Epoch defining

The Tsar, after many years of reflection, reading and praying on the matter has decided that there is no longer a place for serfdom in the Russian Empire.



Serfdom is hereby abolished by Imperial Decree. All serfs are released from bondage to their lords and are eligible for wages when working on land other than their own. But the Tsar understands that many noble families in the Russian countryside will be placed in poverty by this decree. To compensate these nobles for a loss he has announced a tax break for all nobles who lose their serfs. A gradient of relief is created with nobles losing the most serfs liable to a 50% tax break.



The peasantry is expected to pay taxes from now on, it is also expected that many will leave the country and make their homes in the cities. The Tsar expects to see increased tax revenues and a growth in the population of the cities.



To compensate for this and to avoid slums the Tsar sets aside a sum of 20,000 Ducats to create blocks of flats in Russias large cities. These will be leased by the state and are expected to make a decent profit.



Along with the abolition of Serfdom comes the abolition of the much maligned conscription. The current batch of Conscripts will remain with the army, but there will never be another call up. The communities of the Empire have suffered a great deal due to the brutality of conscription and the loss of able bodied farm workers and income earners.



The Tsar will accept no criticism or challenge to this measure. Nobles who object will find themselves on a coach to the Siberian Colony.