Atlantic Slavery Vs Russian Serfdom

In the early modern era (1450-1750), Atlantic slavery and Russian serfdom were similar in terms of how they gained their freedom through decrees from above and how they were completely controlled by their owners, having little to no rights. However, Atlantic slaves were Africans, not native in the area, and enslaved due to race, while Russian serfs were native and were not forced into labor due to their race.

Both Atlantic slaves and Russian serfs attempted to gain freedom from slavery or serfdom through revolts, but only one revolution was actually successful. Pugachev’s Rebellion was a revolt against serfdom in 1773 as the serfs and peasants fought to be free from their lords and even to gain land of their own. They were angry about their

The Atlantic slaves in America were not freed until the Emancipation Proclamation from President Lincoln in 1863. Before this proclamation, the slaves were considered property of their owners, and depending on the owner, had basically no rights, and were often treated cruelly. Even after the proclamation, although the slaves were now free, it was difficult to find a job or become free of their owners turned employers. Africans were still discriminated against, and overall, not much changed other than the slaves being legally free. A similar process occurred in Russian Serfdom. The serfs were not freed until Alexander II freed them in Alexander II’s Emancipation Decree of 1861. Before this, although the serfs were technically not slaves, laws were passed allowing slaves to be bought, sold, given in a will or gambled. It was also eventually made hereditary, with the children of the serfs also being serfs. After the emancipation, just like in America, not much changed for the serfs. Many were still in lots of debt to the nobles whose land they worked, and they had nowhere else to go and no other job to make money. Most serfs were forced to stay in the same place and continue working for the same owners. Therefore, even though both slaves and serfs were freed by those in charge of their country, life pretty much stayed the same for both with them being stuck where they were and poverty, debt or discrimination preventing them from finding a new job. The only thing that really changed was that they were legally