Pre-1917

Question 1

How was the military a problem facing Russia?

Answer 1

• peasants who could not fight were conscripted into the army
• generals bought their way into position which meant they were often inexperienced
• they didn’t have high standard weaponry which meant the were unable to survive against stronger nations

Question 2

How was society a problem facing Russia?

Answer 2

• 70% of the population were peasant, substinence farmers, so there was no surplus of food to trade
• Tsar was sole ruler, and was seen as the ‘chosen’ one who made all the decisions
• there was a small amount of middle class workers (0.5%), which limits industrialisation

Question 3

Why was politic a problem facing Russia?

Answer 3

• there was no parliament
• the Tsar could ignore his advisors
• there was no political parties
• no democracy, and autocratic society

Question 4

Why was the economy a problem in Russia?

Answer 4

• Britain was 4x wealthier than Russia, harder to advance Russian economy
• railway across Russia started in 1904 and finished in 1916
• large gap in pay created an unstable economy

Question 5

Why was religion a problem in Russia?

Answer 5

• 1900, 40,000 people had one church
• Orthodox Church seen as mos superior, other religions looked down upon
• anti-semitism was a problem,groups attacking Jews