It was in theory, though not practically, unlike the institution of American slavery.

The people, still living in their communes, still clung to the figment of their freedom, not really understanding that they were slaves, but feeling rather that they were freemen whose sacred rights had been cruelly invaded.

That they were giving to hard masters the fruit of their toil on their own lands.
Now that Russia was becoming a modern state, it required more money to govern her.

Civilization is costly, and the revenues must not be fluctuating.

Boris saw they could only be made sure by attaching to the soil the peasant, whose labor was at the foundation of the prosperity of the state.