Russia's Chains
An in-depth academic analysis of serfdom, slave trade, and modern forms of involuntary servitude within the Russian context.
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Historical Overview
Introduction to Russian Unfreedom
While chattel slavery as understood in Western contexts has not been a dominant feature in Russia since the adoption of Christianity in the 10th century, the institution of serfdom profoundly shaped Russian society for centuries. Serfdom, legally abolished in 1861, shared many characteristics with slavery, binding individuals to the land and its owner. Contemporary reports indicate that forms of illegal, slavery-like conditions persist, affecting marginalized populations.
Serfdom vs. Slavery
The Russian term krepostnoi krestyanin translates to "serf," denoting an unfree person tied to land, distinct from a slave who could be owned individually. However, the practical limitations on movement, labor obligations, and the sale of serfs with land mirrored aspects of slavery. The legal framework evolved, granting landowners increasing power over serfs, particularly by the late 16th century, culminating in the prohibition of movement on specific days, effectively solidifying their bondage.
Contemporary Estimates
According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, approximately 1.89 million individuals, or 1.26% of the population, live in conditions considered illegal slavery under Russian law. This includes forced labor, forced prostitution, debt bondage, forced marriage, child exploitation, and penal labor, disproportionately affecting undocumented immigrants and marginalized groups, particularly from the Caucasus and former Soviet states.
The Institution of Serfdom
Evolution of Serfdom
In Kievan Rus' and the subsequent Grand Principality of Moscow, kholopy represented a significant unfree labor force. Individuals became kholopy through capture, self-sale, debt, criminal conviction, or marriage. Initially comprising a majority of land workers, the master's power over kholopy increased over centuries. Reforms by Tsars Alexei Mikhailovich and Peter the Great gradually altered these conditions, but the fundamental tie to the land persisted.
Household vs. Agricultural Serfs
By the 16th century, poverty was a primary driver for individuals becoming serfs, often serving as household servants. The Domostroy, a contemporary guide, advised on the proper treatment and selection of serfs. Slavery as an institution was formally converted into serfdom by Tsar Feodor III in 1679 for agricultural slaves, and Peter the Great extended this to household slaves in 1723. This conversion aimed to improve tax collection, as serfs were taxable, unlike slaves.
Emancipation
The institution of serfdom was finally abolished on February 19, 1861, by Tsar Alexander II's Emancipation Reform. State-owned serfs were emancipated in 1866. This reform marked a pivotal moment in Russian history, fundamentally altering the social and economic structure of the empire.
Slave Trade and Raids
Crimean-Nogai Raids
From the 15th century into the 18th century, East Slavic territories were subjected to frequent raids by the Golden Horde and later the Crimean Tatars. These raids resulted in the capture of thousands of inhabitants, who were then trafficked into the Crimean slave trade. Moscow itself was sacked multiple times, with captives sold into markets in Crimea and beyond. It is estimated that up to 75% of the Crimean population consisted of slaves at one point.
Baltic and Siberian Slave Trade
During the Great Northern War (1700-1721), Russian soldiers captured civilians from Swedish territories in Finland, Estonia, and Livonia. These captives, including children, were often sold into slavery, with some ending up in the Black Sea slave trade and Persia. In Siberia, indigenous groups like the Yakuts and Buryats practiced slavery on a smaller scale. Russian conquest led to the enslavement of natives, particularly women, who were traded for profit or used as concubines.
Trans-Regional Trafficking
Captured individuals, particularly from the Baltic regions, were sometimes sold in markets in Moscow. Swedish diplomats in Constantinople worked to ransom Swedish subjects captured by Russian soldiers, highlighting the extensive reach of these slave markets. The Russian government's policies regarding the conversion of native slaves in Siberia also reveal the complex interplay between tribute, religious conversion, and enslavement.
Regional Variations
Russia Proper
The historical trajectory of slavery and serfdom in Russia proper involved the gradual consolidation of power by landowners and the state over the unfree population. The distinction between slaves and serfs blurred over time, with legal reforms attempting to categorize and tax the labor force. The eventual abolition of serfdom in 1861 was a monumental, albeit complex, transition.
Baltic and Finnish Territories
During the period of Swedish rule and subsequent Russian conquest, the Baltic provinces and Finland experienced significant disruption. Slave raids by Russian soldiers during the Great Northern War led to the abduction and sale of many civilians. The Swedish ambassador's efforts to ransom captives in Constantinople underscore the international dimension of this trade.
Caucasus and Central Asia
The Russian conquest of the Caucasus and Central Asian khanates (Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva) in the 19th century led to the abolition of existing slave systems by the 1860s and 1870s. However, historical accounts mention notorious slave markets, such as in the Khanate of Khiva, and instances of Russian captives being held in slave-like conditions in the Northern Caucasus.
The Baltic and Swedish Context
Great Northern War Captives
Between the 16th century and the end of the Great Northern War (1700-1721), Russian slave traders conducted raids into Eastern Finland, trafficking Finns and Karelians. During the war, Russian soldiers captured numerous civilians from Swedish provinces, including Finland and the Baltics. These captives were sold into slavery, with some reaching the Black Sea and Persian markets, valued for their exotic appearance.
Swedish Efforts at Ransom
The Swedish ambassador to Constantinople, Thomas Funck, undertook missions to purchase Swedish subjects from slave markets. Records detail the purchase of individuals, including women and children, using Swedish funds. Despite these efforts, the limited financial resources and the high cost of many captives meant that numerous individuals remained enslaved within the Ottoman Empire.
The "Great Wrath"
The Russian invasion and occupation of Swedish Finland, known as the "Great Wrath" (1714-1721), involved widespread atrocities, including the abduction and enslavement of tens of thousands of people. Many were trafficked via Russia to Persia and the Middle East. The occupation led to significant depopulation, with many farmhouses left empty and thousands forced into labor for projects like the construction of Saint Petersburg.
Contemporary Slavery in Russia
Vulnerable Populations
Modern slavery in Russia often involves internal migrants from poorer regions and foreign nationals, particularly from Central Asia and the Caucasus. These individuals are frequently trafficked, sometimes through drugging and kidnapping, and forced into labor in sectors like brick factories and agriculture, especially in regions like Dagestan.
Irregular Migration and Exploitation
The status of irregular migrants makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Reports from 2009-2012 identified human trafficking and slavery involving Uzbek nationals. This vulnerability is exacerbated by factors such as language barriers, lack of legal status, and limited access to support systems, creating environments ripe for modern-day enslavement.
Legal Framework and Enforcement
While Russian law prohibits slavery-like conditions, the enforcement and prevalence of these practices remain significant concerns. The Global Slavery Index highlights the scale of the problem, indicating systemic issues that allow forced labor, prostitution, debt bondage, and other forms of involuntary servitude to persist, often targeting the most marginalized segments of society.
Scholarly References
Primary and Secondary Sources
The understanding of slavery and serfdom in Russia is built upon a foundation of historical chronicles, legal documents, and scholarly analyses. Contemporary research, including reports from organizations like the Global Slavery Index, provides crucial data on the persistence of modern slavery.
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References
References
- Supply of Slaves
- Historical survey > Slave societies
- Richard Hellie, Slavery in Russia, 1450-1725 (1984)
- Korpela, Jukka Jari (2018). Slaves from the North â Finns and Karelians in the East European Slave Trade, 900â1600. Studies in Global Slavery, Band: 5. Nederländerna: Brill. p. 237-238
- à berg, Alf, (in Swedish) Karolinska kvinnoöden ['Fates of Carolinian Women'], Natur och kultur, Stockholm, 1999
- à berg, Alf (1991). FÃ¥ngars elände: karolinerna i Ryssland 1700â1723. ['Misery of prisoners. The Carolinians in Russia in 1700â1723'] Stockholm: Natur & Kultur. Libris 7228808. ISBN 91-27-02743-0 (in Swedish)
- Kustaa H. J. Vilkuna: Viha. Perikato, katkeruus ja kertomus isostavihasta., s. 120. Suomalaisen kirjallisuuden seura, 2005. Teoksen verkkoversio.
- Tarkiainen, Kari: Moskovalainen. Ruotsi, Suomi ja Venäjä 1478â1721, s. 304â310. Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, 2022. ISBN 978-951-858-576-6.
- Zetterberg, Seppo (toim.): Suomen historian pikkujättiläinen. Helsinki: WSOY, 1990. ISBN 951-0-14253-0.
- Report of Josef Wolff 1843â1845
- Global Slavery Index
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