Question

analyse any four features of russian society of the 20th century

Answer 1

As Russia entered the twentieth century she had a rapidly growing urban proletariat. They comprised about 10% of the population. The bourgeoisie formed about 5% of the population. The aristocracy formed up to 2% of the population. The clergy under 1% of the population. The peasantry was the broad mass of the people and they stood at around 80% of the population. This figures do not quite add up – they are approximate because class is approximate. However, the Russian State did not think so. Russia issued passports – not identity cards – even to those who did not intend to go abroad. One’s official social class was stated on this document. Russia was deeply hierarchical. A table of ranks had been drawn up by Peter the Great and was till in use two centuries later. Inegalitarianism was even more pronounced in Russia than in any other European country and how much Russia was European even west of the Urals is of course still an open question.

Answer 2

Before the 20th century, Russian society was still feudal.

Russia was ruled by an autocratic monarch called the Tsar. Russian society was still feudal.

In fact, serfs had been emancipated in Russia only in 1861. Even after emancipation, society still remained moored in a traditional hierarchical order.

There  were little signs of Russian moving towards a more democratic or liberal social and political order.

However, this began to change from 1905 after Russia lost the Russo-Japanese war.

The Tsar was widely blamed for the defeat.

The Revolution of 1905 led to efforts to establish a constitutional monarchy but these attempts were thwarted by the Tsar.

Russian economy was primarily agricultural till the Russian Revolution of 1917.

The level of industrialization was low and there were only about three million industrial workers.

Even these workers worked under appalling conditions at very low wages.

The condition of Russian agriculture was also poor.

Agricultural technology was still primitive and peasants could barely produce to feed themselves.

Click to let others know, how helpful is it