what were the social economic and political condition in russia before 1905?
Answers
(1) In the 19th century most of the European country underwent important social and economic changes but Russia was still lagging behind. The czars ruled as absolute monarchs
and the aristocracy was strictly feudal.
(2) The conditions of the Russian pigeons were deplorable. On the other hand the nobility and the high clergymen enjoyed special privileges and rights. Agriculture was dominated for few rich landlords.
(3) Although serfdom was abolished in Russian 1861,the situation did not change. The methods and tools of farming did not improve. The farmer had to pay a very high dues for small pieces of lands and most of them were under heavy debts.
Political conditions in Russia before 1905÷
(1) Russia was under the autocratic rule of Romanov Czars who believe in the Theory of divine right of the kings. Czar Nicholas 2 was crowned in the 1894. He was an inefficient and the conservative ruler. He was believed to be guided and influence by Mustic Rasputin.
(2) The conditions of workers and peasants were deplorable.Famines were very common throughout the country. Many people in Russia were influenced by the developments in western Europe and consequently they demanded constitutional democracy. However their demands were turned down.
Answer :-
(a) Social Conditions: The majority religion was Russian Orthodox Christianity which had grown out of the Greek Orthodox Church. But the empire also included Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Buddhists. The non-Russian nationalities were not treated equal to that of Russian nationalities. They were not given the freedom to follow their culture and language. Workers were divided into group on the basis of skill and training. Peasants formed their group called commune or mir.
(b) Economic conditions: The majority of Russians were agriculturists. Grain was the main item of export from Russia. Industries were few. Prominent industrial areas were St Petersburg and Moscow. Much of the production was done by the craftsmen. There were large factories alongside the craft workshops. With the expansion of the Russian rail network, foreign investment in factories grew. There were huge coal, iron and steel production. There were equal numbers of factory workers and craftsmen. The workers were exploited by capitalists who made their life miserable.
(c) Political Conditions: Russia was a monarchy. (Tsar Nicholas II ruled Russia and its empire that extended to current-day Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, parts of Poland, Ukraine and Belarus. It stretched to the Pacific and comprised today’s Central Asian states, as well as Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan). The Tsars believed in the divine rights of kings. They were not responsible to the Parliament. All political parties were illegal in Russia.