Question

russia and the united states quick check
which statement best explains the causes leading to the emancipation of russia’s serfs? (1 point)
the mounting pressure of public opinion that said serfdom and the crimean war were inhuman prompted alexander ii to modernize and develop russia.
alexander ii saw serfdom as inhumane, and the military loss in the crimean war prompted alexander ii to enact social reform, which led to the emancipation of russia’s serfs.
the edict emancipation of 1861 marked the end of the crimean war, which was fought over serfdom in russia.
the edict emancipation of 1861 established the feudal system, and alexander ii saw the feudal system as inhumane, which established the freedom of serfs.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The Crimean War itself wasn't about being "inhuman" in the way the option describes, and public opinion pressure wasn't the main driver as described here.
2. Analyze the second option: Alexander II recognized serfdom as inhumane, and the military defeat in the Crimean War (which showed Russia's backwardness due to serfdom - based economy and society) prompted him to enact social reform (emancipation of serfs) to modernize Russia. This aligns with historical facts.
3. Analyze the third option: The Edict of Emancipation (1861) did not mark the end of the Crimean War (the Crimean War ended in 1856), and the Crimean War was not fought over serfdom in Russia.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The Edict of Emancipation abolished serfdom, not established the feudal system (serfdom was part of the feudal system, and the edict moved away from feudalism). Also, the description is factually incorrect.

Answer:

B. Alexander II saw serfdom as inhumane, and the military loss in the Crimean War prompted Alexander II to enact social reform, which led to the emancipation of Russia’s serfs.