Revolutionary groups and their differences

Peasants

Made up 84% of population
Forced to make redemption payments after their emancipation in 1861 - Pay gov for granted land, abolished in 1905
Farming and land usage was poor leasing to consistent famine - 1891 and 1921

Workers

4% population
Living and working conditions worsened due to Great Spurt - 1892-1903
Resulted in strikes -army called 500 times in 1902 to put down strikes

Middle class

Were largely hostile as were often highly educated ‘intelligentsia’ and were exposed to western liberal ideas
League of Liberation formed in 1904 - chaired by Milyukov

Social revolutionary

Desired a peasant socialist revolution
Reformed in 1902 and led by Chernov

Social democrats

Founded in 1895 and led by Plekhanov
Split in 1903 into Bols - Lenin and Mens - Martov

Weaknesses of opposition

All wanted revolution but were divided on how best it was carried out - Marxist theory
Low membership as Tsarist opposition groups were illegal
Pressure from Okhrana and its informants → fear of exile