Question

What were the social, economic and political conditions in Tsarist Russia that prompted the 1905 revolution?

Answer 1

Instructions:
The answer will be divided into social, economic and political points.

• For each section give points that relate to agriculture conditions, how the workers worked in industries, the lack of freedom in social lives and finally focus on the power of the Tsarist control over all others.

Solution: Following were the social, economic, and political conditions in Tsarist Russia before 1905 that prompted people to rise in revolt:

1. Social Conditions: The majority religion was Russian Orthodox Christianity 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 groups on the basis of skill and training. Peasants formed their group called commune or mir. All of them lived in poverty in terrible working conditions.
2. Economic conditions: The majority of Russians were agriculturists with farming being the most important sector of the economy. Industries were few and St Petersburg and Moscow were prominent industrial areas . Much of the production was done by the craftsmen.Russia also produced coal, iron and steel. The workers were exploited by capitalists who made their life miserable.
3. Political Condition: Before 1905, Russia was under the rule of the Tsars who held absolute and full control over politics of Russia. There was also the nobility in Russia which owned the most land and employed people to work on them. The nobility was often disconnected with the lives of ordinary Russians and this created anger against them.