Heyday History_of_serfdom

serfdom reached eastern europe centuries later western europe—it became dominant around 15th century. before time, eastern europe had been more sparsely populated western europe, , lords of eastern europe created peasantry-friendly environment encourage migration east. serfdom developed in eastern europe after black death epidemics of mid-14th century, stopped eastward migration. resulting high land-to-labour ratio - combined eastern europe s vast, sparsely populated areas - gave lords incentive bind remaining peasantry land. increased demand agricultural produce in western europe during later era when western europe limited , abolished serfdom, serfdom remained in force throughout eastern europe during 17th century nobility-owned estates produce more agricultural products (especially grain) profitable export market.

this pattern applied in central , eastern european countries, including prussia (prussian ordinances of 1525), austria, hungary (laws of late 15th , 16th centuries), polish-lithuanian commonwealth (szlachta privileges of 16th century) , russian empire (laws of late 16th , first half of 17th century). led slower industrial development , urbanisation of regions. generally, process, referred second serfdom or export-led serfdom , persisted until mid-19th century , became repressive , substantially limited serfs rights. before 1861 abolition of serfdom in russia, landowner s estate measured number of souls owned, practice made famous gogol s 1842 novel dead souls.

many of these countries abolished serfdom during napoleonic invasions of 19th century. serfdom remained in force in of russia until emancipation reform of 1861, enacted on february 19, 1861, though in russian-controlled baltic provinces had been abolished @ beginning of 19th century. according russian census of 1857, russia had 23.1 million private serfs.

russian serfdom perhaps notable eastern european institution, never influenced german law , migrations, , serfdom , manorial system enforced crown (tsar), not nobility.