R12+Social+Structure

=Social Structure= by:marquavion moore In the 19th Century, Russia was very backward, economically and socially, compared with Western Europe.


 * Social Pyramid**:


 * Population**:
 * 1811 || - 44 million ||
 * 1863 || - 70 million ||
 * 1914 || - 155 million ||

Most people were rural peasants living under serfdom. Half were privately owned serfs, half were state owned serfs. Worked under Barshchina (free labour) or Obrok (payment in money or produce) systems. Serfdom kept Russia in an economically backward state. Large supply of free labour discouraged development of improvements. While serfdom was an inefficient system, it had not been abolished under Alexander I or Nicholas I because many landowners were in debt.
 * Serfdom**


 * Emancipation of the serfs (1861)**
 * civil rights for the serfs: status of free peasant
 * ownership of land divided between peasants and nobility
 * freed serfs were to pay redemption payments for 49 years
 * position of peasants not improved
 * provoked discontent
 * heavy dues
 * looked upon land as rightfully theirs

Russians not satisfied with the extent of Alexander’s reforms. Alexander not convinced about the virtues of liberalism – abolished serfdom because it was inefficient – later influenced by reactionary advisors.
 * Reaction**
 * 1863 Polish revolt suppressed
 * 1866 Attempt on Alexander’s life
 * 1 March 1881, Alexander II was assassinated

Growing revolutionary activity meant that repression was increased especially under Nicholas I and Alexander III. 1826 – 1834 148 peasant revolts 1835 – 1844 216 peasant revolts 1845 – 1854 348 peasant revolts

Revolutionary activity became more organised under Alexander II with the formation of different groups. The most significant was the “**Land and Liberty**” group, which split into two groups: //**Black Partition**//: wanted peaceful change //**Will of the People**//: a terrorist organisation, which held a mock trial of the Alexander II and condemned him to death. After a number of attempts, they succeeded in assassinating him in 1881.

Following his father’s assassination, Alexander III increased repression:
 * Alexander III**
 * banned revolutionary parties
 * repressed intellectuals / ideas
 * Russification of minority groups
 * repression of Jews (pogroms)

More detail: see “Growth of Industrial Development”
 * Industrial development**


 * Social change of industrial growth in Russia was too sudden.
 * Urban working class more than doubled 1865-1890. By 1900 2¼ million workers.
 * Hereditary working class – no longer displaced peasantry. True proletariat.
 * Housing was inadequate, living conditions were poor.
 * No right to strike, or trade unions. Therefore, no protection against exploitation.