legal registration status depending peasants called serfdom.This phenomenon is characterized by the development of society in the countries of Eastern and Western Europe.Formation of serfdom connected with the evolution of feudal relations.
origin of serfdom in Europe
essence of feudal dependence of peasants from the land owner was to control the individual serf.It can be bought, sold, prohibit travel within the country or city to control even questions of his personal life.
As feudal relations have developed depending on the particular region, and serfdom took shape in different states at different times.In Western Europe, it is stuck in the Middle Ages.In England, France, Germany, serfdom was abolished in the XVII century.Reforms relating to the release of the peasants, rich in the Enlightenment.Eastern and Central Europe - regions where feudal relationship lasted longer.In Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary serfdom was beginning to take shape in the XV-XVI centuries.It is interesting that in the Nordic countries according to the norms of feudal peasants from feudal lords did not happen.
The characteristics and conditions of feudal dependence
history of serfdom allows us to trace the characteristic features of the state and social system in which relationships are formed depending on the peasants by rich landowners:
- presence of a strong central authority.
- Social differentiation through ownership.
- low level of education.
At an early stage of development of feudal relations purposes enslavement was the attachment of the peasant to the landowner's land holdings and to prevent the flight of workers.Legal norms to regulate the process of payment of taxes - the lack of population movements facilitates the collection of tribute.During the period of developed feudalism bans have become more diverse.Now, the farmer is not only able to move independently from place to place, but did not have the right and opportunity to purchase real estate, the land had to pay a certain sum to the landlord for the right to work at its sites.Restrictions on the lower strata of the population of different regional and depend on the characteristics of the development of society.
origins of serfdom in Russia
process of enslavement in Russia - at the level of legal rules - began in the XV century.Cancel the personal dependence was made much later than in other European countries.According to the census, the number of serfs in different areas of the country was different.Dependent peasants at the beginning of the XIX century began to gradually move to other estates.
researchers are looking for the origins and causes of serfdom in Russia in the events of the Old Russian state.Forming social relationships took place under the presence of a strong central government - at least during the years 100-200, during the reign of Vladimir the Great and Yaroslav the Wise.The main body of laws at the time was the "Russian Truth".It contained provisions that regulated relations free and unfree peasants and landowners.Associates were slaves, servants, purchase, ryadovichi - they got into bondage under different circumstances.Smerdy were relatively free - they paid tribute and had the right to land.
Mongol invasion and became the feudal fragmentation causes disintegration of Russia.Earth once united state became part of Poland, Lithuania, Muscovy.New attempts were made in the enslavement of the XV century.
beginning of the formation of feudal dependence
In XV-XVI centuries on the territory of the former Russia was formed manorial system.The farmer used the plots landlord under the terms of the agreement.Legally, he was a free man.The farmer could get away from the landowner to another place, but to banish it could not last.The only limitation - it was impossible to leave the site until you pay it to the owner.
first attempt to restrict the rights of the peasants was made by Ivan III.The author of "Code of Law" approved conversion to other lands for a week before and after the St. George's Day.In 1581, a decree was issued banning exit peasants in certain years.But this does not attach them to a specific area.The decree of November 1597 endorsed the need to return to the landlord runaway workers.In 1613 power in Muscovy came Romanov dynasty - they increased the terms of the search and return of runaway.About
Council Code
In what year was the design of serfdom legal norm?Officially, the dependent status of the peasantry was approved by the Council Code 1649.The document is very different from previous acts.The main idea of the Legal Code regulating relations in the field of landlord and peasant was to ban the latest move to other towns and villages.As the residence was secured territory where people live by the census 1620s.Another fundamental difference between the rules of law code - the allegation that the search for the fugitive becomes perpetual.The rights of peasants were limited - the document is almost equated them to tell peasants.The farm belonged to an employee master.
Home serfdom - is a series of restrictions on movement.But there were and regulations that protect against arbitrariness of the landowner.The farmer could not complain or sue, could not be deprived of land by a decision of the gentlemen.
In general, these rules were fixed serfdom.Years went out to complete the full registration of feudal dependence.
history of serfdom in Russia
After the Council Code has appeared several documents, which fixed the status of dependent peasants.Finally, it is attached to a specific place of residence tax reform 1718-1724 period.Gradually constraints have led to the design of the slave of the peasants.In 1747, landowners were given the right to sell their employee recruits, and after 13 years - sent into exile in Siberia.
first farmer had the opportunity to complain to the landowner, but in 1767 it was canceled.In 1783-m serfdom spread to the territory of the Left-Bank Ukraine.All laws, confirming the feudal dependence, protect only the rights of landowners.
Any documents aimed at improving the situation of the peasants, in fact ignored.Paul I decreed three days of serfdom, but in fact the work lasted 5-6 days.Since 1833 the landowners received a legally enforceable right to dispose of the personal life of serfdom.
Stages serfdom allowed to review all milestones fixing peasant dependence.
eve reforms
crisis of land began to be felt at the end of the XVIII century.This situation hindered the progress of society and the development of capitalist relations.Serfdom was the wall that separates Russia from the civilized countries of Europe.
Interestingly, there was no feudal dependence on the entire territory of the country.Serfdom was not in the Caucasus, the Far East, in the Asian provinces.At the beginning of the XIX century it was abolished in Courland, Livonia.Alexander I issued a law on free cultivators.The aim was to ease the pressure on farmers.
Nicholas I made an attempt to create a commission that would develop a document abolishing serfdom.The elimination of this kind, depending let landlords.The emperor ordered the liberation of peasant landowners to give him the land that he could handle.The consequence of this law are known - landlords ceased to liberate serfs.
complete abolition of serfdom in Russia will be made a son of Nicholas I - Alexander II.
reasons for agrarian reform
serfdom hindered the development of the state.The abolition of serfdom in Russia has become a historical necessity.Unlike many European countries, Russia less developed industry and trade.The reason for that was the lack of motivation and interest of workers of their labor.Serfdom was a brake on the development of market relations and the completion of the industrial revolution.In many European countries it has successfully ended in the early XIX century.
Landlord farming and feudal relationship building ceased to be effective - they are outdated and do not correspond to historical realities.Serf labor did not justify itself.The dependent position of farmers is completely deprived of their rights, and gradually became a catalyst for rebellion.Social discontent grew.There was a need to reform serfdom.The issue required a professional approach.
important event, the consequence of which was the reform of 1861, is the Crimean War, in which Russia was defeated.Social problems and foreign policy failures point to unproductive domestic and foreign policy.
opinions of serfdom
Drinking serfdom expressed by many writers, politicians, explorers, thinkers.Credible accounts of the life of the peasants were censored.Since the beginning of the existence of serfdom there were several opinions about him.We distinguish two main opposite.Some considered such a relationship pattern for the monarchical state system.Serfdom was called historically conditioned consequence of patriarchal relations, useful for the education of the population and the urgent need for the full and effective economic development.Second, opposite the first position indicates feudal dependence as immoral phenomenon.Serfdom, according to fans of this concept destroys the social and political system and the economy of the country.Proponents of the second position can be called Herzen, Aksakov.Publication A. Savelyev denies any negative aspects of serfdom.The author writes that the statements about the disaster is far from the truth of the peasants.The reform of 1861 has also generated mixed reviews.
Development Reform Project
first Emperor Alexander II spoke about the likelihood of the abolition of serfdom in 1856.One year later, the committee was convened, which was to develop the project of reform.It is composed of 11 people.The Commission concluded that it is necessary to create special committees in each province.They have to study the situation on the ground and make the amendments and recommendations.In 1857, this project has been legalized.The main idea of the original plan for the abolition of serfdom - the elimination of personal dependence, while maintaining the rights of landowners to the ground.It provides for a transition period for the adaptation of society to reform.Possible abolition of serfdom in Russia has caused misunderstanding among the landowners.The newly formed Committee also conducted the struggle over the conditions of reform.In 1858 it was decided to ease the pressure on farmers and not to cancel dependency.The most successful project developed Y. Rostovtsev.The program provides for the abolition of personal dependence, securing transitional provision of land to the peasants.Conservative politicians did not like the project - they sought to limit the rights of the peasants and the size of holdings.In 1860, after the death of J. Rostovtseva, engaged in the development of the program V. Panin.
results of several years of work of the committees formed the basis for the abolition of serfdom.1861 in the history of Russia has become a landmark in every way.
Proclamation "Manifesto»
project agrarian reform formed the basis of the "Manifesto of the abolition of serfdom."The text of this document supplements the "Regulations on the peasants" - they are described in more detail all the subtleties of social and economic change.The abolition of serfdom in Russia was held February 19, 1861.On this day, the Emperor signed the manifesto and unveiled it.
program document abolished serfdom.Years unprogressive feudal relations in the past.At least that's what many people think.
main provisions of the document:
- Peasants received personal freedom, were considered "temporarily obligated."
- former serfs could be property, the right to self-government.
- peasants were given land, but they were supposed to work and pay for it.Obviously, the former serfs did not have the money to buy, so this option is formally renamed the personal dependence.
- landholdings determined landlords.
- Landowners received a guarantee from the State for the right of redemption transactions.Thus, the financial obligations laid down on the peasants.
following to your attention is invited to the table "Serfdom: the abolition of personal dependence."Analyze the positive and negative results of the reform.
positive | negative |
Getting personal civil liberties | remains limited movements |
right to enter freely into marriage, trade, applied to the Court to have the property | lack of opportunities to buy land actually returnspeasant serf position |
emergence of foundations for the development of market relations | rights of landlords were put above the rights of commoners |
peasants were not willing to work, did not know how to enter into the market.As landlords did not know how to live without serfs | |
exorbitant ransom land allotment | |
formation of a rural community.She was not a factor in the progressive development of society |
1861 in the history of Russia was a year of change in the social fabric.The feudal relations that were fixed in the society could no longer benefit.But the reform was not enough thought, so had a lot of negative consequences.
Russia after the reforms
consequences of serfdom, such as unwillingness to capitalist relations and the crisis for all classes, talk about delays and crudity of the proposed changes.On the reform of the farmers responded scale performances.Revolt covered a lot of provinces.During 1861 there were more than 1000 riots.
negative consequences of the abolition of serfdom, which are equally affected and the landlords, and the peasants, the economic impact on the state is not ready to change Russia.The reform abolished the existing long-term system of social and economic relations, but do not create a database and suggested ways of further development of the country in a new environment.Impoverished peasantry is now completely destroyed, and the oppression of the landlords, and the needs of the growing bourgeois class.The result was a deceleration in the capitalist development of the country.
Reform is not freed from the bondage of the peasants, but only took their last opportunity to feed their families at the expense of landlords are obliged by law to keep their serfs.Their holdings have decreased compared to the pre-reform.Instead of dues, which they practiced the landlord, there were huge payments of different character.In the rural community is almost completely taken away the right to use forests, meadows and ponds.The peasants were still powerless separate estate.And as they were considered as existing in a special legal regime.
landlords also suffered many losses because the reform has limited their economic interest.Monopoly on farmers eliminated the possibility of free use of the past for the development of agriculture.In fact, landlords forced to give farmers allotment land ownership.Reform of different contradictions and inconsistencies, lack of solutions for further development of society and the relations between the former slaves and the landlords.But, ultimately, it has opened a new historical period, which had a progressive value.
peasant reform was of great importance for the further formation and development of capitalism in Russia.Among the positive results can be identified as follows:
• After the liberation of the peasants there was intensive growth trend in the market of a non-professional force.