Political, Social & Economic Grievances in Early 20 th Century Russia

1. Political, Social & Economic Grievances in Early 20th Century Russia A brief overview

2. Some key terms Industrialisation: production of goods using machinery rather than manual labour and the growth of industries rather than agriculture as the basis of the nation’s economy Autocracy: a form of government in which the ruler is unwilling to share her/his political power or have any limits placed on it Absolute power: the complete power to make laws, overrule laws, and appoint or dismiss ministers and advisers at will

3. Some key terms (cont’d) Liberals: supporters of liberalism, a view that supported individuals’ rights and freedoms, a system of parliamentary democracy and a free enterprise economy. Democracy: government by the elected representatives of the people Socialism: a doctrine promoting people’s ownership of a nation’s resources and the redistribution of its wealth Revolution: period of rapid, extensive change in political and social structures, including a change in soverignty.

4. 1900 Demographics • Russia (1900): • 23 different nationalities • 40% of 132 million = Russian • Only 1.5% belonged to world outside agriculture (USA = 12%) • Class structure in 1900 • 77% = peasants • 10% = Middle Class • 1% = Nobility • 12% = priests, urban workers, officials, Cossacks & foreigners

5. Social Change: Ideas • Every social class had issues (grievances) against the Tsarist government. • Ilegal political parties and illegal newspapers originated from the growing discontent. • 1900s: Russia was on the brink of a crisis: • Failed harvests • Inflation & economic depression • Russia’s peasants & urban workers resorted to riots, demonstrations and strikes to protest their poor conditions.

6. Illegal political parties • Middle & upper class liberals: • Supported the Union of Liberation. • Wanted democracy with a consitution and a parliament to limit the power of the Tsar

7. Illegal political parties • Social Intellectuals • Influenced by Karl Marx’s teachings & philosophy • Formed Social democratic Party • Believed in socialism • Thought revolution was the only way to end Tsarist rule • Sought support from Urban works

8. Illegal political parties • Socialist Revolutionary Party • Aimed to overthrow Tsarist rule • Goal: Achieve land redistribution in favour of peasants • Used Terrorism as one of its methods • Responsible for death of 100s political figures.

9. Peasant Problems • 1861 Emancipation: received pay and freed from ownership. Land “given.” • Peasant poverty had been a long standing problem • Freedom still limited. • Redemption payments paid for the land they’d been given. • Needed permission from commune, if they wanted to leave village • Land was owned & paid for by village community, not individual • Old fashioned farming methods – labour intensive, rather than machinery. • Living standards were poor.