The abolition of serfdom in Russia in 1861 was significant as it marked the end of a feudal system that restricted personal freedoms and economic opportunities for millions of peasants. This reform, enacted by Tsar Alexander II, aimed to modernize the country and improve the economy by granting former serfs land ownership rights. While it led to social upheaval and challenges, it also initiated a transformation toward a more mobilized workforce, contributing to Russia's eventual industrialization and the emergence of class dynamics that would influence political movements in the 20th century.