Issues in Russia under Tsardom

Social problems

• 1891 Famine where 400,000 died

• Peasantry made up 80% of the population

1905 schemes for peasants

• Schemes to encourage peasants to buy their own land

• By 1915 ownership from 20% in 1905 to ~50%

Working class issues, rights

• No right to strike

• Lena River strike in 1912 in Siveram the government used troops to shoot them, 200 killed

• Over 2000 strikes in 1913, increaed in 1917 after WW1

• Trade unions only allowed after 1905

Aristocracy, controversy

• Made up 1.5% of society but owned 25% of the land

Tsar’s rule over Russia and its government

• Until 1905, Russia only country without a Parliament

• Tsar was an autocrat even in 1917

• Censorship carried out by the state, Church and Police

• Okhrana had unlimited powers, carried out raids, arrest and ensured exile or imprisonment of anyone suspected of anti-tsarism

Why did Russia join WW1? Alliances

• 1894 Russia allied with France

• Germany argued that the alliance made an aggressive encirclement around Germany

• By tradition, Russia was protector of the Slavd, therefore Nicholas II felt obligated to support Serbia in 1914

Why did Russia join WW1? Territorial expansion

• Wanted to increase Polish territories at the expense of Germany and Austria-Hungary

• Russia and Austria-Hungary were contending for control of the Balkans

• Russia wanted to win control of the Turkish Straits, its only access to the Mediterranean sea and southern trade routes

Why did Russia join WW1? Power

• Germany went to war with Russia to eliminate threat as Russia had a growing economy and military

• Germany’s strength was becoming concerning to other powers, Germany was able to defeat France in a short war in 1870