1.1 Reasons for Discontent (Before 1917)

Question 1

Size of Russian Empire

Answer 1

1/6 of the entire world’s surface

Question 2

Russian Empire ruled by …

Answer 2

Tsar Nicholas II part of the Romanov Dynasty

Question 3

The ‘subject nationalities’

Answer 3

• Non-Russian Groups were known as ‘subject nationalities’
• The Russian Empire was difficult to rule because it was made up
  of more than 20 ethnic groups
• 6 in 10 Russian was a foreign language
• Discontent due to ‘Russification’ this meant making non-russians
  speak Russian, Wear Russian clothes and practice Russian
  customs

Question 4

Discontent with the government

Answer 4

• Russia was an autocracy with the duma being the only
  paliament which held little power
• 70% was Orthodox Christian and it heavily supported the Tsar
• Workers in the government were poorly paid and so it
  encouraged bribery and corruption
• Russians had limited freedom being policied by spies and agents
  and the Okhrana who would supress and root out anti-tsarists

Question 5

The weakness of Tsar Nicholas II

Answer 5

• Became Tsar in 1894
• Famously said he did not want to become Tsar (Interpret as
  wasn’t ready because he did believe in God given right to rule)
• Ignorant to the many complaints of the people
• Son Alexi had haemophilia, only male heir, so he was likely to die
  young

Question 6

Economic Problems

Answer 6

• 85% of the population lived in the countryside
• 5% of land was suitable for farming due to extensive tundra
• Russia was late to modernise and so people were farming using
  primitive farm tools, lead to many famines like the one in 1892

Question 7

Industrial Development

Answer 7

• Even though Russia had extensive oil and mineral supplies it did
  not industrialise until the late 19th century.
• Ineffective banking system restricted growth of the economy.
• WW1 in 1914 did rapidly cause the industry in Russia to grow.

Question 8

Social Problems

Answer 8

Russian society was divided into classes very heirarchical

Question 9

The aristocracy

Answer 9

The aristocracy made up the top 1% of the Russian population they were extremely rich and showed the disparity between the peasantry and aristocracy.

Question 10

The Middle Class

Answer 10

After WW1 Tthe size of the middle class was growing due ti the sudden boom in Russian industry. They lived a pleasant live and consisted of bankers, merchants and such.

Question 11

The peasants

Answer 11

The largest and lowest class. Had a life expectancy of less than 40 years and would often die from typhus and diphtheria.