The Russian Revolution
The Peasants
 The peasant population grew from 50-75 million from 1860-
1900. Resulted in growing shortage of land
 Until 1906, peasants did not have right to own their own
land
 2 out of 3 households were unable to feed themselves w/o
going into debt
Changes Among Peasantry
 The literacy rate in Russia rose from 21% to 40% between
1900 and 1914
 By 1904, 9 of 10 peasant recruits into the army from
Moscow and St. Petersburg were considered literate
 By 1911, more than half of all peasant children were
attending primary school
Issues of Concern (Among Bolsheviks
and Mensheviks)
 Political Freedoms
 Education
 The Rights of Workers
 Nationalities and Minorities
Political Freedoms
 Sovereignty of people in elected assembly
 Universal suffrage (right to vote)
 Regional and Local self government
 Unrestricted freedom of speech and the press
 Elimination of class privileges
Education
 Free and comprehensive education for all children at
government expense
 Provisions from state for food, clothes, and school supplies
for poor children
The Rights of Workers
 Limit working day to 8 hrs.
 Complete ban on overtime work
 Prohibition of child labor
 State insurance for workers against old age
 Criminal responsibility of employers who violate laws
intended to protect workers
Nationalities and Minorities
 Elimination of class privilege by race or nationality
 Right to learn in one’s own language
 National self-determination for all nations