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Published byDominick Hudson Modified over 9 years ago
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Political, Social & Economic Grievances in Early 20th Century Russia
A brief overview
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Some key terms Industrialisation: production of goods using machinery rather than manual labour and the growth of industries rather than agriculture as the basis of the nation’s economy Autocracy: a form of government in which the ruler is unwilling to share her/his political power or have any limits placed on it Absolute power: the complete power to make laws, overrule laws, and appoint or dismiss ministers and advisers at will
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Some key terms (cont’d)
Liberals: supporters of liberalism, a view that supported individuals’ rights and freedoms, a system of parliamentary democracy and a free enterprise economy. Democracy: government by the elected representatives of the people Socialism: a doctrine promoting people’s ownership of a nation’s resources and the redistribution of its wealth Revolution: period of rapid, extensive change in political and social structures, including a change in soverignty.
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1900 Demographics Russia (1900): Class structure in 1900
23 different nationalities 40% of 132 million = Russian Only 1.5% belonged to world outside agriculture (USA = 12%) Class structure in 1900 77% = peasants 10% = Middle Class 1% = Nobility 12% = priests, urban workers, officials, Cossacks & foreigners
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Social Change: Ideas Every social class had issues (grievances) against the Tsarist government. Ilegal political parties and illegal newspapers originated from the growing discontent. 1900s: Russia was on the brink of a crisis: Failed harvests Inflation & economic depression Russia’s peasants & urban workers resorted to riots, demonstrations and strikes to protest their poor conditions.
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Illegal political parties
Middle & upper class liberals: Supported the Union of Liberation. Wanted democracy with a consitution and a parliament to limit the power of the Tsar
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Illegal political parties
Social Intellectuals Influenced by Karl Marx’s teachings & philosophy Formed Social democratic Party Believed in socialism Thought revolution was the only way to end Tsarist rule Sought support from Urban works
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Illegal political parties
Socialist Revolutionary Party Aimed to overthrow Tsarist rule Goal: Achieve land redistribution in favour of peasants Used Terrorism as one of its methods Responsible for death of 100s political figures.
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Peasant Problems 1861 Emancipation: received pay and freed from ownership. Land “given.” Peasant poverty had been a long standing problem Freedom still limited. Redemption payments paid for the land they’d been given. Needed permission from commune, if they wanted to leave village Land was owned & paid for by village community, not individual Old fashioned farming methods – labour intensive, rather than machinery. Living standards were poor.
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