How far was Russia a backwards state before 1917?

Question 1

Strengths?

Answer 1

-difficult to invade
-abundance of resources
-national conscription of 12 million (largest army)
-large empire
-Grain was Russia’s most valuable export
-occupied 1/6 of the world’s landmass
-4th largest coal industry.

Question 2

Weaknesses

Answer 2

-sparsely populated
-harsh climate
-no unity
-80% population were peasants
-working conditions were very poor
-nobility own 25% of land but only make up 1% of population and had the most power
-absence of effective banking system.
-Autocracy= censorship

Question 3

Threats

Answer 3

-famine
-European threat.
- Social unrest (Bolsheviks)
-Social reform could change
-Autocracy
-Losing war and having to give land to Germany

Question 4

Opportunity

Answer 4

-Industry was growing
-So much land that the workers could exploit it
-By 1914, 2/5 of workers in factories of over 1000 so easier to organise strikes
-Conscription