History - 2 Answers
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1 :
The 'Landowner' had ownership of the serfs living on his land. He was supposed to control and manage them, almost like livestock. Reading - 'Dead Souls', Nikolai Gogol
2 :
It was a form of control of the poor working class by the aristocracy and upper classes. The serfs essentially were condemned to a life of grueling work with no possibility of advancement in life. They were basically slaves of the landowner they served. The serfs also provided the backbone of the military, once conscripted they were required to serve for 25 years, although most never came close to surviving to be allowed to return to civilian life.
