question_answer

Describe the social and economic conditions in Russia before the Revolution of1917. How did Russia's participation in the First World War help create conditions for the fall of the Russian autocracy?

Answer:

(a) (a) The end of serfdom in Russia did not improve the condition of the peasants. The land, the received. was not enough to fulfill needs and the money they had to pay was exorbitant Their position was worsened by a series of famines and bad harvests which occurred in the year before 1917. Land hunger and poverty made them ready to support any movement which would give them relief. (b) The industrial workers worked under appalling conditions, toiling for long hours and were paid very low wages. Living in unhygienic conditions where crime was rampant, the workers were denied any political rights and did not have even the right to form trade unions which could improve their conditions.  (b) (i) The Tsar took Russia into the war to further his imperialist ambitions of annexing Constantinople and the Straits of Dardanelles. But it was to prove disastrous for Russia she was ill-equipped to fight a modern war. The First World War cruelly exposed Russia) weakness. (ii) Russia lacked adequate railroads to provide transportation to the army and the Russia! Industry could not adequately equip and supply the army. By February 1917,6,00,000 soldiers had been killed in the war. Russians were now weary of hardships and disheanenee by the appalling casualties they had suffered. (iii) On 8th March, a crowd lining up for bread turned violent on being told none was available Rioting spread rapidly. The Tsar ordered the army to suppress the riots but the army fail to respond. On March 15th unable to control his subjects or his army, Nicholas II abdicated the fall of the Tsar is known as the February Revolution.