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*Kholopstvo*, an earlier form of slavery, was abolished by Catherine the Great in 1723.
Answer: False
Explanation: *Kholopstvo* was abolished by Peter I in 1723, not Catherine the Great.
The origins of serfdom in Russia can be traced back to the 12th century, involving practices like 'zakups' and 'corvée smerds'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The origins of serfdom in Russia are indeed traced to the 12th century, with 'zakups' and 'corvée smerds' being early forms of exploitation.
The *Russkaya Pravda* granted princely smerds extensive property and personal rights, with their property passing to their heirs upon death.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Russkaya Pravda* granted princely smerds limited property and personal rights, with their property transferring to the prince as escheat upon their death.
The *Sudebnik of 1497* officially confirmed the restriction on peasant movement to a period around Yuri's Day and established a 'pozhiloye' fee.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Sudebnik of 1497* indeed restricted peasant movement to a period around Yuri's Day and introduced the 'pozhiloye' fee.
The *Sudebnik of 1550* decreased the 'pozhiloye' fee and abolished the 'za povoz' transportation fee, thereby easing peasant dependency.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Sudebnik of 1550* actually increased the 'pozhiloye' fee and introduced an additional 'za povoz' fee, thus strengthening peasant dependency.
The ukase of 1597 under Boris Godunov introduced 'forbidden years' which permanently prohibited peasants from leaving their masters, effectively binding them in full serfdom.
Answer: True
Explanation: The ukase of 1597 introduced 'forbidden years' that temporarily, and later permanently, prohibited peasants from leaving their masters, leading to full serfdom.
The *Sobornoye Ulozhenie* of 1649 granted Russian landowners unlimited ownership over their serfs, including the right to kill them.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the *Sobornoye Ulozhenie* granted landowners almost unlimited ownership, they were explicitly forbidden from killing their serfs.
When was *kholopstvo*, an earlier form of slavery in Russia, abolished?
Answer: 1723
Explanation: *Kholopstvo* was abolished by Peter I in 1723.
The origins of serfdom in Russia can be traced back to which century?
Answer: 12th century
Explanation: The origins of serfdom in Russia can be traced back to the 12th century.
According to the *Russkaya Pravda*, what happened to a princely smerd's property upon their death?
Answer: It was transferred to the prince as escheat.
Explanation: The *Russkaya Pravda* stipulated that a princely smerd's property transferred to the prince as escheat upon their death.
The *Sudebnik of 1497* restricted the right of peasants to leave their master to a period around which specific day?
Answer: Yuri's Day
Explanation: The *Sudebnik of 1497* restricted peasant movement to a period around Yuri's Day (November 26).
How did the *Sudebnik of 1550* impact peasant dependency?
Answer: It increased the 'pozhiloye' fee and introduced an additional 'za povoz' fee.
Explanation: The *Sudebnik of 1550* increased the 'pozhiloye' fee and introduced a 'za povoz' fee, thereby strengthening peasant dependency.
What was the purpose of the 'fixed years' introduced by the ukase of 1597 under Boris Godunov?
Answer: To establish a 5-year period for searching for and returning runaway peasants.
Explanation: The 'fixed years' introduced in 1597 established a 5-year period for the search and return of runaway peasants.
Which legal framework in 1649 formally assigned serfs to estates and granted landowners almost unlimited ownership over them?
Answer: The *Sobornoye Ulozhenie*
Explanation: The *Sobornoye Ulozhenie* of 1649 was the legal framework that formally assigned serfs to estates and granted landowners extensive control.
What was the one explicit limit on a landowner's power over their serfs according to the *Sobornoye Ulozhenie*?
Answer: They were forbidden from killing the serf.
Explanation: The *Sobornoye Ulozhenie* explicitly forbade landowners from killing their serfs, despite granting them extensive other powers.
Why did major landowners and southern dvoryane advocate for shorter 'fixed years' for searching runaway peasants?
Answer: Because most runaways typically fled to the southern parts of Russia.
Explanation: Southern landowners advocated for shorter 'fixed years' because runaways often fled to the south, making recovery easier with a shorter search period.
Peter III's 1762 reforms included ending mandatory military service for nobles, which removed a key justification for their control over serfs.
Answer: True
Explanation: Peter III's 1762 reform ending mandatory military service for nobles indeed removed a primary justification for their landownership and control over serfs.
Catherine II completely abolished the cruel treatment of serfs by estate owners through a series of strict decrees in 1775.
Answer: False
Explanation: Catherine II took measures to prosecute cruel estate owners in 1775, but these were limited interventions, not a complete abolition of cruel treatment, which continued to be addressed in later decades.
Alexander I's reforms included liberating serfs in Estonia, Livonia, and Courland in the early 19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alexander I did liberate serfs in Estonia (1816), Livonia (1816), and Courland (1817) as part of his early reforms.
Alexander I consistently expanded serf rights throughout his reign, never reversing any of his reforms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Alexander I reversed some of his reforms in 1822-23, forbidding serfs from complaining to authorities and restoring landlords' right to exile peasants to Siberia.
Nicholas I's 'decree on obliged peasants' in 1842 granted peasants full ownership of their plots upon emancipation, without further duties to the landlord.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'decree on obliged peasants' granted peasants use of plots, not ownership, and they were still required to perform duties for the landlord.
Which two key measures did Peter III introduce in 1762 that indirectly influenced the abolition of serfdom?
Answer: He ended mandatory military service for nobles and secularized church estates.
Explanation: Peter III's 1762 reforms included ending mandatory military service for nobles and secularizing church estates, both indirectly impacting serfdom.
Which of the following was NOT a reform introduced by Alexander I concerning serfs?
Answer: Restoring landlords' right to exile peasants to Siberia.
Explanation: Alexander I initially cancelled the right to exile peasants to Siberia, but later *restored* this right as part of his reversals, meaning it was not a reform *introduced* to expand serf rights.
Why did Alexander I reverse some of his serfdom reforms in 1822-23?
Answer: Due to changes in the domestic political course.
Explanation: Alexander I reversed some of his reforms due to shifts in the domestic political course.
Which of the following was a measure taken by Nicholas I to mitigate serfdom without abolishing it?
Answer: He banned the sale of serfs at public auctions with family splitting.
Explanation: Nicholas I banned the sale of serfs at public auctions with family splitting as one of his measures to mitigate serfdom.
Serfdom was highly efficient for agriculture, leading to significant improvements in land yields due to serf labor.
Answer: False
Explanation: Serfdom was largely inefficient for agriculture, resulting in low and stagnant yields due to a lack of incentive for both serfs and nobles to improve the land.
Major rebellions like those of Stenka Razin and Yemelyan Pugachev were primarily directed at abolishing the institution of serfdom itself.
Answer: False
Explanation: These rebellions were not primarily aimed at abolishing serfdom as an institution; rather, peasants often joined as Cossacks to escape their serf status.
The newspaper *Kolokol* was instrumental in publicizing the abuses of serfdom within Russia, but its influence did not extend to Europe.
Answer: False
Explanation: *Kolokol* was published in London and Geneva and specifically drew international attention to the abuses of serfdom, indicating its influence extended to Europe.
The Russian state supported serfdom partly because conscripted serfs significantly increased the size of its military.
Answer: True
Explanation: Military conscription of serfs was a key reason the Russian state supported serfdom, as it provided a large military force.
By 1859, only a small fraction, about 20%, of all serfs were mortgaged to state credit institutions.
Answer: False
Explanation: By 1859, a significant majority, 66%, of all serfs were mortgaged to state credit institutions, not 20%.
Bourgeois individuals were never permitted to own serfs in Russia, as serf ownership was exclusively reserved for the nobility.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bourgeois individuals were permitted to own serfs during specific periods (1721–62 and 1798–1816) to encourage industrialization.
Russian literature and art often depicted serfdom, contributing to calls for social reform by highlighting the harsh realities of serf life.
Answer: True
Explanation: Prominent Russian authors and artists used serfdom as a backdrop, portraying its realities and contributing to calls for social reform.
How did serfdom generally impact agricultural efficiency in Russia?
Answer: It resulted in low and stagnant yields due to lack of incentive.
Explanation: Serfdom was largely inefficient, leading to low and stagnant agricultural yields because neither serfs nor nobles had sufficient incentive for improvement.
What was a key characteristic of major rebellions involving serfs, such as those led by Stenka Razin and Yemelyan Pugachev?
Answer: Peasants often joined as Cossacks to escape their peasant status.
Explanation: These rebellions saw peasants joining Cossack movements primarily to escape their serf status, rather than to abolish serfdom as an institution.
What was the primary role of the newspaper *Kolokol* regarding serfdom?
Answer: To collect and publicize cases of serf abuse, drawing international attention.
Explanation: *Kolokol* played a crucial role in exposing and publicizing the abuses of serfdom, garnering international attention.
What was the percentage of all serfs mortgaged to state credit institutions by 1859?
Answer: 66%
Explanation: By 1859, 66% of all serfs were mortgaged to state credit institutions.
During which periods were bourgeois individuals permitted to own serfs in Russia?
Answer: 1721–62 and 1798–1816
Explanation: Bourgeois individuals were permitted to own serfs during the periods of 1721–62 and 1798–1816.
Which prominent Russian authors used serfdom as a backdrop in their literature, portraying serf characters with emotional depth?
Answer: Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky
Explanation: Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky are noted for using serfdom as a backdrop in their literature, portraying serf characters with emotional depth.
Serfdom in Russia was abolished by Emperor Nicholas I in 1861, making it one of the first European countries to do so.
Answer: False
Explanation: Serfdom was abolished by Emperor Alexander II in 1861, not Nicholas I. Furthermore, Russia's abolition occurred later than in many other European countries.
One of the primary reasons for the abolition of serfdom was the government's concern about a potential large-scale peasant revolt.
Answer: True
Explanation: Scholars identify the government's fear of a large-scale peasant revolt as a key reason for the abolition of serfdom.
After serfdom was abolished in Estland, Courland, and Livonia, all the land was immediately transferred to the peasants.
Answer: False
Explanation: After serfdom was abolished in these Baltic provinces, all the land remained in the hands of the nobility, and labor rent continued for decades.
The nobility was too weak to effectively oppose the emancipation of serfs due to widespread mortgaging of their serfs and estates.
Answer: True
Explanation: The extensive mortgaging of serfs and estates, along with other factors, significantly weakened the nobility's ability to oppose emancipation.
Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna played a significant behind-the-scenes role in supporting Alexander II's emancipation reform.
Answer: True
Explanation: Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna actively supported and guided Alexander II in his reform efforts, mobilizing advisors for the cause.
Serfdom was abolished in Kalmykia in 1861, at the same time as the main emancipation reform.
Answer: False
Explanation: Serfdom in Kalmykia was abolished much later, in 1892, not in 1861.
Following the 1861 emancipation, peasants often received highly fertile and contiguous plots of land at below-market prices.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peasants often received less fertile, non-contiguous plots at prices higher than market value, and had to pay a redemption fee.
A 2018 study found that the abolition of serfdom led to significant negative economic impacts, including decreased agricultural productivity.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 2018 study found that the abolition of serfdom led to 'substantial increases in agricultural productivity, industrial output, and peasants' nutrition,' indicating positive economic impacts.
After the 1861 emancipation, the household patriarch gained more power as he could rely on landowner intervention to enforce obedience.
Answer: False
Explanation: After emancipation, the household patriarch lost some traditional power because landowner intervention was no longer available to enforce obedience, and younger generations gained independence.
Which emperor was responsible for officially abolishing serfdom in Russia in 1861?
Answer: Alexander II
Explanation: Emperor Alexander II officially abolished serfdom in Russia through his emancipation reform of 1861.
Which of the following was NOT a key reason scholars proposed for the abolition of serfdom?
Answer: A sudden, widespread serf uprising demanding freedom
Explanation: While fear of revolt was a factor, a sudden, widespread uprising demanding freedom is not listed as a primary reason for abolition; rather, it was a concern that contributed to the government's decision.
What was the status of land ownership in Estland, Courland, and Livonia after serfdom was abolished there?
Answer: All the land remained in the hands of the nobility.
Explanation: After serfdom was abolished in these Baltic provinces, all land remained with the nobility, and peasants continued to pay labor rent.
What was a significant factor contributing to the nobility's inability to effectively oppose the emancipation of serfs?
Answer: The extensive mortgaging of their serfs and estates.
Explanation: The extensive mortgaging of serfs and estates was a major factor in the nobility's weakened position to oppose emancipation.
When was serfdom abolished in Kalmykia?
Answer: 1892
Explanation: Serfdom was abolished in Kalmykia in 1892.
According to a 2018 study, what was a positive economic impact of the abolition of serfdom?
Answer: Substantial increases in agricultural productivity
Explanation: A 2018 study found that the abolition of serfdom led to substantial increases in agricultural productivity, industrial output, and peasants' nutrition.
How did the emancipation of serfs in 1861 affect the power dynamics within peasant households?
Answer: Younger generations gained more independence by earning their own wages.
Explanation: The emancipation led to a decrease in the household patriarch's power and increased independence for younger generations who could earn their own wages.
'Barshchina' was a levy or payment made to the landowner, while 'obrok' was obligatory work on the landowner's land.
Answer: False
Explanation: The definitions are reversed: 'barshchina' was obligatory work, and 'obrok' was a levy or payment.
Paul I's 1797 ukase described a 'barshchina' of three days a week as a normal and sufficient amount of labor.
Answer: True
Explanation: Paul I's 1797 ukase indeed described three days a week of 'barshchina' as normal and sufficient.
The Russian Orthodox Church's rules allowed serf marriages to occur at any time of the year, including during fasting periods.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Russian Orthodox Church had strict rules prohibiting marriage during fasting periods, on the eve or day of holidays, and at other specific times, concentrating marriages into certain months.
After 1830, the minimum marriage age for serf women was 16 and for men was 18.
Answer: True
Explanation: The minimum marriage ages for serfs were raised to 16 for women and 18 for men after 1830.
In the Central Black Earth Region, the majority of serfs performed 'obrok' (payments) rather than 'barshchina' (labor services).
Answer: False
Explanation: In the Central Black Earth Region, 70-77% of serfs performed 'barshchina' (labor services), meaning the majority performed labor, not payments.
What were the two main types of labor and obligations performed by serfs?
Answer: Barshchina and Obrok
Explanation: The two main types of labor and obligations performed by serfs were 'barshchina' (labor) and 'obrok' (payments).
What was the typical extent of 'barshchina' described by Paul I's 1797 ukase?
Answer: Three days a week
Explanation: Paul I's 1797 ukase described a 'barshchina' of three days a week as normal and sufficient.
Which months were most marriages concentrated in due to Russian Orthodox Church rules before 1861?
Answer: January, February, October, November
Explanation: Due to Orthodox Church rules prohibiting marriage during fasting and holidays, most marriages were concentrated in January, February, October, and November.
What was the minimum marriage age for serf women after 1830?
Answer: 16 years old
Explanation: After 1830, the minimum marriage age for serf women was raised to 16 years old.
In the Central Black Earth Region, what percentage of serfs performed 'barshchina' (labor services)?
Answer: 70-77%
Explanation: In the Central Black Earth Region, 70-77% of serfs performed 'barshchina' (labor services).