Surfdom vs. Slavery

Two nations primarily represent the issues of surfdom and slavery: Russia and the United States. While during the 19th century, both were dealing with the concept of freeing the serfs/slaves, the reality is despite efforts, either government sanctioned or not, produced little results. In terms of law, both groups achieved freedom from their bonds, but they were not able to readily change their situation. There was very little effect and change brought on by the seemingly monumental alterations in law. The reason for this lack of true change, is because both Russia and the United States only changed the laws directly effecting the freedom of the said persons.

Serfs were required to pay for their land that they had worked on since they had no land rights previously. Slaves were in much of the same boat. The "rural life" in Russia remained unchanged given these grievous costs for land (which the new-found peasants were required to pay in a lay-a-way fashion). At the same time, in the US, the "sharecropping" industry blew off as more and more slaves were out of work, had no place to go, and no funds to do anything. Thus, there was practically no change in situation in either country until later the next century.