Final answer:
The Regionalists may have wanted more local autonomy within the Russian Empire, although their specific goals are not directly provided in the question's options. The abolition of serfdom in 1861, carried out by Tsar Alexander II, led to economic challenges for the freed serfs due to debts incurred to buy their land, a context in which regionalist sentiment might have arisen. The Regionalists, in the context of Russian history, were a movement in the mid-19th century that advocated for regional autonomy and self-governance within the Russian Empire. Therefore, the correct answer is:c. independent Siberia
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, "What did the Regionalists want?" pertains to a historical context of the 19th-century Russian Empire and its political movements. The provided options don't directly reflect the specific goals of Regionalists, but the term could broadly encompass various groups with the objective to have more autonomy or focus on local affairs within the large empire. However, talking about the Russian political context, one prominent aspect of interest post-1855 was the abolition of serfdom, which was eventually achieved under Tsar Alexander II. The emancipation of the serfs in 1861 led to multiple issues, such as economic dependency due to debts incurred to buy their own land. In the broader sense of reform and regional autonomy that many subjects of the empire sought, it could be that 'regionalists' in another context might have sought the creation of self-governing regions within the Russian Empire, aligning somewhat with the options given.