Serfdom

Serfdom is a type of forced labour that existed in feudalistic societies of the Middle Ages. Serfs were bonded directly to their land, instead of peasants owning land, land "owned" peasants. Laws were constructed across Europe to prevent peasants from being able to leave the land and deprive the landlords of labour. Serfs were required to perform certain duties (varying from culture to culture) to their landlord annually as part of their debts. Serfdom has its historical roots in slavery and is a simple variation from that older practice.

Notable Serf Societies
Probably the best known of the serf societies and largest participant in serfdom was the Russian Empire. Serfdom lasted in Russia much longer than other jurisdictions, and even after the serfs were emancipated in 1861 there status was little changed. Serfs, now peasants were required to pay enormous taxes to their former landlords as a form of compensation. The poor reform of serfdom in Russia led to a massive of disaffected peasantry overall and provided part of the backbone for the Russian Revolution.