Corvée is a form of feudal obligation of peasants that existed in Ukraine (and in many other parts of Europe), when peasants were forced to work unpaid on land plots owned by the lord (landowner, landholder).
The peasant had his own plot of land for cultivation (provided by the lord). For the right to use it, he had to work several days a week on the lord's field — this was the corvée. The work could vary: plowing, harvesting, taking care of livestock, construction work, etc.
The most widespread corvée was in the 17th–19th centuries, especially in the Left Bank and Right Bank. In the Russian Empire (including most of the Ukrainian lands), corvée lasted until 1861, when serfdom was abolished by the manifesto of Tsar Alexander II. In Galicia, which was part of the Austrian Empire, corvée was abolished in 1848 during the revolutions.
Due to such a system, peasants were economically and personally dependent on the lord. The lack of freedoms and property contributed to poverty, uprisings, and emigration;
Ultimately, the abolition of corvée gave people more freedom, although it did not solve all problems immediately. However, it was an important step towards allowing peasants to work for themselves and live better.
Corvée is a symbol of feudal oppression and social inequality, which left a deep mark in the collective memory, songs, and literature.
