Labour unions in the past faced significant challenges in operating freely. The fear of these unions was so intense that state powers often collaborated with employers to suppress them, leading to widespread labor unrest. Strikes, initially focused on employment grievances, started to take on a political dimension as workers directed their frustrations towards the ruling authorities. Similarly, the situation for peasants and serfs was dire, as they lived under conditions comparable to slavery. They were tied to the land they worked on, often sold along with it, required to provide free labor for certain periods, and even needed permission from their lords to marry. In the mid-19th century, there were approximately 45 million serfs, with half under the direct control of the Crown and the other half serving nobles, the Church, and various institutions. The call for emancipation among serfs had been strong since the era of Peter the Great, reaching a peak in the 19th century that led Alexander II to urge the nobility to initiate reforms from below. Although the Czar managed to emancipate the serfs, their economic conditions saw little improvement. Alongside their freedom, the Czar also made provisions for the serfs to own some land, managed collectively by the village community known as the ‘Mir’.
Suppression of Labour Unions
Labour unions during this period were heavily restricted in their operations. The state’s apprehension about the potential power of these unions led to collaborations with employers to suppress any form of collective bargaining or strikes. This suppression often involved military intervention, showcasing the lengths to which authorities and employers would go to maintain control over the workforce. The crackdown on labor unions contributed to a significant increase in labor unrest, with strikes becoming more frequent and intense.
Labour Strikes Take a Political Turn
Initially, strikes and agitations by labor unions focused on improving working conditions and wages. However, as the state continued to suppress these movements, the strikes began to adopt a political nature. Workers started to see the state not just as an enabler of poor working conditions but as an adversary in their struggle for rights and fair treatment. This shift marked a critical point in the labor movement, as the fight for better employment conditions evolved into a broader challenge against the ruling powers.
The Plight of Peasants and Serfs
The living conditions of peasants and serfs were harsh and oppressive. They were bound to the land they worked on, with little to no personal freedom. Their situation was akin to slavery, with forced labor being a common expectation. These individuals could not make basic life choices, such as whom to marry, without the consent of their lords. By the mid-19th century, the number of serfs reached 45 million, showing the vast scale of this feudal system.
Agitation for Emancipation
The agitation among serfs for emancipation was a long-standing issue, tracing back to the time of Peter the Great. By the 19th century, the movement for freedom had grown so strong that Czar Alexander II called upon the nobility to begin the process of abolition. Despite the eventual emancipation of the serfs by the Czar, their economic conditions remained largely unchanged. The lack of significant improvement in their livelihoods highlighted the limitations of the reforms implemented.
The Role of the ‘Mir’
In an attempt to address some of the issues facing the newly freed serfs, the Czar arranged for them to possess land. This land was not owned individually but was held collectively by the village community, referred to as the ‘Mir’. The ‘Mir’ played a crucial role in managing the land and ensuring that the serfs had some degree of economic autonomy. However, the effectiveness of this arrangement in improving the overall economic status of the serfs was limited.
Questions for UPSC
1. How did the collaboration between the state and employers contribute to the politicization of labor strikes?
2. What were the long-term effects of the emancipation of serfs on the socio-economic structure of society?
3. In what ways did the establishment of the ‘Mir’ impact the lives of the serfs, and what challenges did it present?