Peasants made up over 90% of the population and carried the heaviest burden.
Complete exemption from taxes, recruitment, and physical punishment. They controlled the local administration and the military. 3. The Merchantry uchebnik 8 klassa kosulina konspekt 14 paragrafa
Status passed from parents to children.
Lived on state land and paid taxes directly to the government. They were technically "free" but still tied to the land. Peasants made up over 90% of the population
Status earned through state service (Table of Ranks) but could not be passed down. uchebnik 8 klassa kosulina konspekt 14 paragrafa
The beginning of the 19th century saw a slow transition. While the estate system remained rigid, the under Alexander I was a first, though small, step toward allowing serfs to buy their freedom, signaling that the old social order was beginning to crack.