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Serfdom developed in Eastern Europe after the Black Death epidemics of the mid-14th century, which stopped the eastward migration. The resulting high land-to-labour ratio - combined with Eastern Europe's vast, sparsely populated areas - gave the lords an incentive to bind the remaining peasantry to their land.
As slavery gradually disappeared and the legal status of servi became nearly identical to that of the coloni, the term changed meaning into the modern concept of "serf". The word "serf" is first recorded in English in the late 15th century, and came to its current definition in the 17th century. Serfdom was coined in 1850. [citation needed]
Despite these efforts, the reforms were short-lived due to the uprising’s failure. [6] Serfdom in Polish territories was ultimately abolished in the 19th century under foreign rule following the Partitions of Poland. In Prussian-controlled areas, serfdom was abolished through the Stein–Hardenberg reforms between 1807 and 1816
Constitution abolishes serfdom. [96] Prussia: The Stein-Hardenberg Reforms abolish serfdom. [96] Michigan Territory: Judge Augustus Woodward denies the return of two slaves owned by a man in Windsor, Upper Canada. Woodward declares that any man "coming into this Territory is by law of the land a freeman." [97] 1808 United States
Serfdom in Poland existed on the territory of the Kingdom of Poland during the rule of the Piast dynasty in the Middle Ages. [1] It continued to exist in various forms until late in the 14th century when it was supplanted by the institution of serfdom , which has often been considered a form of modified slavery.
The end of serfdom is also debated, with Georges Duby pointing to the early 12th century as a rough end point for "serfdom in the strict sense of the term". [186] Other historians dispute this assertion, citing discussions and the mention of serfdom as an institution during later dates (such as in 13th century England , or in Central Europe ...
The reforms of the Congress Kingdom of Poland did not change the peasant situation significantly. [2] The years 1830-1850 saw a raising conflict between the serfs, anti-serfdom activists and pro-serfdom governments, with increasing unrest and peasant rebellions particularly in Prussia and Austria. [2]
Serfdom disappeared from the records in the fourteenth century and new social groups of labourers, craftsmen and merchants, became important in the developing burghs. This led to increasing social tensions in urban society, but, in contrast to England and France, there was a lack of major unrest in Scottish rural society, where there was ...