Worth a Giggle

[L Verge]

During the Russian Embassy's school visit to Surratt House today, we structured our tours strictly to the way of life in the U.S. Most of the children were not fluent in English, and some understood nothing. Their ages also ranged from about four to twelve, and any attempt to discuss politics, Lincoln, slavery, and the Civil War would have been fruitless. That judgment call was certainly proved by my posting above about the young man who did not know Lincoln and did not know what a Tsar was. Their trip got us thinking, however.

Remember my preaching six degrees of separation while studying history? Well, our visit from the Russian children today spurred a brief discussion among our staff as to whether or not Russia had ever had slavery. I said that the Russian system of serfdom (similar to the old feudal systems of Europe) was a form of slavery, but without racial distinctions. Another staff member sort of pooh-poohed that idea. So I am at home with Google, and my reply to staff involved has been this:

"Our very brief conversation today about whether or not Russia had a slave system got me to digging. They did have slavery for centuries, and Russians became slaves under conquering hordes. There were no racial implications - you too could become a slave.

"Up until freedom came in 1861, the Russian slave system was indeed tied to serfdom, the system that most of feudal Europe had abandoned. And, Russian slaves were not sold; the lord sold the land and they went with it.

"There are lots of articles on Google, but I found this one easier to follow and understand. I also thought it interesting that Russia freed their slaves/serfs just two years before the U.S. -- and had problems readjusting for years afterwards."

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/ema...serfs-1861

BTW: Their defeat and humiliation in the Crimean War of the mid-1850s is pretty much what brought the Czar to realize something had to change. A similar situation with the defeated Confederacy?