Russia in 1900

1. Russia in 1900 The impact of various factors

2. Russia’s Geography • ‘Russia’ was big ~ a large number of smaller countries were included in the term ‘Russia’ in the early 20th century. • Much of its land was at subsistence level as far as agriculture was concerned. • Raw materials for industrial development were not located near its main centres of population in the West. • The weather could be extreme. • There were a variety of nationalities and cultures within the ‘empire’ that was Russia.

3. Impact of the Geography of Russia • Its size meant: Inefficient local government because everything had to be referred back to the Centre at a time of slow communications Inefficient development of industry and agriculture Inefficient understanding of cultural and national diversity • Generally government at local level was repressive and often violent.

4. The economy of Russia - agriculture • In 1900 Russia was still primarily an agricultural country with 4 out of 5 citizens connected with the land. • Most peasants were subsistence farmers, tenant farmers on the estates of aristocrats, labourers on such estates or labourers on the farms of the non-aristocratic landowning class (the Kulaks). • Most peasants lived hard lives. They did not own their own land. • Famine was a frequent occurrence in many parts of the Russian countryside. • Many peasants were forced off their land by economic circumstances. They moved to the cities which were industrialising and lived in poor conditions there as well.

5. The economy of Russia - industrialisation • Russia found it difficult to industrialise because its sources of raw materials were often distant from its population centres which could provide pools of labour and markets for industrial goods. • Transport was difficult and expensive over long distances. Exporting was difficult because Russian ports were often ice-locked. • The Tsar's Government made a distinct effort to invest in industrialisation, encouraging projects such as the trans-Siberian railway. Slowly the West of Russia began to develop industrial towns and cities. • Conditions for the urban proletariat were extremely poor. Overcrowding, disease and industrial accidents were all very common. Wages were very low as factory owners wished to keep their profits up.

6. The impact of the economy • There was a massive gulf of wealth between the rich and the poor in Russia • There were few social support mechanisms for the poor, and few ways in which the poor could better themselves • Conditions for the poor in both cities and countryside were very often very bad.

7. The impact of the Russian Orthodox Church • Promoted obedience to the will of God which was presented by the Tsar’s Government • Large numbers of Russian peasants were deeply religious and therefore were heavily influenced by the Church. • The Church therefore acted as a strong element of social control