Throughout Russian history there have been many leaders who have tried to implement reforms to help shape the future of their nation. In doing so, some of these leaders have left a legacy for history books and scholars to contemplate. Alexander II, Nikita Khrushchev, and Mikhail Gorbachev each sought to rule over a sprawling empire by making it function more efficiently and effectively. Each one of these individuals is remembered in different ways for various reasons. It is the intent of this essay to discuss the reforms that were implemented by these leaders and the effects that were felt from their decisions.
             Alexander II implemented important reforms. It was his intent to change Russia to a super power. The abolition of serfdom, changes in national military, and change in foreign policy were results of his time in office. Russia would now refrain from oversea expansion and concentrate on strengthening its borders. Alexander II, in 1867, sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the United States. In 1861, Alexander II abolished serfdom. In doing so the serfs were allotted land according to which region they lived in and the soil quality. Unfortunately for the serfs, the nobles that they formerly served still owned the goods and land areas that the serfs needed to farm their land, this lead to the serfs having to rent resources leaving the nobles still in a position of some control. But, now the land owning nobles were upset because the state lacked the money to compensate them on the land that was lost to the serfs. This caused alienation between Alexander II and the nobles. Also, now that they had some freedom, the serfs wanted more. Alexander II had caused the nobles to distrust him and left the serfs wanting more. He had successfully put himself into a booby trap. Alexander II's reasons for freeing the serf's could be thought of as him being the "nice guy," but he truly was trying to stren...