Despite all its disadvantages, serfhood was the primary means by which the unity of the nation was preserved.

At the same time you must consider that I am only a serf on this estate: that I am owner of nothing here. It is necessary therefore, that my master should be made acquainted with the business, and that we should have his consent.

When was serfdom abolished in Russia?

At the end of 2012, the Belarusian president re-introduced serfdom by forbidding the workers of Borisovdrev to quit their jobs.

Serfdom in Russia was only abolished in 1861.