In the Russia of the second half of the 19th century, millions of peasants lived in serfdom, a political system that had been present in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Many viewed Russia as a barbarian, uncivilized land. The Tsar at the time, Alexander II, tried to reform the system, while maintaining a state of autocracy, a sort of political evolution which the royal family believed would help them maintain power. The serfs, peasants who were neither educated, landowners or wealthy, were treated as slaves. …