Reasons for Discontent

Question 1

How did the existence of subject nationalities lead to discontent?

Answer 1

There were more than 20 different ethnic groups in Russia. Russian was foreign for 60%.

• There was a policy of Russification (people were forced to speak Russian, dress like Russians and be part of the Russian Orthodox Church)
• They wanted independence
• Russians were given the important jobs even in non-Russian areas

Question 2

How did the system of government lead to discontent?

Answer 2

• Autocracy meant that the Tsar had absolute power and regular people had very little freedom
• The Orthodox Church supported the Tsar, and taught that he was God’s representative, giving him a divine right to rule
• The Duma (Parliament) had very little power
• The council of ministers also couldn’t make important decisions
• Civil servants were paid poorly, which encouraged bribery and corruption
• The Okhrana (secret police) sentenced the Tsar’s opposition without trial

Question 3

How did Nicholas II add to the growing discontent?

Answer 3

• He had a weak character and was incapable of holding onto autocracy
• He continued to rule as an autocrat while unaware of the growing opposition
• He was reluctant to be Tsar as he witnessed his grandfather’s assassination

Question 4

How did farming techniques contribute to the growing discontent?

Answer 4

• Due to tundra, forest and desert, only 5% of Russian land could be farmed, but 85% of citizens lived in the countryside
• Outdated farming techniques caused low food production, and therefore frequent famines
• Families were given small strips of land to farm, which encouraged subsistence farming

Question 5

What was Russia’s industry like around the year 1900?

Answer 5

• Russia was behind as it only started to industrialise in the late 1800s
• Its output was still low in the early 1900s
• The growth of the economy was restricted by the absence of an effective banking system and poor roads and railways

Question 6

How did industrial development cause discontent?

Answer 6

• By 1914 Russia had experienced rapid industrial growth due to deliberate government policy as well as increased oil and coal output
• This led to poor working and living conditions

Question 7

Describe each social group.

Answer 7

1. Aristocracy: made up 1% of the population but owned 25% of the land
2. Bourgeoisie: was a growing class of bankers, merchants and factory owners due to industrialisation
3. Peasants: made up almost 80% of the population and had an average life expectancy of less than 40. They were the poorest group
4. Proletariat: were peasants that moved to cities/towns, and were the most rapidly growing group. They worked long hours in harsh conditions for little pay, and lived in overcrowded slums. Trade unions and strikes were forbidden