What major reform did Tsar Alexander II implement in Russia in 1861?

In 1861, Tsar Alexander II implemented the abolition of serfdom, which was a significant reform in Russian history. This reform marked the end of a feudal system that had kept millions of peasants bound to the land and under the control of landowners. By freeing the serfs, Alexander II aimed to modernize Russia and stimulate economic growth by allowing former serfs to own land and have more liberties.

This reform was a crucial step toward more progressive changes in Russian society. It represented a shift towards alleviating the deep social inequalities and was intended to create a more productive economy by empowering the peasantry. However, while the abolition of serfdom was a pivotal reform, it did not lead to immediate improvements in the lives of many peasants, who often found themselves in debt or struggling to manage the land allocated to them.

The other options, such as establishing democracy, introducing communism, or creating a constitutional monarchy, were not part of Alexander II's reforms in 1861. These concepts either came later in Russian history or were not aligned with Alexander II's goals during his reign. Thus, the abolition of serfdom stands out as the major and defining reform of that time.