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Social problems:

The great bulk of the Russian people were peasants. Even the industrial workers were only one or two generations out of the villages at most.

The peasants were still angry about the terms of the emancipation, they were freed, but they had to pay for their freedom, and they were even more closely bound to the village by the terms of their repayments.

The industrial workers were angry because they had to work long hours, for low pay, and many of them lived in dormitories. As the majority were born peasants, they still retained a lot of the anger of the peasantry.

The Intelligentsia - the lawyers, teachers and civic administrators were also radicalised. They objected to the Autocracy and the arbitrary rule of the Tsars.

The aristocracy had not adapted to the new industrialisation policies. Very few owned businesses or factories. Most relied on their estates for their income. But, after the peasants were emancipated the aristocracy lost their free labour, this, coupled with a global downturn in grain prices, saw many of them lose their fortunes - see the Chekhov play - The Cherry Orchard.

Economic problems:

The country was still industrialising. The state was the main driver in this programme: it provided the backing for the loans to build the factories, it were the main purchaser of industrial goods, and was the main supplier to the factories. However, the country still relied on agricultural output for its exports.

Political problems:

The country was, until 1906, an autocracy - the Tsar ruled without parliament. There were local governmental organisations - City councils and, in the country, Zemstvos - a combination of councils and courts. However, all political parties were banned, anyone suggesting political reform could find themselves in exile in Siberia or out of the country. The ban on parties added to the radicalisation of all sectors of society.

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12y ago

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