Booklet 1 - The 1905 Revolution

Question 1

Peasant discontent

Long term causes

Answer 1

• Main reasons for wanting a revolution: land hunger, redemption dues, poverty and famine
• The Tsar taxed produce of peasant farmers - riots broke out as it wasn’t fair considering they had to pay thei redemption fees
• 1903-1904: Years of the Red Cockerel - peasants seized a great deal of land in the country side due to land hunger, only wealthier peasants (kulaks) owned their land
• The government poorly handled the famine from 1891 to 1892 which killed 400,000 people
• Peasants didn’t have enough to feed themselves but were expected to produce grain to export

Question 2

Worker discontent

Long term causes

Answer 2

• Main reasons for wanting a revolution: bad living conditions, increased urbanisation and no improvements for workers
• Due to Witte’s industrialisation the population of towns and cities multiplied by 4
• Terrible working conditions and trade unions were banned
• Work days were 12 hours long
• Living conditions were horrendus- communal housing and sleeping in factories
• High death rates and bad sanitation