Russia's legacy of serfdom, autocracy and geography is evident

Submitted by Dave (United States), Dec 16, 2022 at 12:24

Serfs, essentially Russian slaves, numbered about 42 million in 1861, roughly 38% of the population (at its height, southern slaves at four million were about 12% of the US population). Serfdom left a legacy of class resentment, a major factor in the 1917 revolution. A psychology of passivity also developed, due to a cruel top-down system of absolutism from the Tsar to the rich landlords, to the serfs, forming a patina of obedience on a hated system. Communism merely continued that tradition in a different form.
In addition, Russia's vast, frozen landmass stunted modernization and cultural development as Russia lacked the advantages of geographical accessibility available to western Europe.
Thus, we see a largely backward culture of resentful, but obedient citizens striking out at imaginary enemies in Ukraine, dying like flies on the battlefield as their country limps along due to international sanctions. Vladimir Putin's madness resonates beautifully with his country's many pathologies.

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