How was the economy and Society in Russian Revolution
Answers
The economic causes of the Russian Revolution largely originated in Russia's slightly outdated economy. Russia's agriculture was largely based on independent peasants, who seldom owned modern machinery. Suffering from a naturally cold climate, Russia's growing season was only 4-6 months, compared to 8-9 in most of Western Europe. However, vast territory and population still allowed Russia to be the largest exporter of agricultural products in the world, even supplying North America in the 1900's.
Social
The social causes of the Russian Revolution mainly came from centuries of oppression towards the lower classes by the Tsarist regime and Nicholas's failures in World War I. While rural agrarian peasants had been emancipated fromserfdom in 1861, they still resented paying redemption payments to the state, and demanded communal tender of the land they worked. Increasing peasant disturbances and sometimes full revolts occurred, with the goal of securing ownership of their land. Russia consisted mainly of poor farming peasants, with 1.5% of the population owning 25% of the land.
The rapid industrialization of Russia also resulted in urban overcrowding and poor conditions for urban industrial workers (as mentioned above). Between 1890 and 1910, the population of the capital of St Petersburg swelled from 1,033,600 to 1,905,600, with Moscow experiencing similar growth. In one 1904 survey, it was found that an average of sixteen people shared each apartment in St Petersburg, with six people per room. There was also no running water, and piles of human waste were a threat to the health of the workers.
World War I then only added to the chaos. Conscription swept up the unwilling in all parts of Russia. The vast demand for factory production of war supplies and workers caused many more labor riots and strikes. Conscription stripped skilled workers from the cities, who had to be replaced with unskilled peasants, and then, when famine began to hit, workers abandoned the cities in droves to look for food. Finally, the soldiers themselves, who suffered from a lack of equipment and protection from the elements were discontent with Russia's poor accounting in the war
Economy :
Most of the Russians were agriculturist. However, there were major industries that existed alongside crafts industries. Important industrial centres where Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Some of the industries where coal, iron, steel, textile etc. Most of this industries are privately owned and government supervised large factory to ensure minimum wages.
Workers were divided into different social groups based on their skills. Metal workers were considered aristocrates among other workers. Women made up 31% of the labour force and were paid lesser than men.
Society :
Society consisted of four classes namely the Tzar, the nobility, the orthodox Church and the peasants. The upper class controlled most of the properties. Nobles got their power through their service to the Tzar. Russian peasant pooled their land together periodically and their commune divided the land according to the needs of the peasant families.