Attempts to transform the economic status of the landed gentry in Russia in the mid-19th century: the work of grand duchess Elena Pavlovna

The article analyzes the current economic situation in Russia since the middle of the 19th century, describes the process of transformation of noblemen's land tenure on the basis of the studied materials of this period, and it studies the preparatory measures that directly influenced the abolition of serfdom in Russia. The Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna was actively involved in the preparation of the serfdom abolition reform. The authors of the article acquaint readers with her personality and the role of this distinguished woman in carrying out the reform associated with the abolition of serfdom in Russia. Under the leadership of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, K. Kaverin and N. Milyutin developed the peasant reform projects which were prompted by the economic development of capitalist relations in the country and by the growth of the anti-serfdom movement. Elena Pavlovna began the abolishing serfdom procedure with her Malorossian estate of Karlovka as she believed it was essential to implement those changes which would both improve the living conditions of the peasants and increase the profitability of the estate, since the labour of the serfs was unproductive and hindered the Russian economy development under those conditions.