Explain why Russian serfs were granted their freedom in 1861

Tsar Alexander II of Russia signed the declaration abolishing serfdom in 1861 for a number of reasons, all of which combined to create a situation in which the system of serfdom became untenable in Russia. In a speech given in 1859, Alexander announced that it would be better to abolish serfdom from above than below, indicating that he felt there was a risk of serf revolt bringing down the system, particularly in light of the recent surge in radical left wing activists seeking to politicise the serfs. Additionally, Russia's defeat in the Crimean War had signaled a national crisis, with many in government questioning how best to modernise Russia's outdated military. Serfdom was largely kept in place until that point to allow for a system of forced lifetime conscription to fill the ranks of the army. It soon became accepted among reformist members of the government that abolition of serfdom and reform of the military were too closely linked to achieve separately.