Ex-serfs found themselves moving to towns to become industry workers. Industrialization was growing stronger due to the large number of ex-serfs who needed work. This started them on their way to higher social standing and wealth. It was the downfall of the nobility and the rising of the lower class. .
Chekhov witnessed forests of trees cut down to develop Russian neighborhoods and encourage industrialization. As a child Chekhov would spend family vacations at a family friend's house that had a huge cherry orchard. He hated how his memories were destroyed. .
As an adult Chekhov loved gardening and planted a cherry orchard on an estate that he had purchased in 1892. When he sold the estate and the new owner cut down the orchard he had planted. He was upset to see something he loved so much be destroyed by someone else. (University) .
The main character in The Cherry Orchard is the landowner of the cherry orchard, Lyubov. She has just returned from Paris to the estate. It has been handed down to her through generations of her family and she is left to take care of it. Lyubov is a member of the Russian upper class. She grew up wealthy and has never learned how to manage her money. She is very irresponsible when it comes to her finances and often hands out money that she claims she does not have: "I haven't any money, my dove.oh, very well.give it to him, Leonid." (Stages, 671) Lyubov dines lavishly and tips handsomely when in all actuality she hasn't a dime to spare. She finds herself going into debt and not being able to pay the mortgage for the house and cherry orchard. Unless she pays the mortgage everything will be put up for auction. .
This is exactly what was happening to all nobility in Russia at this time. Their elaborate spending and numerous debts were causing them to loose everything they have. Another connection to the era is the traveling of Lyubov from Paris to Russia.