, Britain, and in France. In 1869, two Russian writers, Mikhail Bakunin and Sergi Nechayev published the book "Catechism of a Revolutionist" where they demanded a revolution. In 1876, a group called itself "Land and Liberty." They had to meet in secret for it was a crime to speak ill of the Russian government. Two groups formed from "Land and Liberty;" One group advocated terrorism and the other advocated Socialism. There were many attempts on Tsar Alexander's life that all failed. A final assassination attempt on Alexander's life took place in a basement below the dining room where he was to have dinner was carried out by a group called "The People's Will." After the failed attempt, the "People's Will" contacted the Russian government promising they would no longer carry out any more attempts to assassinate the Tsar if they were granted a constitution that provided free elections and an end to censorship. In February 1880, the Tsar promised to provide the people with a constitution. It included increased powers of the Zemstvo. The People's Will were unhappy about the reforms and promised another assassination attempt. While riding in his carriage in April 1881, a couple of bombs was thrown missing his carriage but killing and injuring Cossacks that were following him. He got out of his carriage to care for the injured Cossacks. Then another terrorist threw another bomb at the Tsar killing him. The explosion was so large it even killed that terrorist. The others in the plot were eventually caught, one died in prison while the rest were hanged.