Reading Questions
How did the Tsar rule Russia during industrialization?
How were the peasants treated?
Why did Russia Industrialize?
Who led the industrialization effort?
How did industrialization affect the middle class?
How did industrialization affect the working class?
How were the peasants treated?
Why did Russia Industrialize?
Who led the industrialization effort?
How did industrialization affect the middle class?
How did industrialization affect the working class?
Russian Government prior to Industrialization
Absolute Rule and the Peasants
Russia remained the only absolute monarchy by 1750. Their government did not have a parliament, they had no political parties and no elections. The state in Russia exercised more control over people’s lives than any other state in the world. Landed boyars were still the officers in the army and government officials while most Russians remained peasants unable to leave the land of their masters until 1861 and were greatly exploited. Culturally, nobles were westernized and spoke French and English while the peasants were mostly Orthodox and still retain some pre-Christian beliefs like spirits, spells, curses, and magic. Russia lost the Crimean War in 1853-1856 against the Ottomans, French and British pushing the Tsar to Industrialize. Once again Russia was trying to catch up to the West.
Russia remained the only absolute monarchy by 1750. Their government did not have a parliament, they had no political parties and no elections. The state in Russia exercised more control over people’s lives than any other state in the world. Landed boyars were still the officers in the army and government officials while most Russians remained peasants unable to leave the land of their masters until 1861 and were greatly exploited. Culturally, nobles were westernized and spoke French and English while the peasants were mostly Orthodox and still retain some pre-Christian beliefs like spirits, spells, curses, and magic. Russia lost the Crimean War in 1853-1856 against the Ottomans, French and British pushing the Tsar to Industrialize. Once again Russia was trying to catch up to the West.
State Sponsored Industrialization
Similar to Japan, change was initiated by the state. Russia focused on railroads and heavy industry. They also depended heavily on foreign investment. By 1900, Russia was 4th in steel production and at the top in coal, textile, and oil production. Large urban centers included Moscow, Kiev, and St, Petersburg. Although only 5% of the population, there was a rising working class in these cities. These workers were becoming more radical.
The Tsars government was able to realize the Trans Siberian Railway. The Trans-Siberian Railway has directly connected Moscow with Vladivostok since 1916. Russians began to receive cheap grain from growers in Siberia. It also helped transport millions of peasants from the rural areas to the cites. The railway successfully integrated Siberia to the rest of Russia as well as connected Europe to Asia.
Similar to Japan, change was initiated by the state. Russia focused on railroads and heavy industry. They also depended heavily on foreign investment. By 1900, Russia was 4th in steel production and at the top in coal, textile, and oil production. Large urban centers included Moscow, Kiev, and St, Petersburg. Although only 5% of the population, there was a rising working class in these cities. These workers were becoming more radical.
The Tsars government was able to realize the Trans Siberian Railway. The Trans-Siberian Railway has directly connected Moscow with Vladivostok since 1916. Russians began to receive cheap grain from growers in Siberia. It also helped transport millions of peasants from the rural areas to the cites. The railway successfully integrated Siberia to the rest of Russia as well as connected Europe to Asia.
Unrest by the Middle Class
Economic change was not accompanied by political change. There was a growing middle class of businessmen and professionals. Many of the educated middle class objected to the absolute rule of They sought greater involvement in government (via democracy), but depended on the state for contracts and for suppressing the growing radicalism of workers.
Economic change was not accompanied by political change. There was a growing middle class of businessmen and professionals. Many of the educated middle class objected to the absolute rule of They sought greater involvement in government (via democracy), but depended on the state for contracts and for suppressing the growing radicalism of workers.
Unrest by the Working Class
Workers were becoming radicalized due to the working conditions of the factories which were similar to those of other workers around the world. Workers in Russia faced 13-hour workdays and ruthless discipline by factory overseers. Shopfloors were crammed with dangerous machinery: there were frequent accidents. Yet most workers were denied a legal right to insurance and, if they lost an eye or limb, could expect no more than a few roubles' compensation. Workers' strikes were illegal. There were no legal trade unions until 1905. Many factory owners treated workers like their serfs.These conditions and having no unions to resolve them resulted in large nationwide strikes.
Workers were becoming radicalized due to the working conditions of the factories which were similar to those of other workers around the world. Workers in Russia faced 13-hour workdays and ruthless discipline by factory overseers. Shopfloors were crammed with dangerous machinery: there were frequent accidents. Yet most workers were denied a legal right to insurance and, if they lost an eye or limb, could expect no more than a few roubles' compensation. Workers' strikes were illegal. There were no legal trade unions until 1905. Many factory owners treated workers like their serfs.These conditions and having no unions to resolve them resulted in large nationwide strikes.
1905 Revolution
In 1905, because of overconfidence, logistical problems in incompetent leadership, the Russians were defeated by the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war. That along with the peasant’s exploitation, the worker’s conditions, and the middle classes seeking political reforms led to mass protests. The protests were Led by Gerogy Gapon who wanted unions and better working conditions for the factory workers. The protests included over 100 thousand workers including women and children walking towards the Tsar’s palace. The Tsar had the army fire on the crowd killing some of the protestors. Estimates range from 96 to 4,000 killed. A conservative estimate is about 1000. Although the Tsar was not at the Winter Palace and did not give the order for the troops to fire, he was blamed by many for the for the way the crisis had been handled.
In 1905, because of overconfidence, logistical problems in incompetent leadership, the Russians were defeated by the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese war. That along with the peasant’s exploitation, the worker’s conditions, and the middle classes seeking political reforms led to mass protests. The protests were Led by Gerogy Gapon who wanted unions and better working conditions for the factory workers. The protests included over 100 thousand workers including women and children walking towards the Tsar’s palace. The Tsar had the army fire on the crowd killing some of the protestors. Estimates range from 96 to 4,000 killed. A conservative estimate is about 1000. Although the Tsar was not at the Winter Palace and did not give the order for the troops to fire, he was blamed by many for the for the way the crisis had been handled.
Reforms Taken Back
The Tsar reluctantly gave in to creating a Constitution, legalizing political parties and unions and creating the Duma- a representative government. The Duma was only advisory to the Tsar. By 1914, many of the reforms were taken back. People had no voice. Many felt that revolution was inevitable. Only in Russia was industrialization associated with violent social revolution. To understand the Russian Revolution see the site on Unit 7.
The Tsar reluctantly gave in to creating a Constitution, legalizing political parties and unions and creating the Duma- a representative government. The Duma was only advisory to the Tsar. By 1914, many of the reforms were taken back. People had no voice. Many felt that revolution was inevitable. Only in Russia was industrialization associated with violent social revolution. To understand the Russian Revolution see the site on Unit 7.