Was there serfdom in Ukraine?

Yes, there was serfdom in Ukraine. Serfdom was an institution in Ukraine since the 15th century, when it was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was a form of unfree labor in which peasants were bound to their lord’s land and obligated to provide labor and services in exchange for protection and certain rights. Serfdom in Ukraine was abolished by the Emancipation Edict of 1861, which was issued by Tsar Alexander II. The Edict provided serfs with the right to own land, freedom of movement, and the right to marry without the permission of their lords.

Serfdom in Ukraine was characterized by the landlord-peasant relationship, which was based on the feudal system. Peasants were obligated to provide labor and services to their lord in exchange for protection and certain rights. Peasants were also obligated to pay rent in the form of money, goods, or services. The lord had the right to punish peasants for disobedience or failure to meet their obligations. Peasants were also required to pay taxes to the state, which were used to fund the military and other government services.

Serfdom was an oppressive system that kept peasants in poverty and denied them basic rights. It was abolished in 1861, but its legacy still affects Ukrainian society today. The legacy of serfdom can be seen in the unequal distribution of wealth and power in Ukraine, as well as in the high levels of poverty and inequality that still exist in the country.