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How did the common Russian benefit economically or socially from the victory over Napoleon?

a. serfs became liberated
b. no improvement in their lives

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The common Russian did not significantly benefit economically or socially from the victory over Napoleon. Their lives remained difficult, as emancipation brought new financial burdens and continued hardships, maintaining their state of poverty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The economic and social benefits that the common Russian experienced from the victory over Napoleon were negligible and often misrepresented the true nature of newfound freedoms. After the abolition of serfdom, while serfs were legally emancipated, they had to endure various hardships. They were required to serve their masters for two more years and had to buy the land they had worked for years, often at exorbitant prices. Additionally, many former domestic serfs received no land at all. Thus, economically, the peasants remained in poverty due to the obligation to pay off the debt incurred with their "freedom" and heavy taxes. Socially, the liberty pronounced on paper did not translate immediately into significant improvements in the lives of the former serfs.

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