yes, intimidation and humiliation works.
If it works at an emotional level, then that is where it is dished out...where it hurts.
You would find that if the emotional and verbal intimidation were no longer effective, he would escalate.
It would eventually escalate to open physical abuse.
This did keep you from asserting your rights and from challenging him on his broken agreements etc.
He bullied you.
The humiliation comes in as to where he was saying you were inadequate.
Please try to remember that these are techniques that are abusive. They have everything to do with the abuser and not the abused victim.