Chapter 2 - S9

Question 1

What was the urban population of Russia like

Answer 1

Urban population quadrupled from 1867-1917
1914 - 3/4 of the population of st Petersburg were peasants by birth

Question 2

What were conditions in towns like

Answer 2

• workers lived in barrack like buildings provided by factory owners - dangerously overcrowded + lacked sanitation
• rents were high and some people slept in the factories or on the streets

Question 3

What decrees were issued between 1885 and 1912 (to improve town conditions)

Answer 3

Reducing work hours
Enforcing the use of contracts
Banning employment of children under 12

Question 4

How did strike activity and political unrest thrive in towns

Answer 4

Political discontent spread easily
Strike activity escalated in 1912 and in 1914 there were over 3000 stoppages
Government repressed these violently

Question 5

What were conditions in the countryside like

Answer 5

Conditions for peasant farmers did not improve substantially and there was still widespread rural poverty
- most peasants received basic education + there was still around 60% illiteracy
- commune remained at the heart of rural life

Question 6

What were the negative changes to the lives of nobles

Answer 6

• some struggled to meet debts
• some proved unable to adapt to modern business practices

Question 7

What were the positive changes to the lives of nobles

Answer 7

• some did well out of land distribution, consolidating the best land for themselves at a minimum cost
• some prospered by running to industrial enterprises

Question 8

What were the cultural changes in Russia up to 1914

Answer 8

• new opportunities for women e.g. in education etc
• improvements in education had reduced illiteracy
• books and publication increased - censorship was relaxed from 1905