HIST191 Lecture Notes - Autocracy, Bourgeoisie, Red Army
6 Mar 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Russia at beginning of 20th century: country with backward economy and archaic political system. The czar, the ruler, supposed to have strong personality to rule. Last czar nicolas ii (1894-1917): weakest of all 3 centuries. Police state: no constitution (freedom of speech/press), parliament, civil liberties or political parties: more rights than everyone else. Middle class kept away from political power by czar and aristocracy. 80% of population are peasants: victims of unequal land distribution. Factory workers: no labor legislation, had to accept conditions of factory owners, trade unions/strikes outlawed. One language: russia: used in education, courts, politics. Intelligentsia: poor opportunities for upward social mobility, most russian intellects were liberals. Small proportion was evolutionists, wanted to abolish system. Program of the opposition: 3 revolutions in 20th centuries: 1st in 1905, 2 in 1917, goals of all opposition parties. The power should pass to a parliament elected by universal and equal vote.
