Urban Working Class Flashcards
What led to the emergence of the urban working class under Alexander III?
Vyshnegradsky’s policies, which responded to the failure of emancipation and loosened the constraints of the Mir.
How did industrial expansion impact the urban population?
It led to a growth in urban workers, but they still made up only 2% of the population.
How many peasants moved to towns?
By 1864, ⅓ of St. Petersburg’s inhabitants were peasants by birth, and this proportion continued to rise.
What were living and working conditions like for urban workers?
Grim conditions, poor wages, and harsh penalties in the workplace.
What labour reforms were introduced between 1882-90?
Regulations on child labour, reduced working hours, and fewer excessive fines.
Did these labour reforms significantly improve workers’ lives?
No, the reforms had little impact on the growing working class.
Was striking legal under Alexander III?
No, but despite this, there were around 33 strikes per year between 1886-94.
What stopped peasants from becoming urban workers?
Nothing—peasants were free to move to towns and seek industrial work.
