Russia In The 20th Century Flashcards
What percentage of the population did the aristocracy represent in Russian society?
Just over 1%
The aristocracy owned almost 1/4 of all the land
What lifestyle did members of the aristocracy typically lead?
Lavish homes, a second home in a town or city, many servants
Some aristocrats were extremely rich
What contributed to the growth of the middle class in Russia by 1914?
Development of industry
This included bankers, merchants, and factory owners
From what did many members of the middle class in Russia make fortunes?
Government contracts and loans
They had a very pleasant lifestyle
What was the largest social group in Russia before 1917?
The peasants
They made up nearly 4 out of every 5 Russian people
What were the living conditions like for peasants in Russia?
Very poor conditions
They survived on a staple diet of rye bread, porridge, and cabbage soup
What was the life expectancy of peasants in Russia before 1917?
Less than 40 years
Many died from typhus and diphtheria
What was the final and most rapidly increasing group in Russian society?
The town workers
These were new industrial workers in towns and cities
What conditions did town workers face in Russia?
Overcrowded slums, low wages, long hours
They were forbidden to form trade unions
How did workers in industrial centers often live?
In barracks next to the factory, in filthy, overcrowded dormitories
They ate cheap black bread, cabbage soup, and wheat porridge
What happened to protests or strikes by workers in Russia?
They were crushed, often with great brutality
This was done by the police or army
What were the working conditions like for individuals in overcrowded dormitories?
They earned low wages, worked long hours, and were forbidden to form trade unions.
Workers faced repression if they protested or went on strike.
What type of government did Russia have during Nicholas II’s reign?
Autocracy
All power was concentrated in the hands of the tsar.
What belief justified the tsar’s rule?
Divine right to rule
The tsar believed he was chosen by God to govern.
What was the role of the duma in the Russian government?
It had very little power.
The duma was the only parliament in Russia.
Who assisted the tsar in governing the country?
Council of ministers
They managed various government departments but could not make important decisions.
What was a significant issue among civil servants in the tsarist government?
Poor pay encouraged bribery and corruption.
This affected the efficiency and integrity of government operations.
How did the tsar maintain control over the Russian Empire?
Through censorship, the Orthodox Church, and the Okhrana (secret police).
These institutions suppressed dissent and maintained the tsar’s authority.
What percentage of the Russian population were members of the Orthodox Church?
About 70%
The Church supported the tsar’s rule and reinforced the idea of his divine authority.
What was the relationship between the Orthodox Church and the tsar?
The Church was closely linked to the tsar and supported his way of ruling.
It taught that the tsar was God’s chosen representative on earth.
What measures did the tsar take to suppress opposition?
Used the Okhrana to root out dissenters.
Opponents could be imprisoned without trial or exiled.
What is an example of a civil servant?
A tax collector
What percentage of the Russian population lived in the countryside?
85%
This statistic highlights the rural nature of Russia’s demographics.
What was the state of Russian agriculture?
Poor
Despite the large rural population, agricultural productivity was low.
