1. Russia under the Tsar A snapshot: pre-1905

2. Tsar Nicholas II … the last Tsar

3. Tsar Nicholas II– The last Tsar Autocratic Autocratic Divine Right Absolute Monarch Divine Right Absolute Monarch Weak government Weak government Rules an area 1/6 of globe’s surface Rules an area 1/6 of globe’s surface

4. Russia c.1900

5. His rule His word was law His word was law He appointed his ministers He appointed his ministers But did not have to listen to them But did not have to listen to them AND could ‘hire and fire’ them at will AND could ‘hire and fire’ them at will He was a true autocrat. He was a true autocrat. (And truly deficient as a ruler and intellect) (And truly deficient as a ruler and intellect)

6. …and yet Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants Many Russians worshipped the Tsar and peasants typically had a picture of the Tsar on a wall of their hut. typically had a picture of the Tsar on a wall of their hut. government/ bureaucracy blamed for problems government/ bureaucracy blamed for problems

7. Social Structure

8. Social Structure stats. Ruling class 0.5%Ruling class 0.5% Upper class (nobility) 12%Upper class (nobility) 12% Commercial class 1.5%Commercial class 1.5% Working Class 4%Working Class 4% Peasants 82% (roughly half were serfs until 1861 – property of the state/controlled by nobility)Peasants 82% (roughly half were serfs until 1861 – property of the state/controlled by nobility)

9. Political System Non-democratic – different to European democracy – political parties banned Non-democratic – different to European democracy – political parties banned Dissent suppressed – repression to keep masses in check Dissent suppressed – repression to keep masses in check Press censorship Press censorship Ruling class hold a tight grip on power – fear of majority: the ‘dark masses’ Ruling class hold a tight grip on power – fear of majority: the ‘dark masses’ Tight restrictions on travel Tight restrictions on travel

11. Army – largest in the world Bolstered by conscription from peasantry Bolstered by conscription from peasantry One million soldiers One million soldiers Brutal discipline Brutal discipline Rank linked to class Rank linked to class Tool of suppression Tool of suppression

12. Bloody Sunday 1905

13. Administration Bureaucracy/Government – used to maintain Tsar’s authority Bureaucracy/Government – used to maintain Tsar’s authority Corrupt, inefficient, incompetent, upper classes Corrupt, inefficient, incompetent, upper classes

14. Orthodox Church Clergy – adored by some… Clergy – adored by some… …seen as corrupt and self-serving by others …seen as corrupt and self-serving by others Conservative Conservative Used to control population (taught obedience – a sin to not obey Tsar) Used to control population (taught obedience – a sin to not obey Tsar)

15. Social Structure - Nobility In decline In decline To 1861- controlled (owned) serfs To 1861- controlled (owned) serfs Better educated than majority of population Better educated than majority of population Some more liberal Some more liberal

16. Liberals Slow emergence of a middle class Slow emergence of a middle class Creation of a Western-educated elite who had travelled and seen other, freer political systems. Creation of a Western-educated elite who had travelled and seen other, freer political systems. Intellectual class – beginning to support democratic reform Intellectual class – beginning to support democratic reform

17. Industrial and urban Russia industry had grown rapidly and living and working conditions were horrendous Russia industry had grown rapidly and living and working conditions were horrendous Average working day was 14 hours Average working day was 14 hours Trade unions banned but some strikes took place Trade unions banned but some strikes took place Potential for hotbed of political activism Potential for hotbed of political activism

19. Peasantry Backward, inefficient, ignorant, illiterate. Backward, inefficient, ignorant, illiterate. Emancipation 1861 Emancipation 1861 Lack of land. Debts from land bought after 1861. Lack of land. Debts from land bought after 1861. Bear full brunt of famines Bear full brunt of famines

21. And yet… Some did prosper and it was generally the shortage of land rather than shortage of food that was the irritant. Some did prosper and it was generally the shortage of land rather than shortage of food that was the irritant. Rural population grew but land owned by peasants and land size failed to keep pace. Rural population grew but land owned by peasants and land size failed to keep pace. Faith in Tsar remained strong Faith in Tsar remained strong BUT hunger for land would grow. BUT hunger for land would grow.

22. Reform Limited reforms to 1900 Limited reforms to 1900 Emancipation of the serfs 1861 Emancipation of the serfs 1861 Sporadic – Tsar’s will – guards power jealously Sporadic – Tsar’s will – guards power jealously Under Alexander II Under Alexander II –some legal reforms –freedom of expression –very limited and eventually withdrawn –repression follows

23. As a result … political instability and extremism thrive No outlet for political frustrations No outlet for political frustrations Extreme revolutionary groups emerging Extreme revolutionary groups emerging Only offer radical solutions to Russia’s problems Only offer radical solutions to Russia’s problems Secret police – Okhrana – repressive state – spying on population Secret police – Okhrana – repressive state – spying on population Pressure cooker political environment Pressure cooker political environment Regular assassinations of officials… Regular assassinations of officials… …and even Tsars …and even Tsars