Why was russia slow to modernize?

modernization was originally against the beliefs of the communists.

natural resources were difficult to locate and use.

russian serfs were reluctant to make changes that took them away from agriculture.

russian leaders resisted change.

answer:

the answer is   "russian leaders resisted change. "

explanation:

russian tsars were not willing to put limits on their powers or introduce social and political changes.   serfdom was suppressed quite late in comparison with western europe.   up until 1905, the year of a revolution, the   tsar was an absolute monarch. but the social unrest and protests forced the tsar to make concessions and accept some constitutional rights; he ceded some powers to a duma, a legislative body.