Society for Serfs (1762-96) Flashcards
What was Catherine’s opinion of serfdom?
Disliked it and favoured it’s abolition
(1760’s) influenced by abolitionist advisers
(1766) Free Economic Society awarded prize for an essay on serf problem to an abolitionist composition
Seen in Nakaz
Why were serfs not freed?
Catherine’s fundamental belief in the primacy of agriculture
Importance of servile labour to an overwhelming agrarian economy
Social, ideological and security motives for not freeing serfs?
Imprudent to anger nobles
Peasantry presumed lazy and needed supervision
Could lead to uncontrollable peasant unrest
Undermine god-given social hierarchy
Army relied on conscripted serfs
By the end, what was Catherine’s position with serfdom?
Wavering between basic abhorrence of serfdom and practical problems of gov.
Concerned about mistreatment of serfs
Confirmed traditional rights of nobles so no room for widespread reform
Who were serfs?
Unfree peasants bound to their lords estate
–> provide labour, taxes and military srvice
What happened in 1723?
Slaves turned into serfs
–> be subjected to tax
Who were slaves?
10% pop. and not viable for tax or conscription
WHat was serfdom like in the early years?
Expansion and deepening of serfdom
What happened in 1721?
Individual Industrial businesses could purchase villages
–> possessional peasants
How much of pop. were serfs in 1719?
35.8%
What was serfdom like at the end of Peter’s reign?
Serfdom extended and strengthened
–> ascription spread serfdom into industry
1730 serfs rule?
Forbidden to own any land
What was serfs like in 1732?
Could be sold like cattle
What did Peter II do for serfs?
Removed right for serfs to be free in return for military service
What did ELizabeth do for serfs?
Selling serfs w/o land was common
Landlords exiled some to Siberia
–> populated isberia and landlord more power
