Serfdom - a form of peasant dependence, consisting in attaching peasants to the land and their subordination to judicial and administrative power of the landlord-feudal.Formed it is sufficiently long.
Serfdom (serfdom) born in the feudal system.While fragmentation in the Russian state was not a single law that would define the duties and rights of peasants.
In the 15th century people were free to leave the land and move to the territory of another landowner after payment of debts and taxes are still the owner.But even then, the princes began to be issued special certificates that restrict movement of the peasants.As a result, the villagers could move from one landlord to another only during the week before St. George's Day.
Serfdom legally started to take shape as early as the reign of Ivan III.During his reign he was adopted by a single body of law of Law in 1497.57th article of his limited formal right to move the peasants weeks before and the week after St George's Day.When leaving the landowner should be compensated.
Mikhail Romanov, began his reign in 1613, contributed to the further enslavement of the rural population.He extended the investigation of runaway peasants, together with the start of practice for sale or transfer of the peasants without land allotment.
Alexei Romanov, who became king in 1645, spent a few changes.In the first place, an autocrat changed the order of incurring obligations and charging.It was also expected to increase due to indirect taxes replenish the treasury.As a result, in 1648, in early June, in Moscow there was "Salt Riot", which is precisely the reason was to increase the tax on salt.After this uprising were also held in several other cities.
In such circumstances, Alexis produces changes in the administrative apparatus.In 1649, it developed and approved by one of the most important documents in the Russian criminal, civil and public law - the Conciliar The Code.In accordance with the contents of its special chapter - "Court of the peasants" - serfdom became hereditary, and the landlord was entitled to dispose of all the property of the peasant.
Subsequently, the rural population contributed to the development of the productive forces in the country, providing a solution to a number of foreign policy objectives.Thus it was formed some of the prerequisites for reform during the subsequent reign of Peter the Great.
changes the peasants took place in the era of the reign of Elizabeth.Empress strengthened the power of the landlords.At the same time it reduced the size of the poll tax arrears and just peasants.
In 1767 Catherine II convenes the Legislative Commission.Its aim was to overcome the disadvantages of legislation and identify moods and needs of Russian society.In 1760 - 70 years in the country, a wave of revolts.The most large-scale was the performance of Pugachev.
In the 18th century serfdom was beginning to experience a crisis of the system.However, the Russian economy was developing quite well, adapting to new conditions.
However, inside the peasant class began a bundle.Gradually I began to allocate the rural bourgeoisie, which is a peasant owners (public, largely).In 1801. They were able to buy empty plots of land and take the land from the landlords to rent.
During the reign of Alexander the Great passed a law "On the free cultivators" (1803).The decree called for the release for ransom, and by mutual agreement of the landowners and the peasants.
In 1818, Alexander I tried to hold the peasant reform.As a result of a number of projects prepared by the emperor approved the project Guryev (Minister of Finance), and Arakcheev on which assumed gradual elimination of serfdom by the redemption of the peasants.
manifesto abolishing serfdom was adopted by Alexander II in 1861, February 19.In addition, the emperor had been signed and all the provisions of the reform.From this point of serfdom officially ceased to exist.
