Although the rule of Alexei I was mediocre, the life of Tsarist Russia during this period had certain characteristics. And these features in turn led to the collapse of serfdom in Tsarist Russia.
First of all, the period of Alexei I was a period of gradual decline of the feudal system in Tsarist Russia. During this period, the feudal serfdom system in Tsarist Russia gradually collapsed, and capitalism began to sprout. However, due to the existence of feudal serfdom, the life of the peasants in Tsarist Russia was still very difficult. They are bound to the land, without freedom and without rights.
Secondly, Tsarist Russia under Alexei I had a strict hierarchy of society. The tsar is the supreme ruler and has absolute power. The aristocracy and the landowning class occupied the upper echelons of society, and they owned a lot of land and wealth. The peasants, on the other hand, are at the bottom of the social ladder and live in poverty.
Against the background of the above, the collapse of serfdom under Alexei I was a complex process involving several factors.
First of all, with the development of the economy of Tsarist Russia and the germination of capitalism, feudal serfdom gradually lost the economic basis for its existence. The peasants began to gain more freedom and rights, and gradually got rid of their dependence on the landlords.
Secondly, the social changes of the time of Alexei I also accelerated the collapse of serfdom. With the development of cities and the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the demand for labor in cities increased, and farmers began to flock to cities in search of job opportunities. This led to a decline in the rural population and a change in the mode of agricultural production, which further weakened the basis for the existence of serfdom.
In addition, the political reforms of the time of Alexei I also had an impact on the collapse of serfdom. In order to maintain social stability and increase fiscal revenue, the Tsar** began to implement a series of reform measures, including reducing the burden on the peasants and improving their lives. To a certain extent, these reform measures weakened the power of the landlords and strengthened the status and rights of the peasants.
Finally, peasant uprisings and revolutionary struggles were also important factors in the collapse of serfdom. During the reign of Alexei I, peasant uprisings and revolutionary struggles continued to take place, and the peasants rebelled violently against the exploitation and oppression of the landlords. These uprisings and struggles had a tremendous impact on serfdom and accelerated the process of its disintegration.
World History