Word: serfdom
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Dates: during 1900-1909
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...Avenel traced the peasant from the early conditions of serfdom, through the steps of enfranchisement, which took place on account of the scarcity of labor in the Middle Ages. The Lords gave their servants their lands, only keeping the rents and indirect rights for themselves. This made the servants definitely associated with the land, and was a great element in retaining their services. Through this means all peasants became proprietors, but they were forbidden to sell or rent their land...
...Gompers stated that modern labor organizations are the legitimate successors of the trade guilds under the feudal regime; and he compared the condition of the workingmen who broke away from serfdom with that existing under our present free and competitive system of industry...