Social and Political research

Politics

• Political parties were illegal before 1914.

• There were 6 main political groups in Russia between 1900 - 1917. The Bolsheviks, Kadets, Mensheviks, Octobrists, Socialist Revolutionaries and the Tsarists.

• Tsar or otherwise known as Tsar Nicholas II was the emperor of Russia before 1917. Throughout this time people began to support the working class and there advance.

• It was a time of many political views, but a time for change for the peasants. They were gaining more rights and began to make there voice heard.

• The new Russia was beginning to make its way across the country. Old traditional Russia was fading.

Life in Russia

• Life in Russia in the early 1900's was extremely repulsive, especially for the peasants. The conditions the peasants lived in were difficult, poor and unhygienic.

• houses were cramped and lacked insulation making the peasants prone to diseases like pneumonia which were lethal at that time

• The peasants had very little to no rights. It was like they were freed slaves. They could not strike to improve the conditions because the Tsar's loyal army would shut them up. They were impoverished, oppressed and despised. The peasants were not regarded as human beings and had no say in how taxes were spent.

This is why the working class wanted to gain more freedom and rights. It was a primitive way to live which emphasised the fact that Russia, although very big and full of rich resources, was very backward.